Prince Edward Island Fishermen's Assoc.

Notice to PEI Atlantic Halibut Fish Harvesters

2024 PEI HALIBUT REGISTRATION

The Department of Fisheries & Oceans Canada (DFO) will be announcing the details of the 2024 commercial PEI Atlantic Halibut fishery soon.

The PEIFA has requested the same quota as 2023, without the 14% reduction in PEI halibut quota announced previously this year with the reopening of the redfish fishery. We are waiting for response from the Federal Minister of Fisheries & Oceans and Members of Parliament on this important request.

The recommended management plan is based on individual catch limits for each PEI groundfish harvester who registers for the fishery. Not registering or participating in the 2024 halibut fishery will not prevent an eligible harvester from participating in this fishery in future years.

The anticipated dates of the season are as follows with confirmation by DFO anticipated soon.

· 1^st opening: July 16^th – 19^th

· 2^nd opening: July 30^th – August 2^nd

· 3^rd opening: September 10^th – 13^th

· 4^th opening: September 24^th – 27^th

· Reallocation fishery (if required): October 21^st - 27^th

Other management measures are expected to be similar to last year.

DFO has advised that Groundfish Fishing Areas 4T5 and 4T7 will be open to all registered PEI fixed gear license holders for the 2024 fishing season.

Fishers wanting to participate in the 2024 PEI Commercial Halibut Fishery are required to register with the PEI Fishermen’s Association during the ten-day online registration period.

~ REGISTRATION DETAILS ~

Registration Dates: Friday, June 21^st until 4:30PM, Tuesday, July 2^nd, 2024

Fee: $250.00 including HST. The fee covers fleet observer coverage and contribution towards groundfish fleet improvement activities.

Payment Method: Online payment with credit card (Visa, Mastercard or AMEX). Contact the PEIFA Office if you require another method of payment.

How to Register: Fishers can register online from June 21^st to July 2^nd at www.peifa.org. Click the tab “Registrations & Renewal”, then “PEI Halibut Fishery Registration” to enter registration info and the secure link for payment will follow OR register in person or over the phone through the PEIFA by calling 902-566-4050 Ext #1 or #2 from Monday to Friday 8:30-4:30 PM.

Required Information: Fisher’s name (and company name if applicable), phone #, FIN #, homeport, vessel name, VRN#, and Groundfish license #. Additional info required for at-sea observer coverage’s vessel safety checklist includes: the # of persons on board including Captain, # of inflatable life rafts onboard (and # persons raft is capable of accommodating), # of life rafts other than inflatable, # of life jackets onboard.

Registrations after 4:30 PM, Tuesday, July 2^nd, 2024, will NOT be accepted.

There will be NO REFUND on Registration Fees.

The list of registered fishers will be submitted to DFO, and the fishery will open via variation order for those fishers. The number of registered fishers is important to determine the individual catch limit per fisher for the 2024 PEI Commercial halibut fishery only.

For further information on the registration contact the PEIFA at 902-566-4050 Ext #1 or #2. A copy of the 2024 Halibut Conservation Harvesting Plan will be posted on the website at www.peifa.org when DFO makes this information available. For more information on the management plan, contact Ben Moore, DFO Chief Resource Management at Benjamin.Moore@dfo-mpo.gc.ca