Prince Edward Island Fishermen's Assoc.

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Fisheries and Oceans Canada Gulf, Québec, Maritimes and Newfoundland & Labrador Regions

Notice to Fish Harvesters

June 12, 2019

EKME #4053760

MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR ATLANTIC HALIBUT IN THE GULF OF ST. LAWRENCE

Moncton, Québec, Dartmouth, St. John’s – The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) today announces the management plan for Atlantic halibut in the Gulf of St. Lawrence Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) divisions 4RST. A Total Allowable Catch (TAC) of 1,492 t for Atlantic halibut 4RST is established for a one year period from May 15, 2019 until May 14, 2020.

A quota of 60 t has been identified under section 10 of the Fisheries Act to pay the costs associated with an annual scientific longline survey and tagging program. This allocation will be taken off the top of the 2019-20 TAC. The remaining quota (1,432 t) is distributed based on the sharing formula announced in 2016 following the review of the inshore fixed gear fleet shares.

The inshore fixed-gear fleet sector will receive a transfer of 92.5 % (355 t) of the mobile gear fleets’ allocation, which is distributed equally between the eight inshore fixed-gear fleets involved in the directed Atlantic halibut fishery. As a result, the 2019-2020 initial allocations per fleet (calculated before quota reconciliation or carry-forward of previously uncaught quota where applicable) are as follows:

Fleets Allocations (t)

Eastern New Brunswick 96.08

Gulf Nova Scotia 64.54

Gulf Prince Edward Island 59.04

Western Newfoundland 364.23

Quebec North Shore 126.73

Gaspésie 484.02

Magdalen Islands 98.78

Scotia Fundy 60.74

Mobile Gear ˂ 19.81 m 12.58

Fixed Gear 19.81 m – 30.48 m 49.10

Mobile Gear 19.81 m – 30.48 m 3.68

Vessels ˃ 30.48 m 12.58

Scientific survey 60

Total 1,492 2

For more information: Mario Gaudet Senior Regional Advisor Fisheries and Oceans Canada Moncton, NB 506-851-3526 Steve Trottier Senior Regional Advisor Fisheries and Oceans Canada Québec, QC 418-648-4946 Shelley Dwyer Senior Regional Advisor Fisheries and Oceans Canada St. John’s, NL 709-772-2080 Penny Doherty Senior Regional Advisor Fisheries and Oceans Canada Dartmouth, NS 902-402-5508