Prince Edward Island Fishermen's Assoc.

2014 BLUEFIN TUNA FISHING
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

Charlottetown, PEI – The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), Gulf Region, wishes to advise that the bluefin tuna commercial fishery for Prince Edward Island licence holders will open at 5:00 a.m. on July 30, 2014, and will close at 12:00 a.m. (midnight) on September 30, 2014. If there is remaining quota, a reallocation draw will be held as in recent years. The season will be extended until the remaining quota approaches zero tonnes.

New Management Measures

Partnerships: In an effort to increase the viability of the fishery, partnerships will be permitted in 2014.
• The partnership arrangements will be valid from July 30 to September 30 only.
• To be eligible to enter into a partnership arrangement, fish harvesters must have a commercial tuna licence and be eligible to receive a DFO issued tuna tag.
• A maximum of two licence holders will be permitted to create a partnership.
• Both fish harvesters must be onboard the vessel while fishing for tuna.
• Once a partnership is created, it cannot be reversed until it expires after September 30, 2014.
• Fish harvesters who want to create a partnership must notify DFO, Resource Management, PEI Area in person or by phone (566-7844) to provide information regarding who will be involved in the partnership, who the primary licence holder will be and what vessel will be used.

Tags: Tuna tags and ICCAT forms will be available at the DFO area office beginning July 25.
Fish harvesters are advised to call DFO at 902-566-7844 or visit the DFO PEI area office to pay for their tag by credit card. Please be advised that a two day processing time may be required to process the payment before tags can be issued or made available. Tags can be picked up at the DFO area office in Charlottetown or sent via courier.

Licence conditions will be available on the National Online Licencing System (NOLS) on or before July 28, 2014.

All other management measures remain as per the previous management plan.

For more information:

Chris Mills
A/Chief, Resource Management
Fisheries and Oceans Canada Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
902 566-7807 Carter Russell
Aboriginal Coordinator, Resource Management
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
902 368-0740