Prince Edward Island Fishermen's Assoc.

Charlottetown, PEI– July 14, 2020

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) today announces that fishing will be authorized for the 2020 Prince Edward Island (PEI) Bluefin Tuna season.

MANAGEMENT MEASURES:

Each licence holder will be issued one tag at the beginning of the season.
Licence holders with no fishing effort by September 30, 2020 will not be eligible to participate in the second opening of the fishery in October, unless they hold a Mexican tag distributed by the PEIFA.
Licence holders eligible for a reallocation tag must use one tag by September 30, 2020. A reallocation tag can be picked up at any time prior to September 30, 2020 once the first fish has been landed.
Licence holders eligible for a reallocation tag that having fishing effort but did not use their first tag by September 30, 2020, will be eligible to retain their first tag.
Licence holders in a partnership must land two tuna by September 30, 2020. A reallocation tag can be picked up at any time prior to September 30, 2020 once the first fish has been landed.
Partnerships will be valid for the whole season, unless DFO is notified otherwise.
The Prince Edward Island Bluefin Tuna fleet will have access to a portion of quota transferred from Mexico to Canada.
For licence holders to hail out, they must call the Vessel Hail-Out System at 1-800-561- 2467, at least 3 hours prior to departure for any fishing trip. Licences holders must select an At Sea Observer Company in the IVR system, even though an observer will not be deployed.
Licence holders should note that having a Bluefin Tuna tag in your possession allows access to fish but does not guarantee your quota.