Archived – Groundfish - British Columbia

Species and Area

All Groundfish Species – British Columbia (Pacific Region)

Dates of season (subject to change)

February 21, 2010 to February 20, 2011 with the exception of:

Halibut opens March 6, 2010 and closes November 15, 2010
Lingcod opens April 1, 2010 and closes November 15, 2010

Total Allowable Catches and Sharing Arrangements (if applicable)

The commercial total allowable catch for various groundfish species are allocated between the different groundfish sectors. Formal discussions between the hook and line rockfish (ZN), halibut and trawl sectors were initiated in 2000 to establish individual rockfish species allocations between the sectors to modify 1997’s “92/8” trawl/hook and line allocation. An allocation also exists between the sablefish and trawl sectors. The agreed to allocation of groundfish species between the commercial sectors can be found in the management plan available at: http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/commercial/ground-fond/index-eng.htm.

Management Measures

Individual vessel quotas (IVQ) were introduced the into commercial sablefish fishery in 1990, to the commercial halibut fishery in 1991, and the trawl fishery in 1997. The trawl sector had previously implemented 100% dockside monitoring coverage in 1994, and 100% at-sea observer coverage in 1996. Comprehensive monitoring requirements have been deemed a keystone of effective management, by both the Department and industry.

Improved monitoring standards and IVQs in the trawl, halibut and sablefish sectors laid the groundwork for the introduction of important management measures adopted in all of British Columbia’s commercial groundfish fisheries in 2006. The Commercial Groundfish Integration Pilot Project (CGIPP), developed in partnership with the commercial industry, has improved the management of the groundfish resources in British Columbia. This was achieved through a wide range of measures including, improved monitoring, reducing discard, making harvesters accountable for their non-directed catch, and increased stewardship of the resource amongst harvesters.

Vessels are individually accountable for their catch, both directed and all non-directed. Subject to species, area, time and gear closures, along with vessel quota caps and trip limits, vessels will be permitted to land non-directed catch. Vessels are required to acquire Individual Vessel Quota (IVQ) to account for mortality of all legal/marketable sized groundfish that are managed under species and area-specific TACs. A vessel's catch is calculated by adding both landed weight and the estimated mortality of all catch either utilized at-sea or released at-sea. Vessels landing fish in excess of the licence’s IVQ holdings will be restricted from further fishing opportunities until such time as additional IVQ has been acquired.

To ensure that harvesters have access to non-directed catch from other sectors, sector quota caps have been established to control the amount of IVQ from one sector that may be accessed by any other sector. Subject to annual quota caps, the temporary reallocations of IVQ between vessels and between commercial sectors will be permitted. Rules have been developed for each commercial fishing sector to ensure fair access and to limit the amount of quota that can be held by any one licence.

A comprehensive evaluation of the CGIPP was conducted in 2009 and can be found at: http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/commercial/ground-fond/index-eng.htm. Results of this evaluation show that the CGIPP is achieving the Department’s conservation objectives and satisfies social concerns and economic performance. Halibut and sablefish fleets have continued to fully harvest their directed total allowable catch and feature stronger profitability levels. There are fewer vessels in the small-scale fleets (rockfish, lingcod, dogfish), which is expected with implementation of IVQ fisheries, however, the landings per trip for the remaining vessels has increased. While there are continued concerns about high monitoring and quota leasing costs, availability of quota, and rationalization of the small boat fleet, permanent implementation of the CGIPP will alleviate some of these concerns. While implementation of the CGIPP has changed the way the fishery was managed, a substantial degree of stability has been observed over the four year pilot period of the CGIPP. The 2010/2011 commercial groundfish fishing season marks the first year of the permanent implementation of the Commercial Groundfish Integration Program.

Links to other information

Information relating to Pacific groundfish and related fisheries can be found on the Internet at the DFO Groundfish Home page: http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/commercial/ground-fond/index-eng.htm