***DFO BAIT FISHERY ANNOUNCEMENT***
The PEIFA listened to the bait fishery announcement from DFO at 10 am today. Below you will find a summary of the announcement along with the link to the full media release. We are aware there are still numerous questions to be answered and the PEIFA will reach out to DFO to seek the answers you are looking for. In the meantime, if you have questions please direct them to Lori Cuddy at DFO: (902) 629-9782
“Today, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, Mike Kelloway, announced the opening of a 470 tonne (t) Atlantic mackerel personal-use bait fishery this spring along with the continued closure of the Atlantic mackerel commercial fishery in Atlantic Canada and Quebec for the 2024 season.
The 470t Atlantic mackerel 2024 bait fishery will be released in two equal parts. By releasing the quota in this way, harvesters from different regions will have equitable access to Atlantic mackerel as the stock migrates through the waters of Atlantic Canada and Quebec.
Fish caught under a bait licence are intended for personal-use and are not permitted to be sold, traded or bartered. This Atlantic mackerel bait fishery will help licence holders supply their other fisheries with bait without jeopardizing the ongoing rebuilding of this stock.”