Archived – Non-cod groundfish species in the Gulf of St. Lawrence (NAFO Areas 4RST, 3Pn).

Species and Area

Non-cod groundfish species in the Gulf of St. Lawrence (NAFO Areas 4RST, 3Pn).

Dates of season (subject to change)

The groundfish fisheries management cycle in the Gulf of St. Lawrence extends from May 15th to May 14th the following year. However, to ensure an orderly and effective fishery, seasonal opening dates may vary based on directed species, fleet sector and geographical area. For specific season dates, please contact your regional or area DFO Resource Management branch to obtain a copy of the appropriate Conservation Harvesting Plan.

Total Allowable Catches and Sharing Arrangements (if applicable)

For the following fisheries, TACs remain unchanged for 2010: 4T American Plaice, 4RST Greenland Halibut, Redfish (Unit 1), 4T Winter Flounder, 4RST Witch Flounder and 4T Yellowtail Flounder. The 4T White Hake fishery remains under moratorium in 2010.

The 4RST Atlantic Halibut TAC will be increased from 475 t to 600 t.

The following table is a summary of the 2010 TACs.

Stocks	2010 TACs
4T American Plaice	500 t
4RST Atlantic Halibut	600 t
4RST Greenland Halibut	4,500 t
Redfish – Unit 1	2,000 t (index fishery)
4T White Hake	moratorium
4T Winter Flounder	1,000 t
4RST Witch Flounder	1,000 t
4T Yellowtail Flounder	300 t

Management Measures

Attached is a summary table of the Conservation Harvesting Plans (CHP) outlining the main management measures for these fisheries.

In addition to the management measures outlined in the table, a change this year will apply to most groundfish fisheries in the Gulf. As was indicated in the Notice to Fish Harvesters on May 27, the minimum legal size for Atlantic Halibut is increased from 81 cm to 85 cm. This conservation measure requires that all Atlantic Halibut catches less than 85 cm, whether directed or caught as bycatch in other groundfish fisheries, must be released as specified in conditions of licence. Sharing arrangements for this fishery, including transfers, will remain as last year.

As in 2009, the Minister maintains her decision to not authorize a re-entry of the mobile gear fleet in the Gulf of St. Lawrence Greenland Halibut fishery.

Copies of the Conservation Harvesting Plans (CHP) which include detailed and specific measures for each species of groundfish are available from DFO offices. These measures, combined with responsible fishing practices, should ensure that the conservation goals are met. However, if the fishery is not conducted in an orderly manner, the Department may implement additional management measures or controls in these fisheries.

Licensed fishers who want to participate in fishing activities for species listed in the table must obtain new conditions of licence from their local DFO Licensing Service Centre. For fisheries that are already ongoing, new conditions of licence will be available starting on June 4, 2010.

Management Measures for 2010-2011 Fishing Season Minimum Requirements for Groundfish Species Other Than Cod

Species	Test Fishery prior to opening	By – catch of cod (1)	Hail-out Prior to departure	Observer coverage (2)	DMP	Small Fish Protocol All species	Gear	Season & quota (details in CHP)
Redfish Unit 1 Index fishery MG	No	5% per trip	Yes	Details in CHP	100%	Yes	90mm	June 15 to Oct 31, 2010 2,000 t
Winter Flounder 4RST FG	4RS - Yes 4T – Yes, in areas where there is high probability of cod by-catch.	4R - 20% per trip 4ST - 5% per trip	No	5%	100%	Yes	Gillnet 4RS – 165mm 4S1 – 140mm 4T – 145mm	May 15 to Dec 31, 2010 April 1 to May 14, 2011 1,000 t (mg & fg)
Winter Flounder 4T MG	4T - Yes, in areas where there is high probability of cod by-catch.	10% in 4T2a, 4T3a 4T6, 4T7 and 4T8	Yes	10% in 4T2a, 4T3a, 4T6, 4T7 25% in 4T8	100%	Yes	145mm sq .	Details in CHP 1,000 t (mg & fg)
Yellowtail Flounder 4T MG Magdalen Island directed fishery only	No	10% per trip	Yes	10% in 4T2a	100%	Yes	140 mm sq.	May 15 to Dec 31, 2010 April 1 to May 14, 2011 300 t
American Plaice 4T Witch Flounder 4RST MG	Yes, in areas where there is high probability of cod by-catch.	4R - 10 % weekly 4ST - 20% per trip	Yes	25%	100%	Yes	4R 155mm square 4ST 155 mm square or diamond	ITQ: May 15 to Dec 31, 2010 Competitive: Details in the CHP Am. Plaice: 500 t Witch Flounder: 1,000 t
Atlantic Halibut 4RST FG	No	100 lbs or 30% per trip, whichever is greater	Yes	10-30% Details in CHP	100%	Yes	Longline 15.4mm hook	Details in CHP 600 mt
Greenland Halibut 4RST FG	No	4RST – 10% daily	Details in CHP	Details in CHP	100%	Yes	4RST: Gillnets NFLD: 152 mm min. QC: 152 to 165 mm square mesh 4RST: Longline QC: 12.6 mm hook	Details in CHP 4,500 t

Links to other information

Gulf Groundfish information website:
http://www.glf.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/e0008344