Atlantic Halibut Area 4RST Lower North Shore – Western Sector

This Conservation Harvesting Plan (CHP) applies to the Québec Lower North Shore fixed gear fleet of less than 19.81 m based from Kegaska to Saint-Augustin, or otherwise mentioned as the western sector, fishing Atlantic Halibut in NAFO divisions 4RST during the period from May 15th, 2012 to May 14th, 2013. When fishing in another NAFO division, the Conservation Harvesting Plan for that area applies. It is important to note that this Conservation Harvesting Plan is subject to change following ministerial decisions.

Directed fishing for any other groundfish species will require a separate harvesting plan.

The management measures during the fishery are as follows:

1. Protection of spawning fish and concentrations of cod

The protection of fish during the spawning period and areas where there are concentrations of juveniles is a priority that the Department and the industry consider very important for the recovery of the cod stock in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. The following conservation measures apply:

  • Closure of all groundfish fisheries from April 1st to June 23rd in part of the NAFO Division 4R off shore from St. George’s Bay and Port-au-Port Bay, which is recognized as a spawning area;
  • Permanent closure of all groundfish fisheries from January 1st to December 31st in part of sub division 4T3 (Miscou Bank), which is recognized as a cod concentration zone;
  • Permanent closure of all groundfish fisheries from January 1st to December 31st in sub division 4T5 (Shediac valley), which is recognized as a juvenile area.

2. Fishing gear

The use of longline is authorized with a maximum of 2000 hooks which must have an opening equal to or greater than 15.4 mm.

3. Quota and fishing effort

The allocation of Atlantic Halibut granted to the fixed gear fleets of the North Shore correspond to 59.13 t in 2012.

Considering the distinct operational needs of the North Shore fleets, the fish harvesters’ association representatives implicated in the Atlantic Halibut fishery agreed to divide the allocation granted to the North Shore’s fixed gear fleet. However, in the absence of an agreement between the associations, the Department has determined a share taking into consideration the positions voiced by the fish harvesters’ representatives. Thus, for 2012 only, the temporary share of the North Shore’s Atlantic Halibut competitive fleet is established at 54 % for the Upper and Middle North Shore and 46 % for the Lower North Shore. In reference with this share, the North Shore’s Atlantic Halibut allocation, established for 2012-2013 at 59.13 t, is distributed in the following manner: 31.93 t granted to the Upper and Middle North Shore’s fleet and 27.20 t granted to the Lower North Shore’s fleet.

Furthermore, the Department renews the temporary sharing between the western (Kegaska to St-Augustin) and eastern (Old Fort to Blanc-Sablon) Lower North Shore’s fleet for 2012-2013. On the basis of a 75 % / 25 % sharing, the LNS’s western fleet is granted 20.40 t of Atlantic Halibut while the LNS’s eastern fleet receives 6.80 t.

Of the 20.40 t Atlantic Halibut quota granted to the western area of the Lower North Shore, 5.40 t are put aside for the by-catch made during directed fishery on other ground fish species, leaving 15.00 t for the directed fishery.

Discussions with fish harvesters’ associations will continue in the fall in order to come to an agreement on a permanent share between the Upper and Middle North Shore and the Lower North Shore. A permanent share or another management regime could be established for the Lower North Shore’s fleet.

4. Conversion ratio

A conversion ratio of 1.15 is used to convert the weight of eviscerated catches to round fish weight.

5. Individual harvest limit

With reference to the consultation lead by the Lower North Shore fishermen’s association in July 2012, 15 fish harvesters from the western sector will participate to the Atlantic Halibut fishery. An individual harvest limit of 870 kg (1917 lb) of eviscerated Atlantic Halibut or 1000 kg (2205 lb) of round Atlantic Halibut is in application. When this limit is attained, the fish harvester must withdraw his gears from the water in order not to surpass it.

6. Quota reconciliation

The quota reconciliation program for the groundfish is in effect for the present season. As such, quota overruns incurred in 2012 will be deducted by a factor of one-to-one from next year’s quotas.

7. Fishing season

Fishing will be authorized from July 29th, 2012 at 4:00 AM until August 11st, 2012 at 9:00 PM (Eastern Daylight Time).

The date above could be changed depending on circumstances at the time, for example industry’s requests, reach of the quota or high probabilities to exceed it.

The industry and the Department could jointly approve a management approach aimed at adapting fishing effort with a residual quota following the fishing period indicated above.

8. Fishing Zones

The authorized fishing areas are:

  • 4R
  • 4S
  • 4T1
  • 4T2 ab
  • 4T3 ab Except for the Miscou Bank
  • 4T4
  • 4T6
  • 4T9 ab

9. By-catch limits

By-catch is defined as the weight of a by-catch species divided by the weight of the directed species, in this case, Atlantic Halibut.

The by-catch limits of groundfish authorized while directing for Atlantic Halibut in 4RST are:

  • Cod
    • The greater of 10% or 45 kg per fishing trip;
  • White Hake
    • 10% by fishing trip;
  • Shark
    • The lesser of 10% or 500 kg by fishing trip providing the fish harvester has conditions of license authorizing by-catch of shark;
  • Other species of groundfish
    • 10% by fishing trip.

If by-catch limits by fishing trip are exceeded, the fishery may be closed and enforcement action may be taken.

10. Small fish protocol

The minimum size of fish relative to the small fish protocol is:

  • Cod: 43 cm
  • American plaice: 30 cm
  • Witch flounder: 30 cm
  • White hak: 45 cm
  • Winter flounder/yellowtail: 25 cm
  • Atlantic Halibut: 85 cm
  • Greenland Halibut: 44 cm
  • Redfish: 22 cm

All catches of Atlantic Halibut less than 85 centimetres must be returned to the water immediately and, when the fish is still alive, in a manner that causes it the least harm.

Areas could be closed for specified fleet sectors when the number of undersized fish reaches or exceeds 15 % of the catch of any of the above species.

11. Combined Form

The logbook portion of the Combined form must be completed daily.

12. Coverage at sea observers

Industry-funded at-sea observer coverage at a minimum of 10% applies for vessels less than 13.71 metres. For vessels greater than 13.71 metres, a minimum of 15% will apply.

Hail out is mandatory for all vessels.

13. Dockside monitoring

Dockside Monitoring Program (DMP) applies at 100%.

14. Catch monitoring and test fishery

Small fish and by-catch closures are for a minimum duration of 10 days. The cost of conducting all test fisheries is borne by industry. If a fishery is closed, it will not re-open unless DFO feels that it can be effectively monitored and controlled. If any particular fishery is closed twice during the year because of high levels of small fish or incidental catch, the fishery may remain closed for the remainder of the year.

15. Other management measures

Buddy-up, boat rental and fish harvester replacement are not authorized except under exceptional circumstances.

If a fleet sector or an individual is suspected of dumping and discarding groundfish at sea, in addition to other regulatory options, including fisheries closures and legal proceedings, the industry funded at-sea observer coverage may be increased.

Simultaneous fishing of Atlantic Halibut using longline and Greenland Halibut using longline is not allowed. However, the fishing of Atlantic Halibut using longline and Greenland Halibut using gillnets is allowed, as long as a licence holder has a valid Licence Conditions for each of these fisheries. The directed fishery for both these species cannot take place during the same fishing trip, and it is fish harvesters’ responsibility to haul their gears at least every 72 hours. Additionally, all catches of Atlantic Halibut should be counted as part of the catch limit for Atlantic Halibut.

16. Other considerations

Pursuant to the Species at Risk Act (SARA), no person shall kill, harm, harass, capture, take, possess, collect, buy, sell or trade an individual or any part or derivate of a wildlife species designated as extirpated, endangered or threatened.

At the time this Management Plan is promulgated, the species subject to these measures in the Gulf of St.-Lawrence and the Atlantic are: Spotted wolffish, Northern wolffish, Leatherback Turtle and Striped Bass (St. Lawrence Estuary population). New species could be added in the course of the year.

All by-catches of species identified above must be returned to the water and released in the exact capture location and, if the fish is still alive, with as little harm as possible. In addition, information regarding interactions with species at risk must be recorded in the Species at risk section of the logbook.