Archived – Harp seal competitive fleet of the North Shore Area - Quebec region

Species and Area

Harp seal competitive fleet of the North Shore Area - Quebec region

Dates of season

Fisheries and Oceans Canada advises that according to variation orders 2008-009 et 2010-Q-305, the Harp seal hunt for classes of fishing licences for seal Q200 to Q250 : seal licence personal use and commercial use will close on May 6, 2010 at 24h00 (midnight) in Sealing Areas 4 to 33.

Total Allowable Catches (TAC)

The total Allowable Catches for the competitive fleet of the North Shore Area is 6 901 harp seals.

Management Measures

Seal hunting methods

The three-step killing process, as described in the Marine Mammal Regulations and in the sealers’ license conditions, will remain in effect for 2010.
A requirement is added to the 2010 license conditions. It prohibits using, possessing or carrying on board ammunition that have been altered or modified in any manner.

Licence classes

In 2010, the licence classes used to open and close the hunt on the North Shore Area are as follows:

Q200 : Seal licence – commercial use held by a person residing in a community located between Tadoussac and Sept-Iles including these two communities;

Q201 : Seal licence – commercial use held by a person residing in a community located between Moisie and Natashquan, including these two communities and Anticosti Island;

Q202 : Seal licence – commercial use held by a person residing in a community located between Kegaska and Blanc-Sablon including these two communities;

Q220 : Seal licence – commercial use held by a person who does not reside in a community located between Tadoussac and Sept-Iles including these two communities but who participates in the seal fishery from a vessel whose master resides immediately adjacent to one of these communities;

Q221 : Seal licence – commercial use held by a person who does not reside in a community located between Moisie and Natashquan including these two communities and Anticosti Island, but who participates in the seal fishery from a vessel whose master resides immediately adjacent to one of these communities;

Q222 : Seal licence – commercial use held by a person who does not reside in a community located between Kegaska and Blanc-Sablon including these two communities but who participates in the seal fishery from a vessel whose master resides immediately adjacent to one of these communities;

Q230 : Seal licence – personal use held by a person residing in a community located between Tadoussac and Sept-Iles including these two communities;

Q231 : Seal licence – personal use held by a person residing in a community located between Moisie and Natashquan including these two communities and Anticosti Island;

Q232 : Seal licence – personal use held by a person residing in a community located between Kegaska and Blanc-Sablon including these two communities;

Q250 : Sealing licence – aboriginal communal issued in accordance with the Aboriginal Communal fishing licences regulations and held by a aboriginal organization residing between Tadoussac and Blanc-Sablon including these two communities.

Please take note that it is the sealer’s responsibility to identify his licence class, in order to assure that he ceases all sealing activities when DFO will announce that the hunt is closed for this licence class.

Closing of the hunt

In order to ensure that the quota is not surpassed, DFO will close the hunt as soon as its analysis shows that the quota will potentially be reached. Sealers must cease their activities as soon as the closure is announced, normally via the Coast Guard or the DFO staff, which include the Fishery Officers.

Issuance of licences

A freeze on the issuance of new licenses remains in effect for the 2010 season, except for personal use licences which may be issued to individuals who meet the eligibility criteria for such a licence.

Hail out

All vessels taking part in hunting have to hail out prior the departure as stipulated in licence conditions.

Hail in

All vessels taking part in hunting have to hail in as stipulated in licence conditions.
Identification and use of principal and auxiliary boats

Principal boat:

Any boat been driven by an engine of 10 HP or more and that will be used for seal hunting must be registered at the MPO.

Auxiliary boat:

Any boat (including more 10 HP) transported on board principal boat will be considered as being an auxiliary boat and the registration of this one will not be obligatory. The maximum authorized is two auxiliary boats as stipulated in licence conditions.

Vessels leasing:

Rental of vessels outside the Quebec Region will not be authorized.

Links to other information

• Minister Shea Increases Quota for Atlantic Seal Harvest
• Seals and Sealing in Canada