Prince Edward Island Fishermen's Assoc.

2011 AND 2012 TOTAL ALLOWABLE CATCHES
FOR NON-COD GROUNDFISH SPECIES IN THE GULF OF ST. LAWRENCE

Moncton, Québec City, Dartmouth, Corner Brook – May 13, 2011 - The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) today announced the total allowable catches (TAC) for non-cod groundfish species in the Gulf of St. Lawrence (NAFO Divisions 3Pn, 4RST).
For the following fisheries, the TAC remains unchanged: 4T American Plaice, 4RST Greenland Halibut, Redfish (Unit 1), 4T Winter Flounder, 4RST Witch Flounder and 4T Yellowtail Flounder. The 4T White Hake fishery remains under moratorium.
The 4RST Atlantic Halibut TAC will be increased from 600 t to 680 t. As in 2010, 85% of the mobile gear Atlantic halibut by-catch quota will be re-allocated and equally shared amongst the eight eligible fixed gear fleets. For 2011 only, the 80 t increase in Atlantic halibut will be shared equally amongst the eight eligible fixed gear fleets and the Department will undertake a review of geographical fleet shares in Atlantic halibut before the 2012 season.
With the exception of Unit 1 Redfish and 4T American Plaice, which are both being considered for listing on Canada’s Species at Risk Act, all other TAC will be set for a period of two years, until May 14, 2013. However, if after the first year important changes are noted in stock status, the TAC may be re-evaluated.
The following table is a summary of the 2011 and 2012 TAC.
Stocks TAC
4T American Plaice* 500 t
4RST Atlantic Halibut 680 t
4RST Greenland Halibut 4,500 t
Redfish – Unit 1* 2,000 t
(index fishery)
4T White Hake moratorium
4T Winter Flounder 1,000 t
4RST Witch Flounder 1,000 t
4T Yellowtail Flounder
(directed fishery in Magdalen Islands) 300 t
*One-year TAC (2011 only)

All other quota sharing decisions and groundfish access will remain the same as in 2010.

The Department is proceeding with the implementation of the Quota Reconciliation program as announced last year. As such, any quota overruns incurred during the last season will be deducted, by a factor of one-to-one, on this season's quotas. This measure applies to individual quotas as well as fleet quotas.
Attached is a summary table of the Conservation Harvesting Plans (CHP) outlining the main management measures for certain groundfish fisheries.
Copies of the Conservation Harvesting Plans (CHP) which include detailed and specific measures for each species of groundfish are available from DFO offices. These measures, combined with responsible fishing practices, should ensure that the conservation goals are met. However, if the fishery is not conducted in an orderly manner, the Department may implement additional management measures or controls in these fisheries.
Licensed fishers who want to participate in fishing activities for species listed in the table must obtain new conditions of licence from their local DFO Licensing Service Centre.
The northern and southern Gulf of St. Lawrence Cod TACs and management measures will be announced at a later date.

For more information please contact:
Luc Légère
Senior Advisor, Groundfish
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Moncton, NB
(506) 851-2382 Dario Lemelin
Senior Advisor, Groundfish
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Québec, QC
(418) 648-4946
Donald Ball
Area Chief, Resource Management
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Corner Brook, NL
(709) 637-4310 Verna Docherty
Senior Advisor, Groundfish
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Dartmouth, NS
(902) 426-4669

MANAGEMENT MEASURES FOR 2011-2012 FISHING SEASON
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR GROUNDFISH SPECIES OTHER THAN COD

Species Test Fishery prior to opening By – catch of cod 1 Hail-out
Prior to departure Observer coverage 2 DMP Small Fish Protocol
All species Gear Season & TAC
(details in CHP)
Redfish Unit 1
Index fishery MG No 5% per trip Yes Details in CHP 100% Yes 90mm diamond June 15 to Oct 31, 2011
2,000 t
Winter Flounder 4RST FG
4RS - Yes
4T – Yes, in areas where there is high probability of cod by-catch. 4R - 20% daily
4ST - 5% daily
No
5%
100% Yes Gillnet
4RS – 165mm
4S1 – 140mm
4T – 140mm 4R: July 15 – September 30
4ST: May 15 to Dec 31, 2011
April 1 to May 14, 2012

1,000 t (mg & fg)
Winter Flounder 4T MG 4T - Yes, in areas where there is high probability of cod by-catch.
10% in 4T2a, 4T3a 4T6, 4T7 and 4T8 per trip
Yes 10% in 4T2a, 4T3a, 4T6, 4T7
25% in 4T8 100% Yes 145mm square Details in CHP

1,000 t (mg & fg)
Yellowtail Flounder 4T MG
Magdalen Island directed fishery only No 10% per trip Yes 10% in 4T2a 100% Yes 140 mm square May 15 to Dec 31, 2011

April 1 to May 14, 2012
300 t
American Plaice 4T
Witch Flounder 4RST MG
Yes, in areas where there is high probability of cod by-catch. 4R - 10 % weekly
4ST - 20% per trip
Yes 25%
100% Yes 4R 155mm square
4ST 155 mm square or diamond ITQ:
May 15 to Dec 31, 2011

Competitive:
Details in the CHP

Am. Plaice: 500 t
Witch Flounder: 1,000 t
Atlantic Halibut 4RST FG
No 45 kg or 30% per trip, whichever is greater Yes 10-30%
Details in CHP 100% Yes Longline
15.4mm hook Details in CHP

720 t
Greenland Halibut 4RST FG
No 4RST – 10% daily Details in CHP Details in CHP 100% Yes 4RST: Gillnets
152 to 165 mm square mesh

4ST: Longline
12.6 mm hook Details in CHP

4,500 t
1 Groundfish Fishing will be permitted in fishing zones where fishers have demonstrated that Cod is under the specified limits on by-catch.
2 Coverage could increase in problem areas.

NB: Refer to Conservation Harvesting Plans (CHP) for more details on the management measures

Please see the image below for the information above in table format.