Cod (Gadus morhua) (Effective 2009)

Foreword

The purpose of this Integrated Fisheries Management Plan (IFMP ) is to identify the main objectives and requirements for the cod fishery in 3Ps, as well as the management measures that will be used to achieve these objectives. This document also serves to communicate the basic information on the fishery and its management to DFO staff, legislated co-management boards and other stakeholders. This IFMP provides a common understanding of the basic "rules" for the sustainable management of the fisheries resource.

This IFMP is not a legally binding instrument which can form the basis of a legal challenge. The IFMP can be modified at any time and does not fetter the Minister's discretionary powers set out in the Fisheries Act. The Minister can, for reasons of conservation or for any other valid reasons, modify any provision of the IFMP in accordance with the powers granted pursuant to the Fisheries Act.

Where DFO is responsible for implementing obligations under land claim agreements, the IFMP will be implemented in a manner consistent with these obligations. In the event that an IFMP is inconsistent with obligations under land claim agreements, the provisions of the land claim agreements will prevail to the extent of the inconsistency.

J.W. Baird
Regional Director General

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Overview of the 3Ps cod fishery
• Stock Status and Science
• Economics of the Fishery
• Management Issues
• Access and Allocation
• Objectives
• Management Measures
  • Management Cycle and Closed Times (Seasons)
  • Other Management Measures
  • Species at Risk Act
  • Licensing
• Shared Stewardship
• Compliance
• Performance Review
  
  
• Appendix 1: Stock Assessment Results
• Appendix 2: Conservation Harvesting Plans
• Appendix 3: Enforcement Measures for Duration of the Plan
• Appendix 4: Post-Season Review
• Appendix 5: Departmental contact(s)
• Appendix 6: Safety at Sea
• Appendix 7: Map of Fishing Area
• Appendix 8: 3Ps Cod Allocations by Year and Fleet, 2005 to 2009

Introduction

The following is an integrated fisheries management plan (IFMP ) that will be used to provide direction in the management of the Cod stock in NAFO sub-Division 3Ps. This Cod stock is one of four stocks adjacent to Newfoundland and Labrador and has been very important to the economy, history and culture of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador and the French Islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon. It has provided a livelihood to many fish harvesters and plant workers as well as an economic base for many communities and businesses along the south coast of Newfoundland and Labrador. The long term sustainability of this stock is vital to balancing the needs of today's stakeholders with those of future generations.

Figure 1

1. Overview of the 3Ps Cod Fishery

Location and History

NAFO sub-Division 3Ps is an area adjacent to the south coast of Newfoundland and extends from Cape St. Mary's to just west of Burgeo, extending over St. Pierre Bank and most of Green Bank. Cod has been harvested in this area for many generations. As outlined in Figure 2, it is sub-divided into areas 3Psa to 3Psh and includes the majority of the economic zone around the French Islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon.

Historically this Cod stock was heavily fished by non-Canadian fleets. Spanish vessels were responsible for most of the landings in the 1960's and early 1970's. The Cod catch for 3Ps peaked in 1961 when 84,000t were harvested. After the extension of Canadian jurisdiction in 1977, catches averaged around 30,000t until the mid 1980's when fishing effort by France increased and landings reached 59,000t in 1987. Landings declined steadily to 36,000t in 1992. A moratorium was imposed from 1993 until 1997, at which time the TAC was set at 10,000t. After increasing the TAC to 36,000t in 1999 (the 1999 TAC includes 6,000t that was added when the management cycle changed to the March -April period), the TAC was lowered to 20,000t in 2000-01 and to 15,000t in 2001-02. The TAC remained at 15,000t until 2006-07, when the TAC was lowered to 13,000t. It remained at 13,000t for 2007-08 and 2008-09. For 2009-10, the TAC was lowered to 11,500t.

Cod is harvested in both inshore areas (3Psa, 3Psb, 3Psc) and offshore areas (3Psd, 3Pse, 3Psf, 3Psg, 3Psh) of this zone. This cod fishery has supported a fixed gear inshore fishery that has proven to be of vital importance to local fish harvesters and communities along the south coast of Newfoundland and Labrador for many decades. It is also important to the offshore, mobile gear sector that has an allocation for this stock.

Figure 2

Type of Fishery

The 3Ps cod fishery is primarily a commercial fishery. In addition to the commercial fishery, it has been open for recreational fishing at the same time as other areas were opened throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. There is also an allocation of cod for food, social and ceremonial (FSC) purposes, a sentinel fishery and a fishery by residents of the French Islands of St Pierre-Miquelon.

This fishery is prosecuted with both fixed (longline, gillnet, hand line and traps) and mobile gear. The inshore, less than 65' fleet sector utilizes mainly hand line, hook and line and gillnets. The midshore sector primarily uses longline gear, while the offshore fleet uses mobile gear.

While there is a small competitive quota for fish harvesters based in sub-Division 3Pn, the majority of this fishery is managed as an individual quota (IQ) (for fleets operating inshore enterprises) or enterprise allocation (EA) (for midshore and offshore enterprises) fishery. Through consultation with industry representatives, IQ's were first introduced in parts of Placentia Bay in 1998 and expanded further into other areas in 1999. IQ levels vary depending on vessel size and fleet allocations. EAs are assigned depending on predetermined sharing arrangements.

 

Participation

On an annual basis, the participation rate for the inshore licence holders (<65') based in 3Ps ranges from 80% to 92%. There are 983 groundfish licence holders, including 3 mobile gear, based in 3Ps. The level of activity in recent years is shown in Table 1.

Table 1

Number of Active Enterprises and Participation Rate
By Year, 2004 - 2008

Year	Number of Active  Enterprises	Participation Rate (%)
2004	851	85
2005	828	83
2006	806	81
2007	916	92
2008*	790	80

* Preliminary data

There are other inshore <65 fleets, totalling 100 enterprises, with homeports outside of NAFO sub-Division 3Ps. Participation rates for these fleets are influenced by other factors, including the option to fish in their own area. For some fleets, access is restricted due to the level of the TAC.

An additional 9 license holders from the offshore sector (>100') hold 3Ps cod enterprise allocations (EA's) for commercial fishing. Another 9 license holders in the midshore (65-100') fixed gear sector also hold EA's for 3Ps cod. Generally these larger enterprises will harvest their cod allocation or transfer it to an eligible enterprise within the mid-shore or offshore sector that will catch the cod in a directed fishery or use it as bycatch in other groundfish fisheries.

Consultation Process

The yearly consultation cycle starts with the Regional Advisory Process (RAP) or the Zonal Advisory Process (ZAP) conducted by science. Terms of reference are developed so that science can produce an assessment based on user input. The RAP or ZAP leads to a Stock Advisory Report (SAR). At each step in the process stakeholders provide advice, input and recommendations. The SAR may contain a recommendation on a TAC. DFO then conducts groundfish advisory consultations involving multiple communities and groups. Also at these sessions management measures established for this fishery are reviewed and new measures are developed through a negotiated Conservation Harvesting Plan (CHP) process with each fleet. Licence conditions are developed to reflect the various measures adopted in the CHP.

The 3Ps cod quota is shared with France (in respect of the Islands of St. Pierre et Miquelon) which receives 15.6% of the total allocation. The sharing arrangement for 3Ps cod is outlined in the 1994 Canada/France Procès-Verbal (PV). Under the PV, Canada and France agree to cooperate with respect to the conservation and management of the stocks in 3Ps, including research, exchange of information and communication of scientific data. The two countries also commit to consult one another prior to setting the TAC.

At the conclusion of the annual groundfish advisory consultation process a submission is forwarded to the Minister requesting a decision on the TAC.

2. Stock Science and Status

Biological Synopsis

Cod are widely distributed in cool temperate waters through the northern regions of the Atlantic Ocean at depths from a few metres to about 500 m. In the Northwest Atlantic, cod are distributed from Greenland to Cape Hatteras and are managed as 12 stocks. The 3Ps cod stock inhabits the area off southern Newfoundland from Cape St. Mary's to just west of Burgeo Bank, and over St. Pierre Bank. The distribution of 3Ps cod does not conform well to management boundaries and the stock is considered a complex mixture of coastal and offshore sub-components. These may include fish that move seasonally between adjacent areas as well as fish that migrate seasonally between inshore and offshore, especially the Halibut Channel, the St. Pierre Bank and Placentia Bay. Cod from this stock generally grow faster than those from areas further northward. Female cod from this stock are maturing at younger ages in recent years and take about 5 yrs to reach maturity; large females produce millions of eggs and spawning is spatially widespread in 3Ps and extremely protracted, with spawning fish observed from March to late summer.

Ecosystem Interactions

Cod prey extensively on capelin and sand lance; their principle predators are not well known but seals are less abundant in 3Ps than in neighbouring areas such as the Scotian Shelf, the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and off northeastern Newfoundland where grey and/or harp seals are more commonly found.

Aboriginal/Traditional Ecological Knowledge (ATK/TEK)

TEK from local fishermen was the basis of site-selection for Sentinel surveys for cod in 3Ps (see Maddock Parsons and Stead, 2008). ATK for this stock is unknown.

Stock Assessment

The 2009 evaluation of the stock was conducted through a zonal advisory process where the status of 5 cod stocks in Atlantic Canada (2J3KL, 3Ps, 3Pn 4RS, 4TVn and 4X/5Y cod) were assessed. Participants include DFO scientists, fisheries managers, officials of provincial governments, fishing industry members, external experts and academia. Information available to evaluate stock status consisted of commercial landings from 1959 and log-book data from1997 in conjunction with information from Canadian research vessel (RV) trawl surveys from 1972, industry trawl surveys from 1997, and sentinel surveys from 1995. Exploitation (harvest) rates were estimated from tagging experiments.

The assessment concluded from tagging data and ancillary information, that the complex of stock components exploited by fisheries in 3Ps does not comprise a single stock for which total population biomass and total abundance can be estimated from existing information. Therefore the impacts of fishing at specific TAC levels on all stock components could not be quantified. However, the DFO research vessel (RV) survey covers most of the stock, and survey trends broadly reflect stock trends. Any aggregations in April within the near-shore would not be measured by the DFO RV survey. The majority of the area shore-ward of the DFO RV survey lies within inner and western Placentia Bay. There is no evidence that a large fraction of the stock is shore-ward of the DFO RV survey in April.

Cohort analysis of the DFO RV survey data indicated that Spawning Stock Biomass (SSB) declined by more than 20% per year over 2004-2008. Recruitment will remain low in 2009-2010 so this decline will likely continue through to 2010 with status quo landings. Recent year-classes supporting the fishery are relatively weak in comparison to the strong 1997 and 1998 cohorts. Although preliminary indications are that the 2006 cohort is strong, this cohort will not recruit to the fishery until 2011. Furthermore, these fish will also begin maturing at about this time. If this year-class is as strong as presently indicated, and if total mortality is relatively low, it would be possible to quickly increase the spawning biomass. It would be prudent to consider management measures which would protect this year-class from all sources of fishing mortality (e.g. discarding, high-grading and landings) until it matures, thereby increasing the chance of the stock increasing well above the limit reference point.

Annual total mortality rates (age 5 -11) inferred from the DFO RV survey increased from an average of 23% in 1997-2004 to an average of 55% in 2005-2007. This high value is a concern. Although the trend in natural mortality is unknown, fishing mortality has increased as inferred by the reduction of stock size during a period of constant landings.

The status of inshore components is uncertain. However, both sentinel linetrawl and sentinel gillnet indices are stable.

Overall, the findings of the current assessment are consistent with those of previous assessments. Several consecutive year-classes (1999-2005) have been relatively weak and are now (during 2007 and 2008) supporting the majority of total landings. This has lead to increased exploitation rates in the offshore, and contributed to an overall reduction in stock size.

Stock Scenarios

Cohort analysis of the DFO RV survey data indicated that SSB declined by more than 20% per year over 2004-2008. Recruitment will remain low in 2009-2010 so this decline will likely continue through to 2010 with status quo landings. It is not possible to produce projections based on alternative catch scenarios. Recent year-classes supporting the fishery are relatively weak in comparison to the strong 1997 and 1998 cohorts. Although preliminary indications are that the 2006 cohort is strong, this cohort will not recruit to the fishery until 2011.

Precautionary Approach

A limit reference point (LRP, B_Recovery) was identified for this stock during the 2004 assessment (DFO, 2004). It is defined as the lowest observed spawning stock biomass (SSB) from which there has been a sustained recovery; the 1994 value of SSB has been identified as the LRP.

Survey SSB has been decreasing in recent years and in 2008 was just above the LRP. If management is to be consistent with the Precautionary Approach, catches should be reduced compared to recent levels, and greater priority should be given to increasing SSB.

Research

3Ps cod research recommendations from the 2009 cod ZAP:

• Investigate analytical methods/models to provide an assessment for the stock as a whole. This should occur in a separate working group or workshop, and not as part of the stock assessment meeting.
• Investigate using Survey Based Analysis (SURBA) with inshore Sentinel information to provide estimates of trends in exploitable biomass in the inshore.
• Investigate if changes in the timing of the fishery affect trends in the large vessel CPUE, especially because they are based on medians. Also, it would be useful to have information on the proportion of large catches, and if this proportion is changing over time.
• Some discrepancies exist in age determinations by France and Canada. Otolith exchanges should be carried out to address this.
• Investigate options for using the Telephone Survey of Fish Harvesters in 3ps to assess the accuracy of commercial catches. In doing this, it would be useful to understand what portion of the landings is covered by the interviewed people.
• The annual comparisons of telephone survey results could not be extended back beyond three years because the format of the survey changed in 2005. The earlier results are not directly comparable. Investigate if there is some way to connect them.
• Can acoustics be incorporated to improve stock indices from the 3Ps spring DFO RV survey, where patchy and high concentration areas cause high variability in survey estimates?
• There has been a decline in weights-at-age in the older fish taken in the commercial fishery, but this was not seen for the younger fish. It has been assumed that this difference is due to gear changes that result in catching larger sizes of the younger fish thus masking any declines. RV data should be examined to see if the patterns observed are real or an artefact of gear compositions.
• Survival rates of cod captured for tagging in deep water should be investigated to reduce uncertainty in exploitation rates for cod tagged deep water areas (applies to all stocks with cod tagging programs).

References

DFO, 2004. Stock Assessment of Subdivision 3Ps cod. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2004/039.

Maddock Parsons, D., and R. Stead. 2008. Sentinel surveys 1995-2007: Catch per unit effort in NAFO Subdivision 3Ps. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2008/035.

3. Economics of the Fishery

Landings, Landed Value and Price

The TAC has been relatively stable in recent years, and in most years all of the Canadian allocation has been caught. Therefore, the overall value of the catch is highly dependent on the total allocation and the prevailing landed price. Landed value has been as high as approximately $18 million in 2001 ($0.63 average price per pound) to as low as approximately $12 million in 2005 ($0.48 average price per pound)

Figure 5

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There have been significant changes in pricing mechanisms for 3Ps cod over the 2002/03 to 2008/09 period. Pricing has evolved over this time taking into account fish size, fish grade and at one point gear type fished. Price in the inshore fishery is generally negotiated between fish harvesters, represented by the FFAW, and processors prior to the start of the season with prices varying throughout the season reflecting changes in fish quality.

From 2002/03 to 2004/05 prices were negotiated for two length categories <20" and >=20". Within each length category there were price differentials based on three grades of fish (A, B and C) with the price for Grade A cod in most years more than double the price received for Grade C. Beginning April 1st, 2006 3Ps cod harvesters could avail of two pricing mechanisms; Price-to-Grade as outlined above (i.e. price based on 2 fish sizes and 3 fish grades) or Tal Qual Pricing. Tal Qual pricing also established two fish sizes (<20" and >=20") but only 2 grades of fish - premium and non-premium. This option also included price differentials based on gear type fished. That is, slightly higher prices (i.e. $.05) were paid for cod taken with hook and line versus gillnets

Starting in the spring of 2007 (up to March 31st 2009) the new negotiated agreement dropped pricing differentials based on fish grade and gear type fished. However an additional fish length category >=28" was added which paid a significant price premium over both the <20" and >=20" categories.

Table 2
3Ps Cod - Negotiated Prices

Negotiated Prices - 3PS Cod - NL Region - 2006 to 2010

	Hook & Line/Trawl				Gillnet/Otter Trawl
Season	>18"	16" - 20"	>20"	>28"	>18"	16" - 20"	>20"	>28"
2009/09/20 - 2010/03/31	$0.62				$0.52
2009/05/18 - 2009/08/01	$0.57				$0.50
2008/09/28 - 2009/03/31*		$0.60	$0.82	$1.10		$0.60	$0.82	$1.10
2008/07/27 - 2008/09/27*		$0.40	$0.55	$0.81		$0.40	$0.55	$0.81
2008/05/09 - 2008/07/26*		$0.50	$0.73	$1.05		$0.50	$0.73	$1.05
2007/10/01 - 2008/03/31*		$0.60	$0.82	$1.10		$0.60	$0.82	$1.10
2007/07/23 - 2007/09/30*		$0.40	$0.55	$0.81		$0.40	$0.55	$0.81
2007/05/07 - 2007/07/22*		$0.50	$0.73	$1.05		$0.50	$0.73	$1.05
2006/10/02 - 2007/03/31**		$0.55	$0.75			$0.50	$0.70
2006/05/01 - 2006/10/01**		$0.43	$0.60			$0.43	$0.55
* Note: Prices quoted for Tal Qual Pricing ** Note: Prices quoted for period May 1, 2006 - March 31, 2007 are for premium quality fish, Tal Qual Pricing. Source: FFAW website

Dependence on Cod

The <35' fleet is most dependent on 3Ps cod. Cod represented 35% of the total value of the catch for <35' enterprises who caught 3Ps cod in 2007. However, lobster was the most significant species in terms of the overall catch value at 38%. Crab represented the third most valuable species at 15% of total value for the <35' fleet.

The 35'-64'11" fleet had a much smaller proportion of the total value being derived from cod at only 16%. However, crab represented almost half of their total catch value at 49%.

The few enterprises in the >65' fleet actively fishing 3Ps cod derived approximately 17% of their total value from cod in 2007. Turbot was the largest single contributor to this fleet sector at 46% of the overall value. However, the percentage of catch value for turbot was higher than previous years as many of the species allocations for this fleet sector were not fished due to corporate reorganizations. For example, in 2004 and 2005 cod and turbot represented 4% and 23% of the value with shrimp accounting for an average of 45% in these 2 years.

Landings Pattern

The directed 3Ps cod fishery by vessels < 65' involves a large number of vessels landing in numerous ports over an extended season with the average landing volume being relatively small. In 2007, the fleet landed 8,916 tonnes of cod for a total value of $13.2 million. Cod was landed on 309 days with an average directed cod landing per day of 29 tonnes with a value of $41k. There were a total of 17,864 directed cod landings.

The inshore fleet undertakes a directed cod fishery in all months of the year except March and April when it is closed for conservation reasons (spawning). In 2007, 8.5 percent was taken from January to May inclusive. Almost half (44 percent) of the fleet's directed catch took place during June and July when fish quality is at a low point.

Figure 6

The daily landings in this fishery are highly variable. This undoubtedly can lead to logistical difficulties associated with the transportation of raw material, dockside monitoring, processing and quality.

Processing

In 2007, there were 11 processors operating 13 processing sites in the 3Ps geographic area. Approximately 5,000 tonnes of finished cod was processed at these facilities. One processing facility accounted for approximately 66% of the total production with the top 5 sites accounting for approximately 97% of the total.

4. Management Issues

There are a number of issues that the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) will continue to address with fish harvesters. These include issues raised by fish harvesters or issues identified by DFO and include:

• Return of Logbooks - It is mandatory for fish harvesters to return their completed logbooks to DFO. The return rate, in the inshore sector, is lower than desired. DFO encourages all fish harvesters to return their completed logbooks as this information is important to the science advisory process and in the management of the fishery.
• Reporting incidental catch of wolffish - Since northern and spotted wolffish are listed under the Species At Risk Act (SARA), it is mandatory for fish harvesters to report any incidental catch. It is important to the monitoring of the recovery of these species that they be reported in logbooks.
• Highgrading - The Department has received reports of high-grading at sea. This illegal practice is done to maximize fishing revenues as there are years in which higher prices are paid for larger cod fish. The discarding of smaller fish is a conservation concern for the stock. Fisher harvesters must understand that it is mandatory to land all groundfish, unless otherwise authorized in licence conditions.
• Designation Policy - Under licensing policy, fish harvesters in the inshore sector were permitted to designate another harvester to operate his/her enterprise up to a maximum of 120 days per year. Fish harvesters expressed concerned that this policy was inflating the participation rate of the fishery. As a result, the policy has been amended to restrict designations to medical circumstances only.
• Reporting of lost gillnets - It is currently mandatory for fish harvesters to report lost gillnets to their local DFO office, however, the Department receives very few reports from fish harvesters.
• Length of Season - The inshore fishery has been open from mid May until March 1. The length of the season has posed some challenges with respect to monitoring. With the vast majority of fish harvesters finished their fishing activity in the fall, there have been suggestions that the inshore fleet sector should be closed on December 31. There have also been a number of compliance issues noted in the winter, along with concern about fishing areas known to have spawning aggregations. As a result, the continuation of the inshore fishery in January and February is an issue for DFO and inshore fishers to address.
• Conservation Closures - DFO will work with local fish harvesters where they identify areas that should be closed as a result of spawning. Fish harvesters continue to be proactive in identifying such areas to protect the stock.
• Placentia Bay Grand Banks LOMA - NAFO sub-division 3Ps is contained within the Placentia Bay Grand Banks Large Ocean Management Area (LOMA). DFO Science has identified 11 Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas (EBSAs) within the LOMA, four of which are within NAFO sub-division 3Ps: Placentia Bay Extension, St. Pierre Bank, Laurentian Channel and Slope, and Burgeo Bank. Two of these EBSAs were identified in part due to Atlantic cod: Placentia Bay Extension, due of its high uniqueness, aggregation and fitness consequences of being the largest spawning stock of Atlantic cod in the NW Atlantic; Burgeo Bank due to its high aggregation of cod spawning and uniqueness of the mixing of two cod stocks (3Pn4RS and 3Ps) during the winter/spring.
• Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas - The Oceans Program consulted with stakeholders on five of the 11 EBSAs within the LOMA: Southeast Shoal and Tail of the Banks, Southwest Shelf Edge and Slope, St. Pierre Bank, Laurentian Channel and Northeast Shelf Edge and Slope. Based upon the consultations one of these five Areas of Interest (AOI's) will be put forward as a potential MPA for designation by 2012. It is noted that 3Ps cod occurs in both the Laurentian Channel and St. Pierre Bank AOIs, which are specifically identified due to mixing and over wintering of cod stocks.

5. Access and Allocation

The TAC for 3Ps cod is set annually after consultations with the Government of France. Following this decision, quota allocations are calculated for the fleet sectors that have access to this stock. This calculation is done based on established sharing arrangements that have been in place for a number of years. Access to this stock is restricted to those groundfish licence holders who currently have access. No new access is being considered under the current management plan.

The TAC is divided 84.4 % for Canada and 15.6% for St Pierre-Miquelon (France). France is allocated 15.6% of the TAC as part of the 1994 Canada/France Procès-Verbal.

The inshore, fixed gear, sector holds the largest percentage share (78.109%) of the Canadian allocation. The offshore sector holds 14.740% of the Canadian allocation, while the remaining allocations are assigned to inshore mobile gear sector (4.889%) and midshore (65'-100') sector at 2.000%.

The above-noted inshore allocations are further sub-divided and allocated to the various fleets within that sector. This includes those groundfish licence holders from 3KL and 3Pn with overlap privileges in division 3Ps.

The existing allocations for those groundfish licence holders with overlap privileges were developed as a result of the recommendations from an independent consultant's review and report which was completed in 2001 known as the "Hearn Report". The Hearn Report reviewed overlap fishing privileges of all inshore fleets in 3Ps following the re-opening of the fishery after the 1994-1996 moratorium. When the TAC was set below 15,000t in 2006, the 3KL fleet licence holders classified as "equivalents and overlap" are restricted to by-catch only. As a result, they cannot direct for cod in division 3Ps during such years.

The Miawpukek First Nation in Conne River also has an allocation for food social and ceremonial (FSC) purposes.

The TAC along with the respective fleet allocations for 2009 is presented in Table 3.

Table 3

2009 Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and Fleet Allocations 3Ps Cod

			Allocations calculated based on
TAC	11,500 t
FRENCH QUOTA	1,794 t	(c)	15.6 % of TAC
SENTINEL FISHERY	153 t		1.334 % of TAC
CANADIAN QUOTA	9,553 t	(d)	83.066 % of TAC
ABORIGINAL FISHERY	27 t		0.278 % of Canadian Allocation
VESSELS UNDER100'	8,120 t
Fixed Gear < 65'	7,461 t	(a)	78.109 % of Canadian Allocation
Mobile Gear < 65'	467 t	(b)	4.889 % of Canadian Allocation
Fixed Gear 65'-100'	191 t		2.000 % of Canadian Allocation
VESSELS OVER 100'	1,408 t		14.740 % of Canadian Allocation

1. Groundfish vessels based in 3Ps --- 6,595 t
   Groundfish vessels based in 3Pn overlap --- 168 t
   Groundfish vessels based in 3L - Area 9 overlap --- 226 t
   Groundfish vessels based in 3KL overlap --- 304 t
   Groundfish vessels based in 3KL equivalent --- 168 t
   
2. Groundfish vessels based in 3Ps --- 218 t
   Groundfish vessels based in 3KL --- 191 t
   Groundfish vessels based in 3Pn --- 58 t
   
3. France is allocated 15.6% of the TAC as part of the 1994 Canada/France Procès-Verbal.
   
4. Fleet percentages are based on Canadian quota minus the Sentinel Fishery quota.

Table 4 shows the individual quotas for the <65' enterprises.

Table 4

Individual Quota's (lbs round weight)
For the Inshore Fixed Gear Fleets
2005 - 2009

	Fleet	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009
Fishing Area 10	<25'	15,000	14,350	13,660	13,660	12,977
Fishing Area 11	<25'	15,000	14,350	13,660	13,660	12,977
Fishing Area 10	25' - 34' 11"	24,000	23,000	21,850	21,850	20,758
Fishing Area 11	25' - 34' 11"	24,000	23,000	21,850	21,850	20,758
Fishing Area 10	35' - 64' 11"	40,500	38,700	36,880	36,880	35,036
Fishing Area 11	35' - 64' 11"	50,000	47,750	45,550	45,550	43,273
Branch/Pt Lance	< 24-11	nil	nil	nil	nil	nil
Branch/Pt Lance	25-34-11	15,600	14,900	14,200	14,200	13,490
Branch/Pt Lance	>35	29,625	28,300	27,000	27,000	25,650
St Mary's Bay	< 24-11	6,600	6,300	6,000	6,000	5,700
St Mary's Bay	25-34-11	11,625	11,100	10,600	10,600	10,070
St Mary's Bay	35 - 44	21,000	20,050	19,100	19,100	18,145
St Mary's Bay	> 44	22,250	21,250	20,300	20,300	19,285

6. Objectives

The goals and objectives for this cod stock are consistent with those outlined in the report prepared by the Cod Action Team (CAT) in 2005. These objectives include:

• Conservation and Sustainable use,
• Self Reliance,
• Shared Stewardship,
• Stable and Transparent Access and Allocation decisions,

Conservation and the long-term sustainability of this stock is one of the most important objectives for fisheries managers. It is vital that this stock grows and provides benefits for all stakeholders in the short and long term. Fisheries managers will work with all stakeholders to ensure this objective is achieved and that this cod stock provides for an economically viable and self reliant fishery. Harvesting levels will be set that allows for long-term growth in the stock. Consideration will be given to the level of recruitment in this stock. Further, the fishery will be managed such that catches are not concentrated in ways that result in high exploitation rates on any of the stock components.

The shared stewardship management objective recognizes that industry participants and all stakeholders must become involved in fisheries management policy development and the decision-making process. It also recognizes that achievement of the conservation objective requires that governments, resource users and other stakeholders share responsibility for the implementation of fisheries management decisions and for the resulting outcomes.

This stock has had percentage shares designated for each fleet sector for an extended period. The DFO is committed to the principle of stable and transparent access and allocation decisions.

Fisheries managers will continue to work with fleets to develop conservation harvesting plans (CHP's) that contain measures that will achieve these objectives and ensure this cod stock is harvested within the TAC and the respective allocations.

Fisheries managers will also work with industry to ensure adequate monitoring of all catches while minimizing the catch of small fish and reducing the by-catch of other species. Managers will also work with stakeholders to ensure migrating and spawning cod are not adversely impacted. This may include additional closed areas and times.

7. Management Measures

As noted previously, this cod stock utilizes a TAC as a management measure. Conservation Harvesting Plans (CHP's) for each of the fleets that have access to this resource are also developed and used as a management tool. These CHP's outline the detailed management measures that are applicable for licence holders. The CHP's for the 4 fleets eligible to prosecute this stock are included in Annex 4. The measures that are used in the management of the fishery include provisions for (but not limited to): minimum fish size, by-catch restrictions, fishing gear limitations, dockside monitoring and at sea observer coverage, VMS coverage, boundary restrictions, discarding controls, seasons, and spawning closures.

Management Cycle and Closed Times (Seasons)

The management cycle for the 3Ps cod fishery is from April 1 until March 31 (of the following calendar year). During this period, there are specific times when fishing is closed for conservation reasons. This includes protection for cod during times of spawning and when the stock mixes with other cod stocks such as 3Pn4RS. Season dates can also be found in the applicable fleet CHP.

While the management period begins on April 1, the directed fishery is closed during April as part of a cod spawning period. This spawning period begins on March 1 (at the end of the previous season) when all directed fishing is stopped. In the past, the inshore areas (3Ps[a to c]) have opened in mid-May after consultation with inshore stakeholders. This opening date for the inshore sector is established in consultation with industry. The opening date can also be influenced by scientific surveys that are often conducted during the month of May. The offshore areas (3Ps[d to h]) remain closed to directed cod fishing until July 1 as part of the spawning closure from March 1 - June 30.

In addition, for the period November 15 to March 31, the area of the Burgeo Bank and St. Pierre Bank (3Psd, 3Pse, 3Psg) is closed to minimize the impact on gulf cod (3Pn4RS) that are mixing with the 3Ps cod stock. At the same time, fishing in 3Psa is restricted to those with a homeport in that area.

Furthermore, the area inside Sound Island, Woody Island, and Bar Haven Island, (Baker's Cove Point to Jigging Point) in Placentia Bay is closed to all groundfish fishing for the period January - May to protect spawning aggregations.

The area known as Paradise Sound is closed for the months of January and February to protect spawning aggregations.

The Fisheries and Oceans Canada encourages fish harvesters and local persons to continue to identify areas that are important for cod spawning. Such areas will be considered for closure, or other management measures.

Other Management Measures

A vessel monitoring system (VMS) is used as tool in managing this fishery. Monitoring of fishing vessel(s) activity is accomplished by acquiring GPS coordinates and other vessel data via satellite and internet technologies bundled in what is referred to a vessel monitoring system. Most vessels greater than 35 feet in length overall must have and use such a system. This is managed by way of a condition of licence. A small number of vessels are exempt from this provision.

While the minimum level of observer coverage is 5%, this may be increased at selected times at the discretion of the DFO officials.

The Department's by-catch protocol also applies to this fishery. Under this protocol, an area may be closed when the quantity of small fish (less than 45cm) being harvested is greater than 15% of the catch. More information on this policy is available in the Department's policy document.

Logbooks are one of the monitoring tools used in the fishery. All licence holders are required to complete and return logbooks to DFO. Logbook data is vital to monitoring catch and the science assessment process. The completion and return of logbooks is managed as a condition of licence.

Species at Risk Act (SARA)

3Ps cod is not listed as a species at risk under the Species at Risk Act (SARA).

Northern Wolffish (Anarhichas denticulatus), Spotted Wolffish (Anarhichas minor) are listed as "threatened" under SARA. The Leatherback Turtle is listed as "endangered". The Atlantic [Striped] Wolffish (Anarhichas lupus) is listed as "special concern".

While Atlantic (Striped) Wolffish may be retained, fish harvesters are permitted to return it to the place from which it was taken. However, the incidental catch (retained) of this species may not exceed 10% or 200 pounds, of the directed species, whichever is greater.

The release of incidentally caught species listed under the Species At Risk Act must be carried out as specified under licence condition. Generally speaking, these species must be returned from the place they were taken, and where alive, in a manner that causes the least harm.

Licensing

In 2009, there were 983 fixed gear inshore groundfish licences based in NAFO division 3Ps. In addition, there were 3 inshore mobile gear licence holders.

Table 5

Number of Inshore Groundfish Licences in Subdivision 3Ps,
By Area 10 (Placentia Bay) and Area 11 (Fortune Bay) 2005 to 2009

	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009
Area 10
FG<40'	424	422	420	421	421
FG 40-89'	91	91	91	88	87
Total	515	513	511	509	508
Area 11
FG<40'	438	435	433	429	427
FG40-89'	45	45	45	47	48
Total	483	480	478	476	475
All Areas
FG<40'	862	857	853	850	848
FG40-89'	136	136	136	135	135
Total	998	993	989	985	983
Note: 2009 as of July 14, 2009.

In addition, there are other groundfish licence holders with fishing privileges in subdivision 3Ps. These are based on historical fishing patterns and include:

• Eight 3KL-based groundfish licence holders are classified as "3Ps equivalent".
• Eighteen 3KL-based groundfish licence holders are classified as "3Ps overlap". They include ten fixed-gear and eight mobile gear.
• Seventy one groundfish licence holders from St. Mary's Bay have overlap access to Area 10 (Placentia Bay) only,
• Two groundfish licence holders from Trinity Bay have overlap access to Area 10 only,
• One groundfish licence holder from Conception Bay has overlap access to Area 10 only.

There are also fixed gear and mobile licence holders based in division 3Pn who have access to 3Ps.

With some restrictions, the offshore (>65') licences are considered to be Atlantic-wide. There are two sectors in the >65' category with allocation of this stock, i.e. FG 65-100' and >100', and a total of 18 licence holders have enterprise allocations for 3Ps cod. These enterprises can fish or transfer their individual allocations as per the Transfer Guidelines for Atlantic Canada.

There are also vessel replacement and licensing policies (i.e. leasing, designations, enterprise combining, etc.) under the Department Licensing Policy that applies to inshore fish harvesters. The details of these are not covered by this plan but are outlined in licensing policy.

8. Shared Stewardship Arrangements

The Oceans Act and Canada's Ocean Strategy is the legislative framework for integrated management in Canada and together commit the federal government to undertaking integrated oceans management in five Large Ocean Management Areas (LOMAs) across Canada. Within our Region, LOMAs are further subdivided to include Coastal Management Areas (CMAs).

The LOMA process requires a governance structure reflecting a collaborative approach. It is founded on principles such as shared responsibility for supporting the sustainable development of marine resources and inclusiveness of stakeholders affected by marine resource or activity management decisions. As a result, the integrated management governance model is one of co-operative planning which intrinsically promotes stewardship.

Recognizing the need to manage Canada's fisheries and oceans using an ecosystem approach, the Department is leading the development of integrated oceans management plans for the LOMAs. Similarly, this ecosystem approach has also predicated the development of Departmental integrated fisheries management plans. Linking to two will allow for integration of fisheries and non-fisheries related uses of Canada's oceans. Embedding fisheries management, as far as feasible, within the broader ecosystem approach will help to minimize resource conflicts and achieve sustainable management.

Integrated Management Bodies

Integrated management bodies such as the Placentia Bay Grand Banks (PBGB) LOMA and the CMAs nested within it provide a forum for consultation with the stakeholders who want to be engaged in decisions that affect them. The 3Ps cod stock is very important to the economy, history, and culture of our Province, it is important that DFO avail of the best possible mechanisms to engage stakeholders for feedback which will inform management decisions for this resource.

• The Placentia Bay Grand Banks LOMA is composed of both governmental and non-governmental representatives with interests within the LOMA boundaries. A LOMA Committee has been established since December 2007 and an integrated management plan is being drafted with expected completion in 2010. The Plan will include ecosystem, socio-economic, cultural and institutional objectives that will inform decision-making within the LOMA. Given current management practices, fisheries will often emerge as being a source of important objectives and also the source of a number of different risks (exploitation of target species, impacts on conservation species and habitats, etc.). Linking the IFMP objectives with integrated management plan objectives will allow for consideration of these risks in relation to those from other sectors, and also broader societal objectives, to more effectively mitigate these risks in support sustainable fisheries management.
• Within the PBGB LOMA, there are two CMAs: the Placentia Bay Integrated Management Planning Committee (PBIMPC) and the Coast of Bays Integrated Coastal Zone Management Committee. CMAs allow the Department to work with local community groups and individuals who provide "on the ground expertise" of ocean resource issues at a coastal scale, ensuring that the planning process and associated actions are relevant to the area. The 3Ps cod IFMP references the need for more 3Ps cod research. Both of the CMAs that are located adjacent to 3Ps, Placentia Bay and Coast of Bays CMAs have identified the need for cooperative research in their IM Plans, so the possibility of collaboration could be explored here.

Working Arrangements/Existing Agreements

• The DFO-WWF Canada Collaborative Agreement brings together both parties to work toward a common goal: the conservation, protection, and sustainable development of Canada's oceans as mandated by the Oceans Act. In particular, the Newfoundland Annex of the Agreement directs regional collaborative activities, including cod recovery and integrated ocean planning and management. The agreement has resulted in an open and collaborative partnership between DFO and WWF-Canada on issues such as cod recovery and broader cod management, including the 3Ps stock, and developing the PBGB LOMA integrated management plan.
• The Contribution Agreement between DFO and the FFAW supports the Fisheries Stewardship Program, which enables fish harvesters province wide to share and expand their knowledge and to develop tools necessary to adopt sustainable fishing practices as part of shared stewardship and to implement a broader fisheries conservation ethic.

9. Compliance Plan

Conservation and Protection Program Description

The deployment of Conversation and Protection (C&P) resources in the 3Ps cod fishery is conducted in conjunction with the management plan objectives as well as in response to emerging issues. The mix of enforcement options available and overriding conservation objectives determine the level and type of enforcement activity. The enforcement work-planning process is designed to establish priorities based on management objectives and conservation concerns. The monitoring and evaluation elements of enforcement work-plans facilitate in-season adjustments should conservation concerns and/or significant non-compliance emerge.

Regional Compliance Program Delivery

The Conservation and Protection program promotes and maintains compliance with legislation, regulations and management measures implemented to achieve the conservation and sustainable use of Canada's aquatic resources, and the protection of species at risk, fish habitat and oceans.

The program is delivered through a balanced regulatory management and enforcement approach, identified under the following three pillars:

• promotion of compliance through education and shared stewardship;
• monitoring, control and surveillance activities; and,
• management of major cases /special investigations in relation to complex compliance issues.

Pillar 1: Education and Shared Stewardship

Conservation and Protections Supervisors and Area Chief will actively participate in annual consultations with the fishing industry and aboriginal organizations. Compliance issues will be presented and recommendations requested for resolution. As well, informal meetings will continue on an ad hoc basis to resolve in-season matters.

The consultative process will also include Area Chief Membership on the Placentia Bay Integrated Management Planning Committee. This committee is comprised of fishers, other organizations and all levels of government.

Part of the education pillar will have Fishery Officers present and discuss fisheries conservation during visits to local schools, plus they will interact with fishers on a regular basis. The resulting information will be used as part of the planning process within C&P.

Pillar 2: Monitoring Control & Surveillance

Compliance Monitoring

C&P will promote compliance with the management measures governing the 3Ps commercial cod fishery by the following means: C&P Patrols, Dockside Inspections, At-Sea Inspections, Aerial Surveillance, Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) review, and through At-Sea Observer Deployments.

C&P Detachments will conduct cod fishery patrols by vehicle, vessel, and fixed wing aircraft. Middle distance patrols will be conducted using CCG and DND vessels.

Each detachment will ensure that monitoring and inspections of fish landing activity are to be carried out one routine basis. Where a vessel is selected for comprehensive inspection, officers will ensure that catch composition, weight verification and size variation sampling is conducted.

Conservation and Protection Supervisors responsible for 3Ps, will ensure that surveillance flights are conducted on a routine basis. Flights will be tasked to both offshore and inshore cod fisheries.

The VMS system will be relied upon to provide real-time data on the location of vessels within this fleet. Utilization of this resource will assist officers in determining where the enterprise is fishing, the port of destination and the estimated time of arrival to port. The VMS data will also be relied upon to conduct future analysis and comparisons of fishing activity.

At-Sea Observers will be randomly deployed to observe, record and report aspects of the fishing activity. The resulting data will be utilized to compare catch composition of vessels (observed trips vs. non observed trips).

Fishery Officers will review quota monitoring reports to ensure individual quotas are not exceeded.

Compliance Performance

Post season analysis sessions will be conducted with C&P and Resources Management staff to review issues encountered during the previous season and to make recommendations on improving management measures. The initial sessions will be conducted at the Area level, followed by a regional session that will be held with other sectors.

Pillar 3: Major Case

Current Compliance Issues

Compliance issues in fishery include: fishing gear requirements; quota overruns; high grading; unmonitored landings; and fishing during closure.

High grading will be a primary focus of C&P efforts for the duration of this integrated fisheries management plan. C&P personnel within the Newfoundland and Labrador Region have received reports which suggest that certain fishers have been discarding smaller less valuable fish in favour of the retention of larger more valued fish.

The discarding of small cod was apparently a direct result of the price paid for the larger cod. The price differential between large cod and small cod increases the likelihood of fishers engaging in the high-grading activity.

Compliance Strategy

C&P have developed an operational plan that outlines monitoring and compliance activities that will be carried out by C&P personnel adjacent to the 3Ps area. The plan will provide guidance; promote effective monitoring and enable personnel to effectively maintain compliance with management measures governing the 3Ps commercial directed cod fisheries.

The objectives of the operational plan are to provide a body of information that will provide guidance to C&P personnel, while engaged in monitoring and reviewing this fishery, to ensure compliance and conduct investigations. Sources of information to be used include vessel positioning data, officer inspection data, fishing logs, DMP records, At Sea Observer records and purchase transactions.

10. Performance Review

The IFMP was developed through an extensive consultative process including harvesters, processors, aboriginal interests, and foreign governments. DFO will continue to consult and liaise with these groups on a regular basis throughout the life of this IFMP , both through formal annual advisory processes as well as on a more informal ad hoc, or issue-related basis between advisory processes.

Long-term growth of the stock will be assessed through regular Science Advisory Reports (SAR's)

Monitoring control and surveillance of the fishery will be accomplished using several tools including quota reports, IQ and EA status reports, and end-of-year quota reports that provide resource managers with hindsight into efficiency of management tools for a given year.

Post season analysis sessions will be conducted with C&P and Resources Management staff to review issues encountered during the previous season and to make recommendations on improving management measures. These sessions will be conducted at the Area level and the regional level and include all sectors of DFO.

Generally, the 3Ps Canadian cod quota is fully harvested by the participating fleets.

Table 6

3Ps Cod Catch (mt) by Canadian Fleets
By Year, 2006-2008

Fleet/Allocation	2006	2007	2008***
Aboriginal	0	0	0
Sentinel	26	28	20
FG <65' 3Ps based	8,828	8,413	8,126
FG <65 3KL*	14	14	5
FG <65 3Pn	211	208	200
FG <65 3L (SMB)	244	281	154
MG <65'**	392	329	294
FG 65-100	379	495	126
MG 65-100		224	6
>100'	1,256	937	1,527
Total Canadian Catch	11,350	10,929	10,458
Canadian Quota	10,972	10,922	10,922
Note: The >65' have an EA transfer policy * Restricted to by-catch only **Includes 3Pn fleet ***Preliminary

Appendix 1

STOCK ASSESSMENT OF SUBDIVISION 3PS COD

	Fig. 1: 3Ps management area (shaded) unit areas (solid lines) and economic zone around the French islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon (SPM) (dashed line).

SUMMARY

• Information available to evaluate stock status consisted of commercial landings (1959 to 31 Dec 2008) and log-book data (1997-2008) in conjunction with information from Canadian research vessel (RV) trawl surveys (1972-2008), industry trawl surveys (1997-2005, 2007), and Sentinel surveys (1995-2008). Exploitation (harvest) rates were estimated from tagging experiments.
• Commercial catches by Canada and France combined for the ongoing 2008/09 management year totaled 9,300 t (to 31 Dec 2008), including 25 t from Sentinel surveys. Estimated landings from the recreational fishery in the summer of 2008 were 101 t. The total allowable catch (TAC) for 2008/09 is 13, 000 t.
• Commercial catches by Canada and France combined for the 2007/08 management year totaled 12,875 t, including 28 t from Sentinel surveys. In addition, two independent estimates of landings from the recreational fishery (summer 2007) ranged from 62 t to 217 t. The TAC for 2007/08 was 13, 000 t.
• The assessment concluded from tagging data and ancillary information that the complex of stock components exploited by fisheries in 3Ps does not comprise a single stock for which population biomass and abundance can be estimated from existing information. Therefore the impacts of fishing at specific TAC levels on all stock components could not be quantified.
• However, the DFO RV survey covers most of the stock, and survey trends broadly reflect stock trends.
• Indices from fixed-gear Sentinel surveys conducted shoreward of the DFO RV and industry trawl surveys have been stable in recent years.
• Inshore fish harvesters (<65' vessel sector) feel that the stability in their catch rates indicates there has been good recruitment and an overall stability in stock status.
• Exploitation rates for most inshore components in 2008 were approximately 10% which seems sustainable.
• The status of inshore components is uncertain, but indicators from the inshore are stable.
• Exploitation rates for offshore cod tagged in the Halibut Channel are not high but have increased in 2005-07.
• Total biomass from DFO RV surveys indicates a decline since 2004. The 2008 biomass estimate is less than 50% of the average for 1997-2008. The survey spawning stock biomass (SSB) is in decline and is near the lowest levels observed.
• Annual total mortality rates (age 5 -11) inferred from the DFO RV survey increased from an average of 23% in 1997-2004 to an average of 55% in 2005-07. This high value is a concern. Although the trend in natural mortality is unknown, fishing mortality has increased.
• Biological indicators of stock health, including growth rates and body condition, do not show any recent trend, but are lower compared to values in the 1980s when the stock was considered more productive and supported fisheries in excess of 30,000 t.
• Recent year-classes supporting the fishery are relatively weak in comparison to the strong 1997 and 1998 cohorts. Although preliminary indications are that the 2006 cohort is strong, this cohort will not recruit to the fishery until 2011.
• The 1997 and 1998 cohorts have now largely passed through the fishery. The 2006 year-class appears strong, and fisheries in 2009 and 2010 should be managed in ways to protect this year-class from premature capture until it has reached a size where it fully contributes to the mature population.
• Offshore harvesters (>65' vessels) see evidence that the relative abundance of the older fish in the offshore component is less than in recent years, and also see evidence of the reasonably strong 2006 year-class. Catch rates in the offshore fishery remain high in traditional areas, but a reduction in the 2009 catch is warranted to risk manage the SSB decline until the 2006 year- class recruits to the fishery.
• The basis for a limit reference point for this stock is B_Recovery, defined as the lowest observed SSB from which there has been a sustained recovery. The 1994 value of SSB has been identified as the limit reference level for this stock.
• Survey SSB has been decreasing in recent years and in 2008 was just above the limit reference point. If management is to be consistent with the Precautionary Approach, catches should be reduced compared to recent levels, and greater priority should be given to increasing SSB.
• If the management goal is to stop the current decline in offshore biomass then a reduction in TAC to 10,000 t is considered the minimum necessary, notwithstanding the uncertainties about survivorship and absolute size of biomass. If the management objective is to ensure growth in offshore biomass, then a greater reduction is considered necessary.
• The fishery should be managed such that catches are not concentrated in ways that result in high exploitation rates on any stock components.

INTRODUCTION

History of the fishery

Landings

Table 1: Landings by management year in NAFO Subdivision 3Ps (nearest thousand metric tons).

Management Year	97	98	99	00 (J-M)	00- 01	01- 02	02- 03	03- 04	04- 05	05- 06	06- 07	07- 081,4	08- 091,4
TAC	10.0	20.0	30.0	6.0	20.0	15.0	15.0	15.0	15.0	15.0	13.0	13.0	13.0
Canada	7.4	16.6	20.4	3.5	20.3	13.2	12.5	12.6	12.1	11.7	11.3	10.8	8.4
France	1.6	3.1	3.2	4.72	4.7	2.3	2.3	2.4	2.4	2.2	1.9	2.0	1.0
Totals	9.0	19.7	23.6	8.2	25.0	15.5	14.8	15.0	14.5	13.9	13.2	12.8	9.43
1 Provisional. 2 France (St. Pierre and Miquelon) is allocated 15.6% of the TAC but carried forward a portion the 1999 allocation to the first three months (Jan-Mar) of 2000. 3 Approximate landings to December 2008. 4 Does not include Canadian recreational fisheries.

 

Species Biology

Stock structure and migration patterns of 3Ps cod are complex. Migration of offshore components of the stock to inshore areas during spring and summer, as well as the existence of inshore components that remain outside the DFO RV trawl survey areas throughout the year, complicate the assessment of stock status.

Tagging studies initiated in spring 1997 in Placentia Bay were expanded in subsequent years (1998-2003) to include inner and outer Fortune Bay and two offshore areas (Burgeo/Hermitage Channel and Halibut Channel). Cod tagged inshore were mostly recaptured inshore, even 5-6 years after release. Some cod tagged offshore were recaptured in the inshore fixed gear fishery on the south coast during the summer and fall. Tagging indicated some movement of cod between 3Ps and neighbouring stock areas (3Pn4RS, 3KL, and 3NO). A telemetry study conducted from May 2004 to September 2005 to examine mixing of northern Gulf cod (3Pn4RS) into 3Ps showed that 61% of cod implanted with transmitters in the northern Gulf (3Pn4RS) crossed into 3Ps during winter. The peak of movement into 3Ps was in December and the peak of return into 3Pn was in the first two weeks of April.

Maturation in female cod was estimated by cohort. The proportion of female cod maturing at younger ages has increased over the last two decades. The reasons for the change toward earlier age at maturity are not fully understood but may partly be a response to high levels of mortality and have a genetic component. Males generally mature about one year younger than females but show a similar trend over time.

Spawning is spatially widespread in 3Ps, occurring close to shore as well as on Burgeo Bank, St. Pierre Bank, and in Halibut Channel. Timing of spawning is variable and extremely protracted, with spawning fish present from March until August in Placentia Bay.

Growth, calculated from length-at-age in research trawl survey samples, has varied over time. A peak occurred in the mid-1970s for young ages (3-4) and progressively later to 1980 for older ages. From the mid-1980s to the present, length-at-age tended to increase at young ages (2-3) and to vary with no clear trend at older ages. Year-to-year variability at older ages has been considerable during the past decade or so. Current values of length-at-age (from 2007 and 2008 surveys) are unusually low compared to previous observations.

The condition of cod is typically expressed as W/L3, where W is the gutted weight or liver weight, and L is the length. Comparison of post-1992 condition with that observed during 1985-1992 is difficult because survey timing has changed. Condition varies seasonally and tends to decline during winter and early spring. In general, condition of cod in the recent surveys shows no clear trend although the values from 2008 are relatively low.

ASSESSMENT

Resource Status

Sources of information:

Stock status was updated using data from commercial landings to the end of 2008, and abundance indices from Canadian research vessel (RV) trawl surveys (1972-2008), industry trawl surveys (Groundfish Enterprise Allocation Council, GEAC), (1997-2005; 2007), and Sentinel surveys (1995-2008). Catch rate data from logbooks for the < 35 ft sector (1997-2008) and of larger vessels (>35' sector, 1998-2008) were also examined. Annual exploitation rates were estimated from tagging experiments conducted in different regions of 3Ps during 1997-2008.

Research vessel surveys:

Canadian DFO RV bottom trawl surveys have been conducted since 1972. Surveys from 1972-1982 have poor coverage. The surveyed area was increased by 12% during 1997 when inshore strata were added. The DFO RV survey was not completed in 2006 due to unforeseen operational difficulties with the vessels. Survey indices are presented for the expanded DFO survey area (inshore and offshore; denoted "Combined" in figures) as well as for the offshore strata ("Offshore" in figures). The DFO RV survey covers most of the stock, and survey trends broadly reflect stock trends.

 

 

Age composition:

The 1997 and 1998 year-classes were strongly represented in the survey index for several years, but have not been strongly represented since the 2004 survey. The 1999-2005 year-classes (ages 3-9) also appear weaker in the most recent (2008) survey than the 1997 and 1998 year-classes did at these ages. The combined DFO RV survey caught relatively large numbers of 2 yr olds in 2008 and these were widely distributed across the surveyed area. However, the abundance of cod ages 5 and older in the 2008 survey is the third lowest in the time-series.

Mortality rates:

The annual total mortality rates (age 5 -11) inferred from the DFO RV combined survey increased from an average of 23% in 1997-2004 to an average of 55% in 2005-07. Total mortality rates reflect mortality due to all causes, including fishing.

Cohort Analysis:

Industry (GEAC) trawl survey:

During fall 1997-2005, an industry trawl survey was conducted with an un-lined commercial trawl. In each of these years this survey showed aggregations of cod in the southern Halibut Channel and on or adjacent to St. Pierre Bank. Abundance and biomass indices from this survey were variable, but show a decline over 2001-05. The 1997 and 1998 year classes were strongly represented in the GEAC survey index during 2001 to 2003. However, in both the 2004 and 2005 surveys, catches of several older ages, including the 1997 and 1998 year-classes, were substantially lower. Year-classes produced during 1999-2002 appear weak. During the fall of 2007, a new survey was conducted using a lined shrimp trawl and altered tow protocol from previous surveys and hence results are not comparable with previous estimates. In the 2007 survey, the 2006 year-class (age 1) was detected across most of the surveyed area, consistent with the DFO RV survey.

Sentinel survey:

Age composition:

The standardized age-specific indices for gillnets and line-trawls show similar trends with the relatively strong 1989 and 1990 year-classes being replaced by subsequent weaker year-classes resulting in an overall decline in catch rates.

Log books:

There is considerable uncertainty in the interpretation of fishery catch rate data. These data may be more reflective of changes in the nature of the fishery than changes in population size.

<35' Vessels:

Standardized annual catch rates from science log books (<35' sector) for vessels fishing gillnets show a declining trend during 1998-2000, but have subsequently been fairly constant (Fig. 9, upper panel). A declining trend during 1997-99 was observed for line-trawls, followed by stable catch rates to 2002 and an increase in 2004-06 (Fig. 9, lower panel). The 2007 catch rate has declined from the 2006 level but remains relatively high. The commercial index is based on weight of fish caught whereas the sentinel index is based on numbers. The percentage of the catch from the <35' sector that is accounted for in the standardized logbook indices has declined over time and now represents only about 25% of the catch as compared to 70% at the start of the time series in 1997. This likely affects the quality, and comparability, of this index over time.

>35' Vessels:

Median annual catch rates by gear sector and unit area from log books of larger vessels (>35' sector) were also examined. The data for offshore line-trawl were too sparse for firm conclusions to be drawn. Otter trawl catch rates have declined considerably over 2006-08. Gillnet catch rates were variable over the stock area, and in the recent period have been stable in Placentia Bay but generally decreased in the offshore.

Tagging:

Information from recaptures of cod tagged in 3Ps since 1997 was used to estimate average annual exploitation (harvest) rates in specific unit areas. During 1999-2005, the mean exploitation rate was relatively high for cod tagged in Placentia Bay (3Psc, 23-35%) compared to those tagged in Fortune Bay (3Psb, 9-17%), and Burgeo Bank/Hermitage Channel (3Psd, 1-9%).

There was insufficient information to estimate inshore exploitation rates in 2006 and 2007. During 2008, estimates of mean exploitation rate for cod tagged in Fortune Bay and Placentia Bay were approximately 10%. Tagging was conducted only in the western part of Placentia Bay in 2007, and exploitation rates for Placentia Bay may not be comparable to those from previous years when tagging was more widespread.

Exploitation rates for offshore cod tagged in the Halibut Channel are not high (2-9%) but have increased in 2005-07. There is uncertainty in the survival of fish caught and released after tagging offshore in deep (>200 m) water.

Recruitment:

In the sentinel line-trawl data at ages 3 and 4, the 2004 year-class appears to be slightly better than recent year-classes and is about average. In the gillnet index, the 2002 year-class (at ages 3-5) is stronger than all other recent cohorts, but is of below average strength. All other year-classes produced during 2000-05 appear weaker. Note that the 2006 year-class is not yet within the selection range of these gears.

Sources of Uncertainty

There is uncertainty regarding the origins of fish found in 3Ps at various times of the year. Tagging and telemetry experiments show that there is mixing with adjacent stocks (southern 3L and 3Pn4RS) and this may vary from year to year. The assessment is sensitive to mortality on 3Ps cod occurring when fish are outside 3Ps and to incursions of non-3Ps fish into the stock area at the time of the survey and the fishery.

Sentinel catch rates have remained stable at relatively low levels during the recent period while the DFO RV index has been declining. This may be indicative of differing trends within stock components.

Exploitation rates estimated from tagging in Halibut Channel have increased over 2005-07 while those in the inshore are variable. Thus it is uncertain if fishing mortality has increased on inshore components.

There is uncertainty in the survival of fish caught and released after tagging offshore in deep (>200 m) water. Lack of tagging in the inshore during 2004-06 makes estimation of exploitation rates in 2005-07 more uncertain as the catchability and numbers available to be recaptured diminish.

Tagging was conducted only in the western part of Placentia Bay in 2007, and exploitation rates for Placentia Bay may not be comparable to those from previous years when tagging was more widespread.

Trends in the level of natural mortality are difficult to measure and are uncertain.

ADDITIONAL STAKEHOLDER PERSPECTIVES

From an historical perspective, inshore harvesters attending the assessment meeting (<65' vessel sector) felt that current catch rates are average to high. Since 2000, catch rates for both gear types (longlines and gillnets) have been stable. The stability in catch rates indicates there has been good recruitment and an overall stability in stock status.

The Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union provided an industry perspective on the fishery by conducting a telephone questionnaire of fish harvesters. A total of 205 (22% of the 917 licence holders) participated in the survey. Harvesters said that catch rates and abundance were the same or better than in 2007. Harvesters said cod were about the same size as the previous year, were distributed throughout the area and were in good condition. When asked about baitfish species, harvesters said capelin and squid abundance was at a low level and decreasing, while herring abundance was good and increasing. There was no clear consensus on mackerel abundance.

Fishing by larger vessels (>65' vessel sector) occurs over a four month period from January to closing February 28 and from November to December. Catch rates during the later period were similar to previous years but lower during the winter months. Difficult weather conditions may have been a contributing factor as well as more fixed gear in the area competing with mobile gear for limited fishing grounds. There were fewer mobile gear vessels fishing during fall 2007 and winter 2008 because of operational issues ashore. Quota normally caught by these vessels was transferred to vessels less than 65 ft and to larger fixed gear vessels. Captains reported seeing herring sized cod escaping the cod ends during December 2008. The fishery tends to concentrate on the Bank during the fall months and in deeper water during the winter as the Bank cools off. The size and mix of fish changed dramatically as the fish moved into deeper water with large fish greater than 90 cm dominating the catch. Captains reported seeing very old fish in the catch many with bite marks and missing fins.

Offshore harvesters (>65' vessels) see evidence that the relative abundance of the older fish in the offshore component of the stock is less than in recent years, but there is also evidence of the reasonably strong 2006 year-class that is expected to recruit to the fishery beginning in 2011. Catch rates in the offshore fishery remain high in traditional areas of the fishery. A reduction in the 2009 catch is warranted as a bridging strategy to risk manage the SSB decline until the 2006 year class recruits to the fishery. The level of this reduction should be based on an objective of halting or curtailing the SSB decline during the 2009-11 period rather than being linked to achieving a rebuilding trajectory that is not likely to be achievable until 2011, regardless of the TAC level.

CONCLUSIONS AND ADVICE

The assessment concluded from tagging data and ancillary information that the complex of stock components exploited by fisheries in 3Ps does not comprise a single stock for which population biomass and abundance can be estimated from existing information. Therefore the impacts of fishing at specific TAC levels on all stock components could not be quantified. However, the DFO RV survey covers most of the stock, and survey trends broadly reflect stock trends. Any aggregations in April within the near-shore would not be measured by the DFO RV survey. The majority of the area shore-ward of the DFO RV survey lies within inner and western Placentia Bay. There is no evidence that a large fraction of the stock is shore-ward of the DFO RV survey in April.

A limit reference point (LRP, BRecovery ) was identified for this stock during the 2004 assessment (DFO, 2004). It is defined as the lowest observed spawning stock biomass (SSB) from which there has been a sustained recovery; the 1994 value of SSB has been identified as the LRP.

Survey SSB has been decreasing in recent years and in 2008 was just above the LRP. If management is to be consistent with the Precautionary Approach, catches should be reduced compared to recent levels, and greater priority should be given to increasing SSB.

Cohort analysis of the DFO RV survey data indicated that SSB declined by more than 20% per year over 2004-08. Recruitment will remain low in 2009-10 so this decline will likely continue through to 2010 with status quo landings. This also suggests that a TAC reduction of at least 20% is necessary to halt this decline. Hence, if the management goal is to stop the current decline in offshore biomass then a reduction in TAC to 10,000 t is considered the minimum necessary, notwithstanding the uncertainties about survivorship and absolute size of biomass. If the management objective is to ensure growth in offshore biomass, then a greater reduction is considered necessary.

Recent year-classes supporting the fishery are relatively weak in comparison to the strong 1997 and 1998 cohorts. Although preliminary indications are that the 2006 cohort is strong, this cohort will not recruit to the fishery until 2011. Furthermore, these fish will also begin maturing at about this time. If this year-class is as strong as presently indicated, and if total mortality is relatively low, it would be possible to quickly increase the spawning biomass. It would be prudent to consider management measures which would protect this year-class from all sources of fishing mortality (e.g. discarding, high-grading and landings) until it matures, thereby increasing the chance of the stock increasing well above the limit reference point.

Annual total mortality rates (age 5 -11) inferred from the DFO RV survey increased from an average of 23% in 1997-2004 to an average of 55% in 2005-07. This high value is a concern. Although the trend in natural mortality is unknown, fishing mortality has increased as inferred by the reduction of stock size during a period of constant landings.

The status of inshore components is uncertain. However, both sentinel linetrawl and sentinel gillnet indices are stable.

Overall, the findings of the current assessment are consistent with those of previous assessments. Several consecutive year-classes (1999-2005) have been relatively weak and are now (during 2007 and 2008) supporting the majority of total landings. This has lead to increased exploitation rates in the offshore, and contributed to an overall reduction in stock size.

Management Considerations

The implementation of trip limits, price differentials based on size, and individual quotas (IQ's), are all potential incentives for discarding and high-grading of catches. Recent investigations into this problem have identified that high-grading is occurring, but the quantity has not been determined. Quantifying discards could improve the understanding of stock productivity. This is an unaccounted source of fishing mortality.

If the 2006 year-class recruits strongly to the fishery, it would be prudent to consider management measures which would protect this year-class from all sources of fishing mortality (e.g. discarding, high-grading and landings) until it matures, thereby increasing the chance of the stock increasing well above the limit reference point.

Management should recognize that cod which overwinter in 3Ps are also exploited in adjacent stock areas (Division 3L and Subdivision 3Pn). Hence management actions in these stock areas should consider potential impacts on 3Ps cod.

Recent management measures (seasonal closures and switch to individual quotas, rather than a competitive fishery in western 3Ps) have reduced the reported winter catches from the mixing area (3Psa/d combined). Results from a telemetry study confirm that the timing of these closures is appropriate and that catches from this area in winter should continue to be minimized to reduce the potential impact on the 3Pn4RS cod stock.

A complex series of area/time closures on directed cod fishing in 3Ps has been introduced to address concerns about stock mixing and disruption of spawning activity. The consequences of area/time closures should be carefully considered as these may result in higher exploitation rates on the components of the stock that remain open to fishing.

The fishery should be managed such that catches are not concentrated in ways that result in high exploitation rates on any stock components.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

Temperature

Oceanographic information collected during the spring 2008 DFO RV survey indicated that near-bottom temperatures decreased to below normal values in many areas particularly on St. Pierre Bank, where the area of <0oC water increased to near 30%. The areal extent of bottom water with temperatures >3oC has remained relatively constant at about 50% of the total 3P area, although actual temperature measurements show considerable inter-annual variability. Spring bottom temperatures were below normal in 2008. Also, the area of bottom habitat covered by <0oC water was above normal in 2007 and 2008. These conditions are less favourable than those of the late 1970's and early 1980's when the stock was more productive.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Brattey, J., N.G. Cadigan, B.P. Healey, E.F. Murphy, M. J. Morgan, D. Maddock Parsons, D. Power, K. Dwyer, and J.-C. Mahé. 2008. Assessment of the cod (Gadus Morhua) stock in NAFO Subdivision 3Ps (November 2007). DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2008/029.

Brattey, J., N. G. Cadigan, B. P. Healey, E. F. Murphy, and J.-C. Mahé. 2007. An assessment of the cod (Gadus morhua) stock in NAFO Subdivision 3Ps in October 2006. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2007/053.

Brattey, J. and B. P. Healey. 2006. Exploitation of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) in NAFO Subdivision 3Ps: estimates from mark-recapture experiments for the October 2006 assessment. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2006/082.

Colbourne, E.B., E.F. Murphy. 2008. Physical oceanographic conditions in NAFO Division 3P during 2007 - possible influences on the distribution and abundance of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2008/027.

Cook, R. M. (1997). Stock trends in six North Sea stocks as revealed by an analysis of research vessel surveys, ICES Journal of Marine Science 54: 924-933.

DFO, 2004. Stock Assessment of Subdivision 3Ps cod. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2004/039.

Maddock Parsons, D., and R. Stead. 2008. Sentinel surveys 1995-2007: Catch per unit effort in NAFO Subdivision 3Ps. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2008/035.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Contact: Brian Healey
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
PO Box 5667
St. John's, NL
A1C 5X1
Tel: (709) 772-2001
Fax: (709) 772-4501
E-Mail: brian.healey@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

CORRECT CITATION FOR THIS PUBLICATION

DFO. 2009. Stock Assessment of Subdivision 3Ps cod. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2009/008.

Appendix 2

CONSERVATION HARVESTING PLAN
GROUNDFISH
INSHORE VESSELS LESS THAN 90 FEET
FIXED GEAR

NAFO Division 3Ps

This Conservation Harvesting Plan (CHP) applies to all inshore vessels less than 90 feet in length, regardless of homeport, fishing Groundfish in NAFO Sub-Division 3Ps using fixed gear and is in effect from April 1, 2009.

This CHP applies to the following species for the management cycle April 1 to March 31:

• Atlantic Halibut
• Cod
• Greenland Halibut (Turbot)
• Monkfish
• Redfish
• Skate
• White Hake
• Winter Flounder (Blackback)

GENERAL PROVISIONS

The following applies to all fisheries covered by this Conservation Harvesting Plan.

Definitions:

1. The area SOUTH of a straight line joining the following points is referred to as the "offshore area" and consists of units (d), (e), (f), (g) and (h):
   • 47 degrees 00'N latitude, 58 degrees 35'W longitude to
   • 47 degrees 00'N latitude, 57 degrees 00'W longitude to
   • 46 degrees 30'N latitude, 56 degrees 00'W longitude to
   • 46 degrees 30'N latitude, 54 degrees 20'W longitude.
      
2. The area NORTH of the line above is referred to as the "inshore area" and consists of units (a), (b) and (c).
    
3. A "fishing trip" is defined as starting from the time the vessel leaves port and ending when it returns to port, whether or not any fish has been caught.
    
4. A "fishing week" is defined as 00:01 on Monday to 24:00 on the following Sunday.
    
5. Fishing area 10 is defined as waters inside and shoreward of a line connecting the following coordinates:
   • 46 degrees 49'N latitude, 54 degrees 12'W longitude
   • 46 degrees 00'N latitude, 54 degrees 30'W longitude
   • Canadian Economic Zone 200 mile boundary N, 54 degrees 30'W longitude
   • Canadian Economic Zone 200 mile boundary N, 54 degrees 48'W longitude
   • 44 degrees 25'N latitude, 55 degrees 59'W longitude
   • Shore (Point Crewe) N, 55 degrees 59'W longitude
      
6. 3Ps units (a), (b) and (c) are defined by the following coordinates:
   
   
   • Unit area 3Ps(a)
     47 degrees 37.1'N, 57 degrees 41.7'W (Flannigan's Island)
     47 degrees 00.0'N, 58 degrees 35.0'W
     47 degrees 00.0'N, 57 degrees 00.0'W
     47 degrees 29.0'N, 56 degrees 12.0'W (Pass Island)
     
     Unit area 3Ps(b)
     47 degrees 29'N, 56 degrees 12'W
     47 degrees 00'N, 57 degrees 00'W
     46 degrees 30'N, 56 degrees 00'W
     46 degrees 53'N, 55 degrees 56'W
     
     Unit area 3Ps(c)
     46 degrees 53'N, 55 degrees 56'W
     46 degrees 30'N, 56 degrees 00'W
     46 degrees 30'N, 54 degrees 20'W
     46 degrees 49'N, 54 degrees,12'W
     
     
     
7. 3Ps units (d), (e), (f), (g) and (h) are defined by the following coordinates:
   
   
   • Unit area 3Ps(d)
     46 degrees 50'N, 58 degrees 50'W
     46 degrees 00'N, 57 degrees 48'W
     46 degrees 00'N, 57 degrees 00'W
     47 degrees 00'N, 57 degrees 00'W
     47 degrees 00'N, 58 degrees 35'W
     46 degrees 50'N, 58 degrees 50'W
     
     Unit area 3Ps (e)
     46 degrees 00'N, 57 degrees 00'W
     46 degrees 00'N, 56 degrees 00'W
     46 degrees 30'N, 56 degrees 00'W
     47 degrees 00'N, 57 degrees 00'W
     46 degrees 00'N, 57 degrees 00'W
     
     Unit area 3Ps (f)
     45 degrees 30'N, 56 degrees 00'W
     45 degrees 30'N, 54 degrees 30'W
     46 degrees 00'N, 54 degrees 30'W
     46 degrees 30'N, 54 degrees 20'W
     46 degrees 30'N, 56 degrees 00'W
     45 degrees 30'N, 56 degrees 00'W
     
     Unit area 3Ps(g)
     46 degrees 00'N, 57 degrees 48'W
     44 degrees 28'N, 56 degrees 00'W
     46 degrees 00'N, 56 degrees 00'W
     46 degrees 00'N, 57 degrees 48'W
     
     Unit area 3Ps (h)
     44 degrees 28'N, 56 degrees 00'W
     43 degrees 07'N, 54 degrees 30'W
     45 degrees 30'N, 54 degrees 30'W
     45 degrees 30'N, 56 degrees 00'W
     44 degrees 28'N, 56 degrees 00'W
     

A) FISHING GEAR

In the offshore area of NAFO sub-Division 3Ps defined as units (d) to (h) when fishing any species of Groundfish except Greenland Halibut and Skate/Monkfish , all fishing gear must be returned to port with the vessel at the end of the fishing trip.

GILLNETS

1. When fishing any species of Groundfish, you are required to report any lost gillnets to the nearest DFO office within 72 hours, if the loss is noticed before the closure of a fishing area. If the fishing area is already closed, the loss must be reported within 24 hours.
2. All gillnets used in all Groundfish fisheries must have the appropriate Groundfish gillnet tag attached as identified on the Gillnet Tag Schedule issued to you.
3. The gillnet tag must be affixed to the head rope of each gillnet within 1.85meters (6 feet) from the side rope on the end of the net where the float or buoy identifies the Vessel Registration number.
4. Unless otherwise stated, gillnets may be a maximum of 50 fathoms in length.

B) QUANTITY - See Species Specific CHP provisions

C) FISHING RESTRICTIONS - See Species Specific CHP provisions

D) MONITORING

Dockside Monitoring

• All Groundfish species except Lumpfish are subject to Dockside Monitoring of landings in accordance with DMP Schedule 01.

At-sea Observers

• Unless otherwise stated, industry-funded observer coverage is required. The target level of coverage is 5% of the fleet sector.

Hail Requirements

(1) Hail Out

NAFO sub-Division 3Ps - Unless otherwise authorized by DFO, prior to departure from port to fish for any species of Groundfish you are required to hail out, at least 24 hours prior to departure by contacting DFO, at 1-877-250-7852. The following information must be provided: name of vessel, VRN/ CFV number, name of captain or designated operator, port of departure, date and estimated time of departure, your contact telephone number and the species for which you intend to direct during the fishing trip.

(2) Hail In

• not applicable

Other Monitoring

• Satellite transponders will be required onboard vessels when requested by DFO.

E) INCIDENTAL CATCH

Definitions

For the purposes of this CHP, the following definitions apply to incidental catch provisions:

• Directed catch means the permitted species or combination of species authorized to be taken by the fisher at a time, in an area and/or by a means that is authorized in Species Specific Licence Conditions.
• Incidental catch means the catch retained on board of any species other than a directed species as defined above.
• Unless otherwise stated, incidental catch restrictions are always expressed as daily limits (00:01 hours to 24:00 hours local time).
• Unless otherwise stated, incidental catch restrictions expressed as a percentage are always calculated as a percentage of the round weight of the directed species retained onboard.

The following provisions apply to all Groundfish fisheries in NAFO sub-Division 3Ps:

1. When directing for any permitted Groundfish species or combination of species, incidental catch may not exceed 10% of the directed species retained onboard or 200 pounds whichever is greater unless otherwise specified below or in a species specific provision.
2. The incidental catch of Pollock may not exceed either the weight of the directed species retained onboard or 16,000 pounds weekly, whichever is greater.
3. The incidental catch of American Plaice may not exceed 10% or 1,000 pounds, whichever is greater.
4. The incidental catch of Haddock may not exceed either the weight of the directed species retained onboard or 16,000 pounds weekly, whichever is greater.
5. The incidental catch of Redfish when the directed Redfish fishery is closed, shall not exceed 10% or 1,000 pounds, whichever is greater.
6. An incidental catch of Shark that does not exceed 10% total weight is permitted to a maximum of 500 kilograms (1,100 pounds) per trip. At the time of landing and weighing of the Shark, all or a portion of the tailfin must be attached to the carcass. In addition, the pelvic fin (the paired fins adjacent to the cloaca or "vent") must be left intact and attached to the carcass.
7. The incidental catch of Atlantic (Striped ) Wolffish may not exceed 10% of the directed species retained onboard or 200 lbs., whichever is greater.
8. There is no limit on the incidental catch of Hake in the directed gillnet fisheries for Cod and Redfish.
9. The incidental catch of Grey sole may not exceed 10% of the directed species
   retained on board or 1,000 lbs, whichever is greater.

F) DISCARDING

1. All Atlantic Halibut less than 81cm and Northern and Spotted Wolffish and Leatherback Turtle must be released to the place from which it was taken and, when alive, in a manner that causes the least harm. You are also required to report any catch of Northern Wolffish, Spotted Wolfish and Leatherback Turtle in the logbook for your fleet sector.
2. Dogfish and Lumpfish may be returned to the water immediately, dead or alive.
3. Live Winter Flounder less than 25cm and American Plaice less than 20cm in length may be returned to the water immediately.

G) OTHER

Closures

1. If a fishery is closed due to incidental catch or when incidence of small fish exceeds tolerable levels. Closures will be in effect for a minimum of 10 days.
2. When a fishery is closed, it will not reopen until it can be effectively monitored and controlled.
3. If a fishery in a particular area is closed twice during the year, it may remain closed for the remainder of the year.
4. If a fishery is closed for the minimum 10-day period as a result of either high incidental catch levels or small fish problems, reopening will only be considered following a successful, observed, industry funded test fishery.

NAFO Regulatory Area

When fishing in the NAFO Regulatory Area outside Canadian waters, the captain of the vessel must abide by the NAFO Conservation and Enforcement Measures, including those summarized in Schedule 03 which must be attached to validate this licence.

Recreational Fishing

No recreational fishing activity is permitted onboard a commercial fishing vessel while the vessel is engaged in commercial fishing activity or while the vessel is in transit to or from the fishing grounds for the purposes of commercial fishing.

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SPECIES SPECIFIC PROVISIONS - ATLANTIC HALIBUT

In addition to the provisions outlined for all Groundfish fisheries, the following applies to the Atlantic Halibut fishery in 3Ps.

FISHING GEAR

• Hook and line fishing gear using hooks with a minimum gape opening of 15.4mm and minimum hook spacing of three (3) fathoms. The maximum number of hooks permitted is 4,000.

FISHING RESTRICTIONS

• Fishing is only permitted in water depths greater than 50 fathoms.
• Fishing is restricted to that portion of NAFO Sub-Division 3Ps unit (a) and (b) west of Boxey Point (47 degrees 24.3' N, 55 degrees 35' W) in Fortune Bay.

MONITORING - See General Provisions

INCIDENTAL CATCH - See General Provisions

DISCARDING - See General Provisions

OTHER

• In 2009, 44t allocated for this fishery. The total allocation has been divided with 24t for by-catch in other hook and line groundfish fisheries and 20t for directed fishery.
• The minimum size for Atlantic Halibut is 81cm (32 inches). All Atlantic Halibut less than this size must be released.

VALIDITY PERIOD

May 4, 2009, to June 15, 2009

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SPECIES SPECIFIC PROVISIONS - GREENLAND HALIBUT

In addition to the provisions outlined for all Groundfish fisheries, the following applies to the Greenland Halibut fishery in 3Ps.

FISHING GEAR

Gillnets

• When fishing in the inshore areas of 3Ps (a-c), the maximum number of nets permitted is 30.
• When fishing in the offshore areas of 3Ps (d-h), the maximum number of nets permitted is 500.
• When fishing in water depths between 100 and 400 fathoms, the maximum number of nets permitted is 200.
• The total number of nets used at any one time cannot exceed 500.
• Minimum mesh size is 6 inches in water depths less than 400 fathoms.
• Minimum mesh size is 7 ½ inches in water depths greater than 400 fathoms.

Longlines

• The maximum number of hooks permitted is 4,000.

FISHING RESTRICTIONS

• No fishing is permitted in water depths less than 100 fathoms.

MONITORING - See General provisions

INCIDENTAL CATCH - See General provisions

DISCARDING - See General provisions

OTHER

• The minimum size for Greenland Halibut is 45cm. Areas will be closed when the number of undersized Greenland Halibut reaches 15% of the catch.

VALIDITY PERIOD

May 9, 2009 - February 28, 2010

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SPECIES SPECIFIC PROVISIONS - REDFISH

In addition to the provisions outlined for all Groundfish fisheries, the following applies to the Redfish fishery in 3Ps.

FISHING GEAR

• A maximum number of 20 gillnets may be used.
• The minimum mesh size permitted is 5 ½ inches (140mm).

FISHING RESTRICTIONS

• Fishing is permitted in 3Ps units (a) and (b).
• Fishing is not permitted in water depths less than 100fathoms.

MONITORING - See General Provisions

INCIDENTAL CATCH - See General Provisions

DISCARDING - See General Provisions

OTHER

• The minimum size for Redfish is 22cm (9 inches). Areas will be closed when the number of undersized fish reaches 15% of the catch.

VALIDITY PERIOD

• July 1, 2009 to February 28, 2010.
• Annual spawning closure - April 1 to June 30

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SPECIES SPECIFIC PROVISIONS - SKATE/MONKFISH

In addition to the provisions outlined for all Groundfish fisheries, the following applies to the Skate/Monkfish fishery in 3Ps.

FISHING GEAR

• The minimum mesh size in gillnets is 12 inches when fishing outside 12 miles from land and 10 ½ inches when fishing less than 12 miles from land.
• When fishing outside 12 miles from land, the maximum number of gillnets permitted is 200. When fishing less than 12 miles from land, 40 gillnets.
• The maximum number of nets that can be fished is 200.

QUANTITY

• When fishing outside 12 miles from land, a weekly limit (Monday to Sunday) of 30,000 round weight of Skate or 11,111 pounds of Skate wings is permitted.

FISHING RESTRICTIONS

• You are permitted to fish for Skate and Monkfish within 12 miles of land ONLY if your largest registered vessel is less than 40 feet in length.

MONITORING - See General Provisions

INCIDENTAL CATCH - See General Provisions

DISCARDING - See General Provisions

OTHER - See General Provisions

VALIDITY PERIOD

• Greater than 12 miles from land - May 8, 2009 to February 28, 2010
• Less than 12 miles from land - June 22, 2009 to February 28, 2010

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SPECIES SPECIFIC PROVISIONS - WHITE HAKE

In addition to the provisions outlined for all Groundfish fisheries, the following applies to the White Hake fishery in 3Ps.

FISHING GEAR

• Hook and line or gillnets are permitted.
• In 3Ps (d), (e), (f), (g) and (h), a maximum of 6,000 hooks or 100 gillnets may be used by fish harvesters with a Cod IQ in 3Ps.
• In 3Ps (a) and (b), hook and line may be used with a maximum of 4,000 hooks, or 20 gillnets may be used by fish harvesters with a Cod IQ in 3Ps.
• When fishing gillnets, the minimum mesh size is 6 inches and the maximum mesh size is 8 ½ inches (215mm).

FISHING RESTRICTIONS

• Fishing is not permitted in 3Ps (c).
• Fishing is not permitted in water depths less than 75 fathoms.

MONITORING - See General Provisions

INCIDENTAL CATCH - See General Provisions

DISCARDING - See General Provisions

OTHER - See General Provisions

VALIDITY PERIOD

• 3Ps (a) and (b) gillnet and hook and line - May 9, 2009 to February 28, 2010
• 3Ps (d),(e),(f),(g) and (h) gillnet and hook and line - May 9, 2009 to February 28, 2010

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SPECIES SPECIFIC PROVISIONS - WINTER FLOUNDER (BLACKBACK)

In addition to the provisions outlined for all Groundfish fisheries, the following applies to the Winter Flounder (Blackback) fishery in 3Ps.

FISHING GEAR

• A maximum of 20 gillnets may be used.
• The minimum mesh size is 6 ½ inches and the maximum is 8 ½ inches.

FISHING RESTRICTIONS

• Fishing is only permitted in 3Ps (a), (b) and (c)
• Fishing is not permitted in water depths greater than 30 fathoms.

MONITORING - See General Provisions

INCIDENTAL CATCH - See General Provisions

DISCARDING - See General Provisions

OTHER - See General Provisions

VALIDITY PERIOD

May 4, 2009 to February 28, 2010

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SPECIES SPECIFIC PROVISIONS - COD

In addition to the provisions outlined for all Groundfish fisheries, the following applies to the Cod fishery in 3Ps.

FISHING GEAR

Cod Traps:

1. Cod traps - a maximum of 2 per enterprise may be fished for those licensed to fish Cod traps;
2. Mesh sizes: minimum 3 1/2-inches mesh size throughout the trap and a minimum 7 inches mesh size in the leader.
3. Cod traps will be set a minimum of 3 meters (1.64 fathoms) below the surface; OR Cod traps will have Salmon deflectors attached, as follows:

• Each trap will be rigged with two, 178mm (7-inch) mesh deflectors and each deflector will be a minimum of 20 meshes deep (hung depth 1.64 fathoms).
• The hung length of each deflector will be 1.5 times the distance from the trap front corner to the leader. One end of each deflector will be attached to the top front corners of the trap and the other end attached to the leader headrope so that each deflector is taut.
• Each deflector will have floats on the headrope and leads or leadrope on the footrope.
• One end of the deflector skirtline is to be attached 20 meshes down the leader, while the skirtline on the other end of the deflector will be attached 3 metres (1.64 fathoms) down the trap front corners.

Gillnets:

1. A minimum of 5 1/2 inch (140 mm) mesh size to a maximum 6 1/2 inch (165 mm) mesh size may be used;
2. The maximum number of gillnets of 50 fathoms each permitted to be used is as follows:
   • 20 nets in 3Ps (a), (b), (c);
   • 40 nets in 3Ps (d), (e), (f), (g), (h).
3. In 3Ps (d), (e), (f), (g), and (h), all gillnets must be returned with the vessel at the end of each trip;
4. Gillnets may not be left unattended in the water for more than 48 hours;

Hook and Line:

1. The maximum number of hooks permitted on a longline is 4,000.
   A maximum of 6 baited or feathered hooks may be used on a handline.
2. Jiggers and jigging are not permitted.

QUANTITY

Individual Quotas (3Ps Based and 3KL Overlap vessels)

Fleet Sector	Area 10	Area 11	3KL Overlaps	3Ps Equivalents
< 24-11	12,977 lbs, (round weight)	12,977 lbs, (round weight)	NA	NA
25-34-11	20,758 lbs, (round weight)	20,758 lbs, (round weight)	10,400 lbs, (round weight)
>35	35,036 lbs, (round weight)	43,273 lbs, (round weight)	17,500 lbs, (round weight)	17,500 lbs, (round weight)

Note: There is no directed Cod fishery in 3Ps for 2009/2010 for 3KL overlaps and equivalents, as per the Hearn Report recommendations. The above amounts are maximum amounts of incidental catch of Cod that may be taken for the year when directing for other groundfish species in 3Ps.

Fleet Sector	Branch/Point Lance	Rest of SMB
< 24-11		5,700 lbs, (round weight)
25-34-11	13,490 lbs, (round weight)	10,070 lbs, (round weight)
>35	25,650 lbs, (round weight)
35- 44	18,145 lbs, (round weight)
> 44	19,285 lbs, (round weight)

• For those with Cod Individual Quota (IQ) licences, all Cod caught, from any fishery, whether directed or by-catch, will be charged against the IQ for that licence.
• Once the amount of Cod in the fish harvester's IQ has been taken, the fish harvester must cease fishing for all species of groundfish in 3Ps.

Competitive Fishery (3Pn Overlap Vessels)

1. 168 t quota allocated
2. Maximum yearly harvest caps established: < 25' = 12,977 lbs, round; 25' - 39' 11" = 20,758 lbs, round; 35' to 39' 11" and your vessel eligibility is 40" or greater = 43,273 lbs, round; > 40' = 43,273 lbs, round.
3. Harvesting cap limits apply to the total amount of Cod caught by the enterprise from all sources during the fishing season (i.e. directed Cod fisheries or from by-catch in other Groundfish fisheries, or any combination thereof).
4. When you have reached your total harvesting cap, you must cease fishing activities.
5. Weekly harvest limits (directed or bycatch) of 6, 000 lbs, round.
6. When weekly harvest limit is taken, fishing gear must be removed from the water and not reset until 0600 hours on Monday of the next week.

FISHING RESTRICTIONS

Inner St. Mary's Bay Overlap Vessels

1. May only fish Area 29. Defined as that portion of Area 10 south of the area defined by straight lines joining the following points:
   • 47 degrees 27.1' N, 53 degrees 56' W
   • 47 degrees 21.5' N, 54 degrees 11.5' W
   • 46 degrees 52.2' N, 54 degrees 42' W
   • 46 degrees 56' N, 55 degrees 14.3' W

Fish harvesters are not permitted to fish Cod in two NAFO divisions or sub-divisions (e.g. 3Ps, 3Pn or 3KL) during the same fishing trip or on the same day.

Fish harvesters are not permitted to fish inside French territorial waters without authorization from St. Pierre and Miquelon.

Paradise Sound closure

The department has responded to an industry-requested measure to protect fish overwintering in Paradise Sound. As a result, Paradise Sound will be closed to fishing from January 1 to February 28 on an annual basis, NORTH of a straight line defined by joining the following points:

• 47 degrees 29.350' N, 54 degrees 29.953' W
• 47 degrees 29.657' N, 54 degrees 31.100' W

MONITORING - See General Provisions

INCIDENTAL CATCH - See General Provisions

DISCARDING - See General Provisions

OTHER

• The minimum size for Cod is 45 cm (18 inches).
• Areas will be closed for specified fleet sectors when the number of undersize Cod reaches 15% of the catch.
• The Cod trap fishery is susceptible to small fish. If necessary, the cod trap fishery will be closed to ensure that the overall catches of small fish in cod traps do not exceed 30%.

VALIDITY PERIOD

3Ps Based, 3Pn Overlap vessels, and Branch/Point Lance vessels

Hook and Line, Cod Traps and Gillnets:

1. Inshore areas 3Ps (a), (b), (c) May 18 - December 12, 2009
2. Offshore 3Ps (f), (h) May 18, 2009 - December 12, 2009.
3. Offshore 3Ps (d) May 18, 2009 - November 15, 2009
4. Offshore 3Ps (e), (g) May 18, 2009 - November 15, 2009

3KL Overlap Vessels and Equivalent

Bycatch only - no directed Cod fishery in 3Ps for 2009/2010, as per Hearn Report recommendations.

Inner St. Mary's Bay Overlap Vessels

Season runs from September 1, 2009 - December 12, 2009.

Harvest Restrictions - Early Opening

FRCC recommended opening dates for 3Ps are:

• June 1 for inshore areas
• July 1 for offshore areas

The department has agreed to requests from industry for earlier opening dates as indicated above. The total amount of Cod that can be landed between the early opening dates and the recommended opening dates is 20% of < 65 fixed gear fleet share.

Fishing activity will be minimized during peak spawning and mixing periods, and will include the following measures:

1. The area inside Sound Island, Woody Island, and Bar Haven Island, (Baker's Cove Point to Jigging Point) in Placentia Bay will be closed to all groundfish fishing for the period January 1 - Start of new season
2. Burgeo Bank, 3Ps (d), (e), (g) closed November 15 - Start of new season
3. Offshore 3Ps (f), (h) closed March 1 - Start of new season
4. Inshore 3Ps (a), (b), (c) closed March 1 - Start of new season
5. 3Ps(a) closed to all non-resident 3Ps fishers November 15 - Start of new season

Measures for 2009-10

1. Fishery to close December 12, 2009
2. Fishery to re-open January 4 to16, 2010 subject to availability of fleet allocation.
3. January 4-16, 2010 - 3Ps(b) - bottom of Fortune Bay from a straight line drawn from Lally Cove Head (eastern reference point) to Pool's Cove Head (western reference point) [see Annex 1] open to 3Ps fishers with homeports inside the line. Subject to availability of quota.
4. January 4-16, 2010 - 3Ps(c) - bottom of Placentia Bay from a straight line drawn from Grandy's Pt (eastern reference point) to Pt Verde (western reference point) [see Annex 2] open to 3Ps fishers with homeports inside the line. Subject to availability of quota.

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Annex 1

Annex 2

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CONSERVATION HARVESTING PLAN
GROUNDFISH
INSHORE VESSELS LESS THAN 90 FEET
MOBILE GEAR

NAFO Division 3Ps

This Conservation Harvesting Plan (CHP) applies to all inshore vessels less than 90 feet in length, regardless of homeport, fishing Groundfish in NAFO Division 3Ps using mobile gear and is effective April 1, 2009.

This CHP applies to the following species on the April 1 to March 31 management cycle:

• Cod
• Redfish
• Skate
• Witch Flounder (Grey sole)

Definitions:

1. The area SOUTH of a straight line joining the following points is referred to as the "offshore area" and consists of units (d), (e), (f), (g) and (h):
   • 47 degrees 00'N latitude, 58 degrees 35'W longitude to
   • 47 degrees 00'N latitude, 57 degrees 00'W longitude to
   • 46 degrees 30'N latitude, 56 degrees 00'W longitude to
   • 46 degrees 30'N latitude, 54 degrees 20'W longitude.
2. The area NORTH of the line above is referred to as the "inshore area" and consists of units (a), (b) and (c).
3. A "fishing trip" is defined as starting from the time the vessel leaves port and ending when it returns to port, whether or not any fish has been caught.
4. The coordinates for each of the areas within 3Ps are attached.

A) FISHING GEAR

The type of gear permitted is:

• Cod - Otter trawl with a minimum 155mm diamond mesh or 145mm square mesh in all parts of the trawl
• Redfish - Otter trawl with a minimum of 90mm diamond mesh in all parts of the trawl
• Skate - Otter trawl with a minimum 300mm mesh in the cod end and 254mm mesh in the remainder of the trawl.
• Witch Flounder (Grey sole) - Danish seine with a square mesh of a minimum of 155mm in the cod end and the non-tapering part of the cod end lengthening piece for a minimum of 50 meshes. In the remainder of the net, the minimum mesh size must not be less than 130mm diamond.

B) FISHING RESTRICTIONS

1. With the exception of the Redfish and Witch Flounder fisheries, the use of mobile fishing gear is prohibited in the inshore area of 3Ps as defined above.
    
2. The water in which fishing for Redfish is permitted is Redfish Area Unit 2 in that part of NAFO Sub-Division 3Ps outside of 12 nautical miles from the nearest point of land and in that portion of 3Pn outside the 100 fathom edge defined by using the following points:
   • 47 degrees 37'00"N, 59 degrees 18'12"W
   • 47 degrees 35'45"N, 59 degrees 20'00"W
   • 47 degrees 33'30"N, 59 degrees 17'00"W
   • 47 degrees 30'15"N, 59 degrees 10'30"W
   • 47 degrees 28'30"N, 59 degrees 01'00"W
   • 47 degrees 23'30"N, 59 degrees 48'00"W
   • 47 degrees 26'30"N, 59 degrees 25'00"W
   • 47 degrees 38'25"N, 59 degrees 26'45"W

1. Fishing is not permitted in Placentia Bay inside a straight line drawn from Cape St. Mary's (46 degrees 49'N, 54 degrees 12'W) to Ferryland Head (46 degrees 52'N, 55 degrees 23'W).
    
2. Fishing is not permitted in Fortune Bay inside a line drawn from Cape la Hune to Point Crewe following the points in the order listed below:
   • 47 degrees 31'36"N, 56 degrees 52'36"W
   • 47 degrees 21'54"N, 56 degrees 29'40"W
   • 47 degrees 18'19"N, 56 degrees 15'18"W
   • 47 degrees 06'02"N, 56 degrees 06'18"W
   • 46 degrees 54'54"N, 55 degrees 58'42"W
      
3. Annually, on November 15, 3Ps (d), (e) and (g) will be closed to any directed Cod fishing. This closure is intended to protect Gulf Cod that are mixing with 3Ps Cod. This closure will be in effect until the Cod fishery opens on June 1 of the following season.
    
4. Annually, on November 15, 3Ps (d) is closed to all bottom fishing for Redfish. This closure will be in effect until June 1 of the following season. This closure was established in 2007 as a means to reduce Cod by-catch. This closure will be evaluated annually.
    
5. Annually, on March 1, the 3Ps Cod fishery will close. This is a spawning closure and will be in effect until May 31 of that year, for this fleet.

C) MONITORING

Dockside Monitoring

All vessels are subject to 100% Dockside Monitoring.

At-sea Observers

Industry-funded at-sea observer coverage is required.

Hail Requirements

Hail Out

1. When fishing Witch Flounder (Grey sole) using Danish Seine in 3Ps, you are required to hail out, at least 24 hours before leaving port, the following information to Fisheries and Oceans, Canada at 709-832-3012: vessel name, vessel registration number, captain's or name, location, estimated time of departure and directed species.

Hail In

1. When fishing Witch Flounder (Grey sole) using Danish Seine in 3PS, you are required to report the round weight of all species caught each day in a daily hail to DFO as described in Schedule 33 [ see Annex 1]. Schedule 33 must be attached to validate this license. This information shall be faxed daily to 709-772-4232.

Test Fisheries

If a fishery is closed for the minimum 10 day period as a result of either high incidental catch levels or small fish problems (see below), reopening will only be considered following a successful, observed, industry funded test fishery.

Other Monitoring

Satellite transponders will be required onboard vessels if requested by DFO.

D) INCIDENTAL CATCH

For the purposes of this CHP, the following definitions apply:

"Directed species" means the permitted species, or combination of species, retained on board and taken by the fisher at a time, in an area and by a means that is authorized in Species Specific Licence conditions.

"Incidental catch" means the catch retained on board of any species other than a directed species as defined above.

Unless otherwise stated, incidental catch restrictions are always expressed as daily limits (00:01 hours to 24:00 hours local time) and are always calculated using round weights.

Unless otherwise stated, incidental catch restrictions expressed as a percentage are always calculated as a percentage of the round weight of the directed species retained onboard.

1. The daily incidental catch of each closed species/stock may not exceed 10% of the weight of the directed species retained onboard or 90.7 kg (200 pounds) whichever is greater.
2. The daily incidental catch of Atlantic Halibut may not exceed 10% of the weight of the directed species retained onboard.
3. The daily incidental catch of Pollock may not exceed 20% of the weight of the directed species retained on board.
4. All incidental catch of Cod will apply against the fisher's individual quota (IQ).
5. When a fisher's IQ has been taken, either through directed or incidental catch, all other Groundfish fisheries will be closed to the fisher.
6. An incidental catch of Shark is permitted that does not exceed 10% of the total weight of the authorized Groundfish onboard your vessel, to a maximum of 500 kilograms (1100 pounds). At the time of landing and weighing of the Shark, all or a portion of the tailfin must be attached to the carcass. In addition, the pelvic fin (the paired fins adjacent to the cloaca or "vent") must be left intact and attached to the carcass.

For fishers directing for Witch Flounder (Greys ole) with Danish Seine, the following provisions also apply:

1. The daily incidental catch of Cod may not exceed 5% of the weight of Witch Flounder retained onboard.
2. Any Cod taken as incidental catch will be charged against the 3Pn-based mobile gear quota.
3. The daily incidental catch of American Plaice may not exceed 10% of the weight of Witch Flounder (Grey sole) retained onboard.

Where there are widespead incidental catch problems, an entire area may be closed to the fleet sector.

E) DISCARDING

1. All Atlantic Halibut less than 81cm and all Northern and Spotted Wolfish must be released to the place from which it was taken and, when alive, in a manner that causes the least harm.
2. Dogfish and Lumpfish may be returned to the water immediately, dead or alive.
3. Live American Plaice less than 20cm and live winter flounder less than 25cm in length may be returned to the water immediately.

F) OTHER

Closures

1. A fishery is closed due to incidental catch or small fish problems, closures will be in effect for a minimum of 10 days.
2. When a fishery is closed, it will not reopen until it can be effectively monitored and controlled.
3. If a fishery in a particular area is closed twice during the year, it may remain closed for the remainder of the year.
4. If a fishery is closed for the minimum 10 day period as a result of either high incidental catch levels or small fish problems (see below), reopening will only be considered following a successful, observed, industry funded test fishery.

Small Fish Protocol

The following minimum sizes apply:

• Cod - 45cm
• Redfish - 22 cm

Areas will be closed for specific fleet sectors when the number of small fish reaches or exceeds 15% of the catch of any of the above species.

Recreational Fishing

No recreational fishing activity is permitted onboard a commercial fishing vessel while the vessel is engaged in commercial fishing activity or while the vessel is in transit to or from the fishing grounds for the purposes of commercial fishing.

French Zone

No fishing is permitted in French Territorial water without authorization from officials in St. Pierre and Miquelon. Requests must be forwarded to DFO.

G) Fishing Seasons

Notwithstanding circumstances such as closures for incidental catch, fishing restrictions noted above, small fish or late Ministerial approval of TACs, the following seasons will be in place:

Cod

• 3Ps based MG fleet: June 1 - Feb 28
• Other MG (4R3Pn-based) fleet - July 1 - Feb 28

All Eligible Fleets

• Redfish July 1 to March 31 (April 1- June 30 spawning closure)
• Skate April 1 to March 31
• Witch Flounder (Greys ole) April 1 to March 31

Other conservation measures may be identified and implemented during the year as required.

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COORDINATES FOR 3PS AREAS

UNIT AREA 3PSa 47°37.1'N, 57°41.7'W (Flannigan's Island) 47°00'N, 58°35'W 47°00'N, 57°00'W 47°29'N, 56°12'W (Pass Island)	UNIT AREA 3PSb 47°29'N, 56°12'W 47°00'N, 57°00'W 46°30'N, 56°00'W 46°53'N, 55°56'W
UNIT AREA 3PSc 46°53'N, 55°56'W 46°30'N, 56°00'W 46°30'N, 54°20'W 46°49'N, 54°12'W	UNIT AREA 3PSd 46°50'N, 58°50'W 46°00'N, 57°48'W 46°00'N, 57°00'W 47°00'N, 57°00'W 47°00'N, 58°35'W 46°50'N, 58°50'W
UNIT AREA 3PSe 46°00'N, 57°00'W 46°00'N, 56°00'W 46°30'N, 56°00'W 47°00'N, 57°00'W 46°00'N, 57°00'W	UNIT AREA 3PSf 45°30'N, 56°00'W 45°30'N, 54°30'W 46°00'N, 54°30'W 46°30'N, 54°20'W 46°30'N, 56°00'W 45°30'N, 56°00'W
UNIT AREA 3PSg 46°00'N, 57°48'W 44°28'N, 56°00'W 46°00'N, 56°00'W 46°00'N, 57°48'W	UNIT AREA 3PSh 44°28'N, 56°00'W 43°07'N, 54°30'W 45°30'N, 54°30'W 45°30'N, 56°00'W 44°28'N, 56°00'W

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Annex 1

Fisheries and Oceans
Canada

SCHEDULE 33
3Ps HAIL REPORT

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NAME :

FIN :

Subject to sub-Section 22(1) of the Fisheries (General) Regulations, Groundfish Fixed Gear and Mobile Gear licences, where specified in the licence conditions, are subject to the following:

1. You are required to hail out 24 hours prior to vessel departure to telephone number 709-832-3012 (DFO).
2. You are required to report the round weight of all species caught each day, vessel activity, notice of landing and other information as described, and in the format provided below in Item 3 - Daily Hail Report.
   
   
3. DAILY HAIL REPORT

Vessel Name :

CFV :

Departure Date / Time :

VESSEL ACTIVITY:

Check one:

Steaming to Fishing Ground
Fishing
Steaming to Port

3Ps HAIL REPORT FOR :

Day Month Year

DIRECTED SPECIES :

SPECIES	ROUND WEIGHT (POUNDS)	NAFO AREA
WITCH FLOUNDER
REDFISH
COD
MONKFISH
ATL. HALIBUT
WHITE HAKE
TURBOT
YELLOWTAIL
SKATE
AMERICAN PLAICE
HADDOCK
POLLOCK
Other
TOTAL =

HAIL IN: A MINIMUM OF 12 HOURS NOTIFICATION OF RETURN TO PORT SHALL BE PROVIDED.

Name of port where Vessel will land:

Estimated time of Arrival:

Day Month Year

YOUR HAIL REPORT SHALL BE FAXED TO DFO AT 709-772-4232 EACH DAY, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT THERE HAS BEEN FISHING ACTIVITY.

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CONSERVATION HARVESTING PLAN (CHP)
ATLANTIC-WIDE FOR
FIXED GEAR VESSELS 65'-100'

2009

This Conservation Harvesting Plan (CHP) applies on an Atlantic-wide basis to all fixed gear vessels 65'-100'.

Licence conditions for fixed gear vessels will authorize the licence holder to direct for specified species and indicate the management measures under which these fisheries will be undertaken. Directed fishing for any other groundfish species will require a separate licence condition and harvesting plan.

Note: When members are operating under charter arrangements for Nunavut allocation holders in Division 0A, the Division 0A CHP must be followed.

FISHING GEAR:

Licence holders can only fish for species and in areas listed on their licence. While fishing for the species listed in column I below in the NAFO AREA specified in column II, licence holders are only permitted to use gillnets having the minimum mesh size specified in column III and/or longline having the minimum hook size specified in column IV. Hook size in Column IV is measured by gape opening which is the shortest measurement from the shank to the tip of the hook.

	Species	Area	Min. Mesh Size (mm)	Min. Gape Size (mm)
1.	All species not specified below	All Areas	165	15.4
2.	Cod	3Ps	140-165 * (5.5''-6.5'')	15.4
3.	Cod	4X,5Y	NA	12.0
4.	Cod	5Z (j,m)	NA	12.0
5.	Haddock	4X,5Y	NA	12.0
6.	Haddock	5Z (j,m)	NA	12.0
7.	Pollock	4VWX,5Zc	NA	12.0
8.	Yellowtail Flounder	3LNO	165	15.4
9.	Witch	3Ps	165	15.4
10.	Witch	4RST	165	15.4
11.	American Plaice	4T	165	15.4
12.	Flounder	4VsW	NA	12.0
13.	Flounder	4X,5Y	NA	12.0
14.	Greenland Halibut (Turbot)	0, 2GH+3KLMNO	153 @ <400 fathoms (730 meters) 190 @ >400 fathoms (730 meters)	15.4
15.	Greenland Halibut	2J	190 @ >400 fathoms (730 meters)	15.4
16.	Atlantic Halibut	3NOPs+4RST	NA	15.4
17.	Atlantic Halibut	4VWX + 5	NA	12.0
18.	Skate/Monkfish	3LNOPs	300	15.4
19.	White Hake	3NOPs	165	15.4
20.	Any stock not listed above	Within 4VWX&5	NA	12.0
21.	Any stock not listed above	Outside 4VWX&5	155 Diamond or equivalent	15.4
NOTES :	* Minimum and maximum mesh size NA =Not Authorized as gillnets are not permitted.

Gillnet Provisions:

• The maximum length of each gillnet may not exceed 50 fathoms.
• Gillnets may not be used to fish in 3Pn, 4VWX+5.
• When fishing for Greenland Halibut in 2J and 3NO, gillnets are only authorized in water depths greater than 400 fathoms.
• When fishing Greenland Halibut in NAFO Sub-areas 0,2, or 3KLMNO, the maximum number of nets that may be used is 500.
• Gillnets are not permitted inside 400 fathoms in NAFO Division 2J.
• When fishing any species of groundfish, you are required to report any lost gillnets to the nearest DFO office within 72 hours, if the loss is noticed before the closure of a fishing area. If the fishing area is already closed, the loss must be reported immediately.
• Groundfish gillnets must be identified by a tag issued for the current year under the authority of the Minister. The gillnet tag must be affixed to the foot rope of the gillnet within 1.85 meters from the end of the net closest to the haul-up line for the fleet of nets.

BY-CATCH PROVISIONS:

For the purposes of this CHP, the following definitions apply:

"Directed fishery" means the harvesting of permitted species, or combination of species, that the license holder is licensed to fish, harvested by the license holder at a time, in an area and by a means authorized in license conditions.

"By-catch" means the incidental or unintentional capture of non-targeted species while fishing for directed species as authorized under the licence. This includes species not regulated.

For the purpose of monitoring by-catch on a per trip basis, a trip is defined as starting from the time when the vessel leaves port and ending when it returns to port to offload its catch.

By-catch is calculated as the weight of a by-catch species divided by the weight of the directed species X 100.

1.	Unless defined below	5% per day of any species
2.	In 4VW	10% daily for each of cod or haddock with a cap of 10% by-catch of all other non-quota species. Landing of any non-quota groundfish species including cusk, will be monitored to ensure that landings do not exceed traditional harvest levels. 20% by-catch of white hake when fishing for other species.
3.	In 4RST while fishing for other groundfish species	10% daily of cod and white hake
4.	In NAFO areas 2 and Division 3K	10% bycatch per day by weight of the authorized directed species per incidentally caught species.
5.	In 3LNO	5% per haul, and the total per trip shall not exceed 1250 kg or 5%, which is greater.
6.	In 3NOPs while fishing for other species	20% per trip of white hake, except when using longline gear.
7.	In 4X +5	10% by-catch of white hake
8.	When fishing for other groundfish using gillnets	10% per day of Atlantic halibut, and must be counted against EA.
9.	In 3Ps	10% per day of cod during any closure for this stock
10.	When fishing for groundfish in NAFO Divisions 3LN	10% per haul of redfish, and the total for the trip shall not exceed 2500kg or 10%, whichever is greater.
11.	Towards the objective of avoiding a redirection of effort towards stocks not previously fished by this fleet, DFO will develop maximum annual quota caps for each of these species.
12.	By-catches of all quota species will be counted against enterprise allocations first and then competitive quotas.
13.	During the 3Ps cod spawning closure, the following measures will apply to all groundfish: Licence holders are required to have sufficient EA of cod to cover off any by-catch levels. If the percentage of by-catches in any one day have exceeded 10% for cod, the vessel must immediately move a minimum of 10 nautical miles from any position of the previous haul and throughout the next haul keep a minimum distance of 10 nautical miles from any position of the previous haul. If after moving, the next haul exceeds the by-catch limits, the vessel must leave the Division and not return for at least 60 hours. Designated areas will be closed for an individual licence holder or specific fleet sectors where limits are exceeded.
Note: Designated areas will be closed for specified fleet sectors when limits are reached or exceeded. DFO reserves the right to close fisheries if the by-catch limits are exceeded.

OTHER MEASURES:

Small Fish Protocol:

Fish will be considered undersized if smaller than:

Cod, haddock and Pollock	43 cm in all areas except 3Ps where 45 cm will apply
White hake	45 cm
All other flatfish	30 cm in all areas except 4VWX where 33 cm will apply to witch
Greenland Halibut (Turbot)	45 cm in Sub-areas 0, 2 and 3

Designated areas may be closed when the number of undersized fish reaches or exceeds 15% of the catch of any of the above species.

Catch Monitoring and Test Fishing:

1. 100% Dockside Monitoring Program (DMP) is required.
2. 100 % Observer coverage is required when fishing in 4RS,3Pn.
3. In division 0B, 100% observer coverage is required when fishing from January 1 to April 30 and 20% observer coverage is required when fishing from May 1 to December 31.
4. Small fish and bycatch closures will be a minimum duration of 10 days. The cost of any test fishery with the use of an observer will be borne by the industry. Closure of areas due to small fish and bycatch concerns may be more than 30 days if consecutive tests reveal levels exceeding those set out in the protocol. Opening of any test area in 4VW for halibut or white hake will require a test fishery to determine the cod and haddock by-catch level and presence of small fish.
5. In Sub-areas 0, 2 & 3, for species other than white hake and halibut, test fishing will be required to determine if these fisheries can proceed with minimum by-catch of closed species.
6. Fishing will only be permitted in one of the following areas on a per trip basis unless accompanied by an At Sea Observer:
   • 0, 2+3KL
   • 3NO
   • 3Ps
   • 4R3Pn
   • 4X, 5Y
   • 5Z
7. Once an area has been opened in 4VW, arrangements will be made to carry observers on a routine basis to ensure that by-catch or small fish is within acceptable levels.
8. All fish caught (including that which is used for bait purposes) must be recorded in the logbook.
9. Unless otherwise specified above, industry funded observer coverage at a rate of 10-20 percent. To facilitate this, the licence holder will notify the observer company prior to each planned departure as noted below.

Juvenile, Spawning and other Fishing Restrictions:

1.	4Vn and 4Vsb	November 1 until April 30
2.	4VW juvenile area	closed to all groundfish sectors
3.	Brown's Bank spawning closure	February 1 - June 15
4.	George's Bank closure	March 1 until May 31.
5.	4RST Atlantic halibut	January 1 - May 16
6.	3Ps, Burgeo Bank stock mixing closure	November 15 to April 15.
7.	3Ps cod closure	a) Coastal Area 3Ps, units a,b,c, closed March 1 until May 31 b) Offshore Area 3Ps units d,e,f,g,h, closed March 1 until June 30
8.	3Ps unit d, e, g mixing closure	November 15- April 15
9.	4T cod spawning closure	April 1- June 15
10.	Bay St George area	closed to all groundfish fisheries April 1 -June 15
		Point	North Latitude	West Longitude
11.	Orphan Knoll Seamount closure to all fishing activities involving demersal fishing gears, except approved exploratory fishing activities, defined by connecting the following coordinates (in numerical order and back to coordinate 1) from January 1, 2007 until December 31, 2010.	1.	50°00' 30'' N	45°00' 30'' W
		2.	51°00' 30'' N	45°00' 30'' W
		3.	51°00' 30'' N	47°00' 30'' W
		4.	50°00' 30'' N	47°00' 30'' W
12.	Fishing with gillnets and mobile gear is not permitted within the Hawke Channel defined by the following coordinates:	1.	53°20'N	54°45' W
		2.	53°20'N	53°20' W
		3.	52°30'N	53°20'W
		4.	52°30'N	54°45'W
13.	Fishing with gillnets and mobile gear is not permitted within the Funk Island Deep defined by the following coordinates:	1.	49°40' N	53°20' W
		2.	50°50' N	53°20' W
		3.	50°50' N	52°40' W
		4.	50°30' N	52°40' W
		5.	50°30' N	52°30' W
		6.	49°40' N	52°30' W
14.	Corner Seamounts closure to all fishing activities involving demersal fishing gears, except approved exploratory fishing activities, defined by connecting the following coordinates (in numerical order and back to coordinate 1) from January 1, 2007 until December 31, 2010	1.	35°00' 00'' N	48°00' 00'' W
		2.	36°00' 00'' N	48°00' 00'' W
		3.	36°00' 00'' N	52°00' 00'' W
		4.	35°00' 00'' N	52°00' 00'' W
15.	Newfoundland Seamounts closure to all fishing activities involving demersal fishing gears, except approved exploratory fishing activities, defined by connecting the following coordinates (in numerical order and back to coordinate 1) from January 1, 2007 until December 31, 2010.	1.	43°29' 00'' N	43°20' 00'' W
		2.	44°00' 00'' N	43°20' 00'' W
		3.	44°00' 00'' N	46°40' 00'' W
		4.	43°29' 00'' N	46°40' 00'' W
16.	New England Seamounts closure to all fishing activities involving demersal fishing gears, except approved exploratory fishing activities, defined by connecting the following coordinates (in numerical order and back to coordinate 1) from January 1, 2007 until December 31, 2010	1.	35°00' 00'' N	57°00' 00'' W
		2.	39°00' 00'' N	57°00' 00'' W
		3.	36°00' 00'' N	64°00' 00'' W
		4.	35°00' 00'' N	64°00' 00'' W
17.	4X+5 Coral Closure Area - is described below by straight lines joining the following points in the order they are listed.	1.	42°04' 00'' N 65°	44' 00'' W
		2.	42°00' 00'' N 65°	45' 00'' W
		3.	41°55' 30'' N 65°	40' 00'' W
		4.	42°00' 00'' N 65°	40' 00'' W
18.	30 Coral Closure Area - Closed to fishing activity involving bottom contact gear from January 1, 2008 until December 31, 2012.	1.	42°54' 00'' N	51°00' 00'' W
		2.	42°52' 04'' N	51°31' 44'' W
		3.	43°24' 13'' N	51°58' 12'' W
		4.	43°24' 20'' N	51°58' 18'' W
		5.	43°39' 38'' N	52°13' 10'' W
		6.	43°40' 59'' N	52°27' 52'' W
		7.	43°56' 19'' N	52°39' 48'' W
		8.	44°04' 53'' N	52°58' 12'' W
		9.	44°18' 38'' N	53°06' 00'' W
		10.	44°18' 36'' N	53°24' 07'' W
		11.	44°49' 59'' N	54°30' 00'' W
		12.	44°29' 55'' N	54°30' 00'' W
		3.	43°26' 59'' N	52°55' 59'' W
		14.	42°48' 00'' N	51°41' 06'' W
		15.	42°33' 02'' N	51°00' 00'' W
19.	Stone Fence Closure - 12 sq. kilometres	1.	44°29' 30'' N	57°12' 30'' W
		2.	44°29' 30'' N	57°10' 00'' W
		3.	44°27' 30'' N	57°09' 00'' W
		4.	44°27' 30'' N	57°12' 30'' W
20.	Fishing is not permitted in these Fogo Seamount areas and shall be closed to all bottom fishing activities from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2010. The closed areas are defined by connecting the following coordinates.	Fogo Seamounts 1:
		1.	42°31'33''N	53°23'17"W
		2.	42°31'33"N	52°33'37"W
		3.	41°55'48"N	53°23'17"W
		4.	41°55'48"N	52°33'37"W
		Fogo Seamounts 2:
		1.	41°07'22"N	52°27'49"W
		2.	41°07'22 'N	51°38'10"W
		3.	40°31'37"N	52°27'49"W
		4.	40°31'37"N	51°38'10"W
21.	Narwhal over wintering grounds and cold water coral closure. No Greenland halibut fishing in the area bounded by lines connecting the following points. Points 1 and 4 are connected by the NAFO Division boundary.	1.	68°15'N	58°33'4.7W
		2.	68°15'N	60°30'W
		3.	67°15'N	60°30'W
		4.	67°15'N	57°50'33"W
22.	All other areas and groundfish species are open year round subject to variation orders or notices to fishers.

NOTE: Coordinates in licence conditions or issued by variation order should be considered the official closed areas and override the above noted.

OTHER MEASURES:

• Mandatory release of all Atlantic halibut < 81 cm (32"), Atlantic sturgeon, stripped bass.
• Mandatory release of Northern and Spotted wolffish. Striped wolfish may be returned to the water.
• Fishing for skate prohibited in 4VWX+5.
• Licence holders are required to have sufficient quotas remaining on their licence before beginning a trip for a quota based groundfish stock.
• Satellite transponders are required onboard and operational on all vessels.
• There will be quota reconciliation applied to all overruns.

Access to the 0B fixed gear competitive Greenland Halibut quota is available to the following enterprises:

1. Funk Island Banker Limited (formerly Baffin Sound Ltd.)
2. Jonathan & Amy Fisheries
3. Jonathan MacKinnon Fisheries
4. Labrador Fisherman's Union Shrimp Company (2 licences)
5. Dominion Trading (1 licence)
6. 10507 Newfoundland Limited
7. Usueshuk Fisheries Limited
8. Plus 14 groundfish licence holders from the <65' fleet

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Annex 1

FIXED GEAR 65-100' MEMBER COMPANIES

UEUSHUK FISHERIES (formerly IDLP Baffin Run Ltd.)
CLEARWATER SEAFOODS LTD.
FISHERMAN'S MARKET INT'L INC. (formerly Lady Sharrell Fisheries Ltd.)
FUNK ISLAND BANKER LTD. (formerly Baffin Sound)
10507 NEWFOUNDLAND LTD.
JONATHAN & AMY FISHERIES LTD.
JONATHAN MACKINNON
HARBOUR GRACE SHRIMP CO.
11176 NFLD LTD.

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CONSERVATION HARVESTING PLAN
FIXED GEAR "SCANDINAVIAN LONGLINE" VESSELS

2009

This Conservation Harvesting Plan (CHP) applies to all fixed gear (Scandinavian longline) vessels.

License conditions will authorize the license holder to direct only for those groundfish species and in the areas specified on the license documents. Directed fishing for any other species of groundfish or in any areas other than NAFO Subareas 0, 2 and 3 will require a separate harvesting plan and license conditions.

Note: When members are operating under charter arrangements for Nunavut allocation holders in Division 0A, the Division 0A CHP must be followed.

FISHING GEAR:

The following table shows the gear specifications permitted for the species for which you have access. Directed fishing for any other species or in any other area will require a separate CHP and license conditions. The hook size is indicated as a gape opening which is the shortest measurement from the shank to the tip of the hook.

	Species	Area	Min. Mesh Size (mm)	Min. Gape Size (mm)
1.	Greenland Halibut (Turbot)	0B	- 153 mm in water depths < 400 fathoms (730 meters) - 190 mm for waters >400 fathoms (730 meters)	15.4mm
2.	Greenland Halibut	2GH3KLMNO	- 153 mm in water depth 300- 400 fathoms (730 meters) - 190 mm in water depth >400 fathoms (730 meters)	14.0mm
3.	Greenland Halibut	2J	- 190 mm in water depth > 400 fathoms (730 meters)	14.0 mm
4.	Atlantic Halibut	3NO	Not authorized	15.4mm
5.	Atlantic Halibut	3Ps	Not authorized	15.4mm
6.	Monkfish	3LNO	300 mm	15.4mm
7.	Skate	3LNOPs	300 mm	15.4mm
8.	White hake	3NOPs	165 mm	15.4mm

Gillnet Provisions:

• When fishing any species of groundfish, you are required to report any lost gillnets to the nearest DFO office within 72 hours, if the loss is noticed before the closure of a fishing area. If the fishing area is already closed, the loss must be reported immediately.
• Groundfish gillnets must be identified by a tag issued for the current year under the authority of the Minister. The gillnet tag must be affixed to the foot rope of the gillnet within 1.85 meters from the end of the net closest to the haul-up line for the fleet of nets.
• Gillnets cannot exceed 50 fathoms in length.
• Gillnets are not permitted inside 400 fathoms in NAFO Division 2J.
• When fishing Greenland Halibut in NAFO Subareas 0, 2 or 3KLMNO, the maximum number of nets that can be tagged and used in fishing operations at any one time is 500. When fishing in NAFO Division 0B, an additional 200 nets may be carried on board the vessel to replace damaged and lost gear as required. Replacement nets must be tagged prior to use.
• When fishing for skate/monkfish in NAFO Divisions 3NO, the maximum number of nets that may be used is 200.
• Both gillnet and hook and line gear may be used in the same fishing trip only if an at-sea observer is onboard the vessel.

BY-CATCH PROVISIONS:

For the purposes of this CHP, the following definitions apply:

"Directed fishery" means the harvesting of permitted species, or combination of species, that the license holder is licensed to fish, harvested by the license holder at a time, in an area and by a means authorized in license conditions.

"By-catch" means the incidental or unintentional capture of non-targeted species while fishing for directed species as authorized under the licence. This includes species not regulated.

For the purpose of monitoring by-catch on a per trip basis, a trip is defined as starting from the time when the vessel leaves port and ending when it returns to port to offload its catch.

Unless otherwise stated, by-catch restrictions are expressed as daily limits (00:01 to 24:00 hours local time) and are calculated using round weights.

By catch is calculated as the weight of a by-catch species divided by the weight of the directed species X 100.

1.	Unless defined below	5% per day of any species
2.	In NAFO Area 2 and Division 3K	10% per day combined weight of closed/moratoria species
3.	In NAFO Division 3LNO	5% per haul or 1250 kg, whichever is greater.
4.	When fishing groundfish using gillnets	10% of Atlantic halibut per day.
5.	When directing for skate in 3LNOPs	5% per trip. Before directed fishing can take place for 3Ps skate, you must arrange quota transfers from Enterprise Allocation holders to cover off any by-catches of species under quota management.
6.	When fishing for groundfish in NAFO Divisions 3LN	10% of redfish per haul, and the total for the trip shall not exceed 2500 kg or 10%, whichever is greater.
7.	When directing for groundfish in NAFO Sub-division 3Ps	10% of cod per day.

NOTE: Designated areas may be closed for specified fleet sectors when limits are reached or exceeded. DFO reserves the right to close fisheries if the by-catch limits are exceeded.

Incidental catch of all quota-managed species will be counted against enterprise allocations first, and then competitive quotas.

During the 3Ps cod spawning closure (March-June), the following measures will apply to all groundfish:

• Licence holders are required to have sufficient EA of cod to cover of any by-catch levels.
• There will be quota reconciliation applied to all overruns.
• If the percentages of by-catches in any one day have exceeded 10% for cod, the vessel must immediately move a minimum of 10 nautical miles from any position of the previous haul and throughout the next haul keep a minimum distance of 10 nautical miles from any position of the previous haul. If after moving, the next haul exceeds the by-catch limits, the vessel must leave the Division and not return for at least 60 hours.
• Designated areas will be closed for an individual licence holder or specific fleet sector where limits are exceeded.

Release of Incidentally caught Groundfish:

1. All Atlantic halibut less than 81cm in length must be released to the place from which it was taken, and where alive, in a manner that causes the least harm.
2. Northern and Spotted wolffish must be forthwith returned to the water. Dogfish, lumpfish and striped wolffish may be returned to the water.
3. Live winter flounder less than 25cm and live American plaice less than 20cm in length may be returned to the water.
4. The estimated weight of each species discarded or any groundfish species used for bait must be recorded in the fishing log.

FISHING RESTRICTIONS:

The following restrictions apply when directing for Greenland Halibut (Turbot):

Greenland Halibut (Turbot)	Fishing is not permitted in any area with any gear in water depths less than 160 fathoms.
	Point	North Latitude	West Longitude
NAFO Division 0A: Narwhal over wintering grounds and cold water coral closure. No Greenland halibut fishing in the area bounded by lines connecting the following points. Points 1 and 4 are connected by the NAFO Division boundary.	1.	68°15'N	58°33'4.7"W
	2.	68°15'N	60°30'W
	3.	67°15'N	60°30'W
	4.	67°15'N	57°50'33"W
Fishing is not permitted in these Fogo Seamount areas and shall be closed to all bottom fishing activities from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2010. The closed areas are defined by connecting the following coordinates.	Fogo Seamounts 1:
	1.	42°31'33''N	53°23'17"W
	2.	42°31'33"N	52°33'37"W
	3.	41°55'48"N	53°23'17"W
	4.	41°55'48"N	52°33'37"W
	Fogo Seamounts 2:
	1.	41°07'22"N	52°27'49"W
	2.	41°07'22"N	51°38'10"W
	3.	40°31'37"N	52°27'49"W
	4.	40°31'37"N	51°38'10"W
NAFO Division 2J When fishing south of 54 °40΄ latitude, fishing is not permitted within 20 nautical miles from land. Fishing using gillnets is not permitted in the Hawke Channel closed area, the inshore crab zones or in water depths less than 400 fathoms.
NAFO Divisions 3KL Fishing using gillnets is not permitted in the Inshore crab areas or in the Funk Island Deep. Fishing using gillnets is not permitted in water depths between 160 and 300 fathoms unless successful test fishing to determine by-catch levels has been undertaken (see below).
NAFO Division 3NO Fishing with gillnets is not permitted in water depths less than 400 fathoms.
NAFO Division 3O - Coral Closure Effective January 1, 2008 until December 31, 2012, fishing activity using bottom contact gear is not permitted in the area enclosed by the following co-ordinates.	1.	42°53'00"N	51°00'00" W
	2.	42°52'04" N	51°31'44" W
	3.	43°24'13" N	51°58'12" W
	4.	43°24'20 N	51°58'18" W
	5.	43°39' 38"N	52°13'10" W
	6.	43°40'59" N	52°27'52" W
	7.	43°56'19" N	52°39'48" W
	8.	44°04'53" N	52°58'12" W
	9.	44°18'38" N	53°06'00" W
	10.	44°18'36" N	53°24'07" W
	11.	44°49'59" N	54°30'00" W
	12.	44°29'55" N	54°30'00 "W
	13.	43°26'59"N	52°55'59" W
	14.	42°48'00"N	51°41'06 "W
	15.	42°33'02" N	51°00'00" W

CATCH MONITORING:

1. All vessels are subject to 100% Dockside Monitoring.
2. Industry-funded at-sea observer coverage is required. The target level of observer coverage for the fleet sector will be 10%, except in Division 0B where 100% observer coverage is required when fishing from January 1 to April 30 and 20% observer coverage is required when fishing from May 1 to December 31.
3. Hail out:
   • License holders must notify the observer company prior to each planned departure.
4. Reporting requirements:
   • Hail in and daily catch hails are required as outlined in license documents.
5. Satellite transponders are required on board and operational on all vessels.

OPENING DATES:

0B Greenland Halibut	January 1, 2009
2+3K Greenland Halibut	January 1, 2009
3LMNO Greenland Halibut	January 1, 2009
3NO Atlantic Halibut	April 1, 2009
3Ps Atlantic Halibut	April 1, 2009

QUOTA PERIODS:

NAFO Stocks	January 1 - December 31 (subject to identified closure provisions)
All other species and areas	April 1 - March 31 (subject to identified closure provisions

Note: Opening and closing dates contained in license conditions or variation orders will be considered official.

OTHER MEASURES:

Small Fish Protocol:

Fish will be considered undersized if smaller than:

Greenland Halibut	45cm in Subareas 0, 2 & 3; 44cm in 4RST
Atlantic Halibut	81cm in all areas
White Hake	45 cm in 4VWX, 4RST

Note: Designated areas may be closed when the number of undersized fish reaches or exceeds 15% of the catch of any of the above species.

Closures:

1. If a fishery is closed due to incidental catch or small fish problems, closures will be in effect for a minimum of 10 days. Where the closure is due to a high by-catch of crab, the closure will be in effect for 14 days.
2. When a fishery is closed, it will not reopen until it can be effectively monitored and controlled.
3. When a fishery is closed, it will not reopen until after a successful test fishery has been conducted with an at-sea observer present.
4. If a fishery in a particular are is closed twice during the same year, it may remain closed for the remainder of the year.

Test fisheries:

1. Directed fishing for Greenland Halibut using gillnets will not be permitted in water depths less than 300 fathoms in 3KL unless a test fishery has demonstrated that incidental catches of crab are within acceptable levels.
2. Test fisheries will be required to reopen a fishery that has been closed for small fish or incidental catch reasons.
3. Test fishery protocols must be submitted by the fleet sector and approved by DFO. Fishing results will be jointly reviewed by the fleet sector and DFO prior to the opening of closed fisheries.

NAFO Regulatory Area

When fishing in the NRA, the captain of the vessel must abide by the NAFO Conservation and Enforcement Measures.

Quota Management

License holders are required to have sufficient quota remaining on their license before commencing fishing operations for a quota-managed groundfish stock.

Other conservation measures may be identified and implemented during the year as required.

Access to the 0B fixed gear competitive Greenland Halibut quota is available to the following enterprises:

1. Funk Island Banker Ltd (formerly Baffin Sound Ltd.)
2. Jonathan & Amy Fisheries
3. Jonathan MacKinnon Fisheries
4. Labrador Fisherman's Union Shrimp Company (2 licenses)
5. Dominion Trading (1 license)
6. 10507 Newfoundland Limited
7. Usueshuk Fisheries Limited
8. Plus 14 groundfish license holders from the <65' fleet

NOTE: EA status has been granted for the following fisheries: 2+3K turbot, 3LMNO turbot, 3NO Atlantic halibut and 3Ps Atlantic halibut, and are being fished as such, rather than on a competitive

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CONSERVATION HARVESTING PLAN (CHP)
ATLANTIC-WIDE FOR
MOBILE GEAR VESSELS 65-100'

2009

This Conservation Harvesting Plan (CHP) applies on an Atlantic-wide basis to all vessels fishing under licence conditions issued to mobile gear (mg) vessels 65-100' offshore groundfish. It will remain in effect until amended by DFO and the representative for this fleet.

A licence condition will authorize the license holder to direct only for those groundfish species specified on the licence documents. Directed fishing for any other species of groundfish will require a separate harvesting plan and licence condition. Fixed gear vessels added to a mg 65-100' member licence to fish using fixed gear may require separate fixed gear conditions and a CHP amendment that effectively addresses any specific conservation concerns associated with the use of fixed gear for a given fishery that are not already adequately addressed in this CHP.

FISHING GEAR:

Minimum mesh sizes will be:

	Species	Area	Min. Mesh Size (mm)		Min. Gape  ize (mm)
1.	Unless otherwise specified below		155 mm diamond or equivalent
2.	Redfish		90 mm in Unit II and 90 mm mid-water trawl in 3O NRA, 110 mm in Unit III; and 130mm in 3M
3.	American Plaice	4RST	170 mm square or 155 mm diamond
4.	Witch	3Ps	145 diamond or 155 square		15.4mm
5.	Witch	4RST	155 mm diamond
6.	Witch	4VsW	145 diamond or 155 square		12mm
7.	Flatfish	4VWX+5	155 mm square
8.	Yellowtail Flounder	3LNO	145		15.4
9.	Skate in all areas		300 mm in codend, 254 mm in remainder of trawl		15.4mm
10.	Greenland Halibut (Turbot)	0,2+3K, 3LMNO	- 145 mm diamond or 155 mm square in the lengthening piece and codend. In order to minimize meshing, 90 mm or greater may be used in the wings, body and bellies of the trawl. 130 mm in the NRA.		15.4mm
11.	Cod	4T	145 mm diamond
12.	Cod	3Ps	155 diamond or 145 square		12mm
13.	Pollock	4VW	130 mm square or 155 mm diamond		12mm
14.	Silver hake	(except 4VWX+5)	55 mm square with 40mm approved grate.
15.	Silver hake	4VWX +5	130 mm square applied to the codend and the non-tapering part of the lengthening piece. Other parts of the net cannot be less than 130 mm.
16.	Use of mesh <130 mm is prohibited in 4X north of 43°30'N latitude in the Bay of Fundy
17.	Use of mesh <130 mm is prohibited in any area where the water is 50 fathoms or less in depth
18.	Use of mesh <130 mm is prohibited in the Brown's Bank spawning area from January 1 to June 30
			Point	North Latitude		West Longitude
19.	Use of mesh <130 mm is prohibited in the area defined by the following coordinates (bowtie):		1.	43°27'		65°12'
			2.	43°05'		65°40'
			3.	42°40'		65°40'
			4.	43°10'		64°28'
			5.	43°27'		65°12'

BY-CATCH PROVISIONS:

For the purposes of this CHP, the following definitions apply:

"Directed fishery" means the harvesting of permitted species, or combination of species, that the license holder is licensed to fish, harvested by the license holder at a time, in an area and by a means authorized in license conditions.

"By-catch" means the incidental or unintentional capture of non-targeted species while fishing for directed species as authorized under the licence. This includes species not regulated.

For the purpose of monitoring by-catch on a per trip basis, a trip is defined as starting from the time when the vessel leaves port and ending when it returns to port to offload its catch.

By catch is calculated as the weight of a by-catch species divided by the weight of the directed species X 100.

In 4VWX+5, by-catch is calculated as the weight of the by-catch species divided by the total weight of all other groundfish on board.

1.	Unless defined below	5% per trip of any species.
2.	When directing for redfish with mesh less than 130 mm square	10% per trip combined of areas all groundfish other than white hake.
3.	When directing for redfish with mesh less than 130 mm square	20% per trip of white hake in 3NOPs and subject to the Canadian by-catch quota
4.	When directing for redfish in Units II and III (excluding 4X)	5% per trip of cod with a 2% overall cap
5.	When directing for redfish in Units II and III (excluding 4X)	5% per trip of other closed species with a 2% overall cap if under quota management
6.	When directing for 2+3K and 3O redfish	5% per trip for each of cod, haddock and flatfish
7.	NAFO Area 2 and Division 3K	10% per trip by weight of the authorized directed species .
8.	In 3LNO	5% per trip and the total per trip shall not exceed 1250kg or 5%, whichever is greater.
9.	When directing for skate in 3LNO	5% per trip of cod and flatfish combined
10.	When fishing in 4VW	5% per trip for each of cod and haddock with a 2% overall cap for each of cod and haddock
11.	When directing for American plaice and witch in 4RST	25% per trip of cod; not limited to 25% if remaining quota exists and when using 155 mm diamond or 170 mm square mesh
12.	In 4RST groundfish fisheries	10% per trip of white hake with a 2% overall cap
13.	When directing for 3NO white hake	5% weekly for cod, 10% weekly for haddock and 5% monthly for American plaice
14.	When fishing 3Ps	20% per trip of pollock. This level will be monitored and if required jointly reviewed by DFO and the fleet. Cod by-catch shall not exceed 10% per trip up to a maximum 10t cod per year.
15.	When directing for Witch in 3Ps	10% weekly of haddock with a 5% cap. 50% weekly of American plaice which will be monitored and if required, jointly reviewed by DFO and the fleet.
16.	When fishing for groundfish in NAFO Divisions 3LN	10% of redfish per trip, and the total per trip shall not exceed 2500 kg or 10%, whichever is greater.
17.	By-catch levels of species not noted above or any other non-quota species	Should remain at the lesser of previous historic tonnage levels or a maximum of 10% per trip of each species. To avoid redirection of effort towards stocks not previously fished, DFO and the fleet will jointly develop a maximum annual quota cap for each of these species.
18.	By-catch of all quota species will be counted against enterprise allocations of competitive quotas.

Note: Designated areas may be closed for specified EA holders or fleet sectors when limits are reached or exceeded. DFO reserves the right to close fisheries if the by-catch limits are exceeded.

OTHER MEASURES:

Small Fish Protocol:

1. Fish are considered undersized if smaller than the following:
   

   Cod, haddock and Pollock	43 cm in all areas except 3Ps where 45 cm will apply
   Redfish	22 cm in all areas
   American Plaice, yellowtail	30 cm in all areas
   Witch	30 cm in all areas except 4VWX where 33 cm will apply
   Greenland halibut (Turbot)	45 cm in all Canadian regulated areas, except 4RST which is 44 cm
   White hake	45 cm in all areas

   
   
2. Designated areas may be closed when the number of undersized fish reaches or exceeds 15% of the catch of any of the above species. While the 15% small fish limit will not be strictly applied in the turbot fishery, harvests of undersized fish will be closely monitored to determine if additional management measures (i.e. area/seasonal closures) are required.
3. There are 36 areas applicable for by-catch provisions and/or small fish protocol when directing for yellowtail in 3LNO. Each of these areas will be monitored and provisions/protocols applied separately.

Catch Monitoring and Test Fishing:

1. A 100% industry funded Dockside Monitoring Program is required.
2. Small fish and by-catch closures will be a minimum duration of 10 days.
3. Test fisheries may be conducted after 10 days with all costs borne by industry.
4. Opening of any test area in 4VW for flatfish or redfish will require a test fishery to determine the cod and haddock by-catch level and presence of small fish.
5. Test area 1 in 4VW will require observers at all times when fishing a mesh less than 130 mm and closure duration may exceed 30 days if consecutive tests reveal by-catch or small fish protocol levels are being exceeded.
6. Industry-funded observer coverage at the rate of 5% to 20% decided jointly between DFO and MIGVO on a stock by stock basis; the coverage rate for the 4T cod fishery will be 10%, and 0B observer coverage is 100% for MG all year.
7. DFO shall direct the observer company regarding the coverage rates for each fishery as determined above, and unless directed otherwise by DFO to address an extraordinary situation, either DFO or the observer company is responsible for the reasonable and equitable implementation of a program to ensure the fleet's compliance with the targeted coverage rates. To facilitate this, the license holder will either notify the observer company at least 6 hours prior to each planned departure, or will provide a weekly report on the current and projected activity of the respective vessels.

Quota Periods:

NAFO Stocks and Georges Bank	January 1 - December 31 (subject to identified closure provisions)
Gulf of St. Lawrence Stocks	May 15 - May 14 (subject to identified closure provisions)
30 Redfish - <100' competitive quota	April 1 - December 31 (subject to identified closure provisions)
All other species and areas	April 1 - March 31 (subject to identified closure provisions

NOTE: Opening and closing dates contained in licence conditions or variation orders will be considered official.

Juvenile, Spawning and other Fishing Restrictions:

Fisheries are subject to closures identified in Regulations or by Variation Orders or Notices. he following are some fisheries closures in effect each year:

1.	Unit II redfish spawning closure	April 1 - June 30
2.	Unit II redfish mixing closure (4Vn,3Pn)	October 1 - June 30
3.	3NO closed to directed fishing for yellowtail	June 15 - July 31
4.	3Ps cod spawning closure	March 1 - June 30
5.	3Ps unit d, e, g mixing closure	November 15- April 15
6.	3Ps unit d redfish closure	November 15-March 15 - closed to bottom fishing. Since this measure is intended to reduce the amount of cod-by-catch in the redfish fishery, it will be evaluated annually.
7.	3Ps units a, b & c (inshore areas)	Closed to cod fishing
8.	4Vn closed to all fishing	January 1 - April 30
9.	4Vn closed to directed flatfish fishing	All year (April 1 - March 31)
10.	4Vsb closed to bottom trawling	January 1 - April 30 Otter trawling for pollock may be permitted during this period provided there is 100% observer coverage.
11.	4RS3Pn cod and 4TVn cod spawning closure	April 1 - June 23
12.	Brown's Bank spawning closure	February 1 - June 15
13.	George's Bank closure	January 1 - May 31
14.	4VW juvenile area closure	All year (April 1 - March 31)
15.	Roseway Bank 4X closure	April 1 - March 31 due to small fish problems, unless an observer is onboard the vessel.
		Point	North Latitude	West Longitude
16.	4X+5 Coral closure area is described by straight lines joining the following points in the order in which they are listed:	1.	42°04' 00'' N	65°44' 00'' W
		2.	42°00' 00'' N	65°45' 00'' W
		3.	41°55' 30'' N	65°40' 00'' W
		4.	42°00' 00'' N	65°40' 00'' W
		5.	42°04' 00'' N	65°44' 00'' W
17.	4Vs Coral closure area is described ay straight lines drawn through the following points in the order in which they are listed:	1.	44°29' 30'' N	57°12' 30'' W
		2.	44°29' 30'' N	57°10' 00'' W
		3.	44°27' 30'' N	57°09' 00'' W
		4.	44°27' 30'' N	57°12' 30'' W
		5.	44°29' 30'' N	57°12' 30'' W
18.	30 Coral Closure Area - Closed to fishing activity involving bottom contact gear from January 1, 2008 until December 31, 2012.	1.	42°54' 00'' N	51°00' 00'' W
		2.	42°52' 04'' N	51°31' 44'' W
		3.	43°24' 13'' N	51°58' 12'' W
		4.	43°24' 20'' N	51°58' 18'' W
		5.	43°39' 38'' N	52°13' 10'' W
		6.	43°40' 59'' N	52°27' 52'' W
		7.	43°56' 19'' N	52°39' 48'' W
		8.	44°04' 53'' N	52°58' 12'' W
		9.	44°18' 38'' N	53°06' 00'' W
		10.	44°18' 36'' N	53°24' 07'' W
		11.	44°49' 59'' N	54°30' 00'' W
		12.	44°29' 55'' N	54°30' 00'' W
		13.	43°26' 59'' N	52°55' 59'' W
		14.	42°48' 00'' N	51°41' 06'' W
		15.	42°33' 02'' N	51°00' 00'' W
19.	The waters of Division 4VsW (The Gully Marine Protected Area) enclosed by thrumb lines (similar to straight lines plotted on a nautical chart) joining the following points in the order in which they are listed during January 1 to December 31 each year. NOTE: When the geographic boundary of the Gully Marine Protected Area is expressed in latitude and longtitude, those point references are based on the geodesic system North American Datum 1983 (NAD83).	1.	44°13' N	59°06' W
		2.	43°47' N	58°35' W
		3.	43°35' N	58°35' W
		4.	43°35' N	59°08' W
		5.	43°55' N	59°08' W
		6.	44°06' N	59°20' W
		7.	44°13' N	59°06' W
20.	NAFO Area 2J, "2J No Trawl/Gillnet Zone in a portion of Hawke Channel" (the portion of NAFO Division 2J, bounded by lines connecting the following points);	1.	53°20'N	54°45'W
		2.	53°20'N	53°20'W
		3.	52°30'N	53°20'W
		4.	52°30'N	54°45'W
21.	Orphan Knoll Seamount closure to all fishing activities involving demersal fishing gears, except approved exploratory fishing activities, defined by connecting the following coordinates (in numerical order and back to coordinate 1) from January 1, 2007 until December 31, 2010.	1.	50°00' 30'' N	45°00' 30'' W
		2.	51°00' 30'' N	45°00' 30'' W
		3.	51°00' 30'' N	47°00' 30'' W
		4.	50°00' 30'' N	47°00' 30'' W
22.	Corner Seamounts closure to all fishing activities involving demersal fishing gears, except approved exploratory fishing activities, defined by connecting the following coordinates (in numerical order and back to coordinate 1) from January 1, 2007 until December 31, 2010	1.	35°00' 00'' N	48°00' 00'' W
		2.	36°00' 00'' N	48°00' 00'' W
		3.	36°00' 00'' N	52°00' 00'' W
		4.	35°00' 00'' N	52°00' 00'' W
23.	Newfoundland Seamounts closure to all fishing activities involving demersal fishing gears, except approved exploratory fishing activities, defined by connecting the following coordinates (in numerical order and back to coordinate 1) from January 1, 2007 until December 31, 2010	1.	43°29' 00'' N	43°20' 00'' W
		2.	44°00' 00'' N	43°20' 00'' W
		3.	44°00' 00'' N	46°40' 00'' W
		4.	43°29' 00'' N	46°40' 00'' W
24.	New England Seamounts closure to all fishing activities involving demersal fishing gears, except approved exploratory fishing activities, defined by connecting the following coordinates (in numerical order and back to coordinate 1) from January 1, 2007 until December 31, 2010	1.	35°00' 00'' N	57°00' 00'' W
		2.	39°00' 00'' N	57°00' 00'' W
		3.	36°00' 00'' N	64°00' 00'' W
		4.	35°00' 00'' N	64°00' 00'' W
25.	"Stone Fence"	Closure will be announced by variation order.
26.	Fishing is not permitted in these Fogo Seamount areas and shall be closed to all bottom fishing activities from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2010. The closed areas are defined by connecting the following coordinates.	Fogo Seamounts 1:
		1.	42°31' 33''N	53°23'17"W
		2.	42°31' 33"N	52°33'37"W
		3.	41°55' 48"N	53°23'17"W
		4.	41°55' 48"N	52°33'37"W
		Fogo Seamounts 2:
		1.	41°07' 22"N	52°27'49"W
		2.	41°07' 22 'N	51°38'10"W
		3.	40°31' 37"N	52°27'49"W
		4.	40°31' 37"N	51°38'10"W

NOTE: Coordinates in licence conditions or issued by variation order should be considered the official closed areas and override the above noted.

OTHER MEASURES:

1. Mandatory release of all Atlantic halibut <81 cm.
2. Satellite transponders will be required onboard and operational on all vessels.
3. Divisional license restrictions are required for vessels used under TVRP until an effective alternative is agreed between DFO and GEAC. All TVRP vessels less than 65' must separate all species at sea. All vessels can only fish one stock area, either 4X5Y, 4VW or 5Z on a single trip unless an observer is present.
4. Any vessel that carries dual mesh size (<> 130 mm) in 4VWX+5 will only be permitted to direct for the species that can be fished with the smaller mesh; observers must be carried to direct in a fishery with both small and large mesh gear during the same trip. This also applies in 5Z when carrying both 130 mm square and 155 mm square for yellowtail flounder.
5. Mandatory release of the following species: sturgeon, striped bass, northern and spotted wolfish. These species must be released immediately and where alive in a manner that causes the least harm. Striped wolffish may be returned to the water.
6. Directed fishing for Cod in 4Vn (November-April) may occur from December 1 to March 31, subject to any variation order that may change the open season. For this fishery, 100% of trips will carry an approved at-sea observer. Fishing is not permitted south of the area bounded by 46°15' north latitude nor in waters shallower than 150 meters (75 fathoms). No vessel is permitted to catch more than 20 t of cod in any 5 nautical mile area over any two week period. Vessel will be required to move a minimum of 5 nautical miles once 20 t have been caught in any area and no further fishing can occur in this area until after two weeks. 155 mm diamond mesh may be used as an alternative to 130 mm square mesh in the codend. License holders may utilize vessels <100' and fish in 4T at their option, in which case they will comply with the CHP for MG 65-100' vessels.
7. No directed skate or white hake fishery in 4VWX + 5.

---

CONSERVATION HARVESTING PLAN (CHP)
ATLANTIC-WIDE FOR LICENSE HOLDERS THAT ARE MEMBER COMPANIES OF "GEAC"

2009

This Conservation Harvesting Plan (CHP) applies on an Atlantic-wide basis to all vessels fishing under license conditions issued to GEAC member companies as outlined in Annex I.

A license condition will authorize the license holder to direct only for those groundfish species specified on the license documents. Directed fishing for any other species of groundfish will require a separate harvesting plan and license condition.

FISHING GEAR:

Mobile Gear:

The table below outlines the minimum mesh size for mobile gear and the minimum gape size for longline when fishing for a particular species in the specified area. Gape is measured as the shortest distance from the shank to the tip of the hook.

	Species	Area	Min. Mesh Size (mm)		Min. Gape Size (mm)
1.	Unless otherwise specified below		155 mm diamond or equivalent
2.	Atlantic Halibut	3NOPs			15.4
3.	Atlantic Halibut	4VWX,5Zc			12
4.	Cod	3Ps	155 diamond or 145 square		12mm
5.	Cod	4Vn	155 mm diamond or 130 mm square mesh		12mm for hooks
6.	Flatfish	3Ps, 3LNO	145 mm diamond
7.	Flounder (Yellowtail)	3LNO	145		15.4
8.	Flounder (Witch)	3Ps	145 diamond or 155 square		15.4
9.	Flounder	4VWX,5Y	155 square
10.	Greenland Halibut (Turbot)		145 mm diamond or 155 mm square in the lengthening piece and cod end. In order to minimize meshing, 90 mm or greater may be used in the wings, body & bellies of the trawl.
11.	Cod, Haddock, Pollock	4X, 5	130 mm square		12mm
12.	Pollock	4VW	130 mm square or 155 mm diamond		12mm
13.	Redfish		90 mm in Units I and II, and 110 mm in Unit III;
14.	Redfish	NRA 2+ 1F & 3K	100
15.	Redfish	3M	130
16.	Redfish	30	90mm except 130 bottom trawl in the NRA
17.	Silver Hake	4VWX	55 mm square with 40mm grate.
18.	Skate	3LNOPs	300 mm in codend, &m254 mm in remainder of trawl		15.4
19.	Any stock not listed above	Within 4VWX&5	130mm square		12
20.	Any stock not listed above	Outside 4VWX&5	155 diamond or equivalent		15.4
21.	Use of mesh <130 mm is prohibited in 4X north of 43°30'N latitude in the Bay of Fundy
22.	Use of mesh <130 mm is prohibited in any area where the water is 50 fathoms or less in depth
23.	Use of mesh <130 mm is prohibited in the Brown's Bank spawning area from January 1 through June 30
			Point	North Latitude		West Longitude
24.	Use of mesh <130 mm is prohibited in the area defined by the following coordinates (bowtie):		1.	43°27'		65°12'
			2.	43°05'		65°40'
			3.	42°40'		65°40'
			4.	43°10'		64°28'
			5.	43°27'		65°12'

BY-CATCH PROVISIONS:

For the purposes of this CHP, the following definitions apply:

"Directed fishery" means the harvesting of permitted species, or combination of species, that the license holder is licensed to fish, harvested by the license holder at a time, in an area and by a means authorized in license conditions.

"By-catch" means the incidental or unintentional capture of non-targeted species while fishing for directed species as authorized under the licence. This includes species not regulated.

For the purpose of monitoring by-catch on a per fishing trip basis, a trip is defined as starting from the time when the vessel leaves port and ending when it returns to port to offload its catch.

By-catch is calculated as the weight of a by-catch species divided by the weight of the directed species X 100.

In 4VWX+5, by-catch is calculated as the weight of the by-catch species divided by the total weight of all other groundfish on board.

1.	Unless defined below	5% per trip of any species.
2.	When directing for redfish with mesh less than 145 diamond or 130 mm square	10% per trip combined of cod, haddock and pollock when fishing in 4VWX and a maximum of 5% for any single groundfish species (except white hake in 3NOPs) in all other areas
3.	When directing for redfish with mesh less than 145 mm diamond or 130 mm square	20% per trip of white hake in 3NOPs and subject to the Canadian by-catch quota
4.	When directing for flatfish and/or redfish in 4VW	5% per trip for each of cod and haddock, with a 2% overall cap for each of cod and haddock
5.	When directing for Pollock in 4VW	10% per trip with a 5% overall annual cap for cod and haddock combined
6.	When fishing in 3Ps	20% per trip of Pollock. This level will be monitored and if required, jointly reviewed by DFO and GEAC
7.	When fishing for witch in 3Ps	10% per trip of haddock with a 5% overall annual cap
8.	When fishing for witch in 3Ps	50% per trip of American plaice. This level will be monitored and if required, jointly reviewed by DFO and GEAC
9.	When directing for skate in 3LNOPs	5% per trip with a 2% overall annual cap of each species that is closed
10.	When fishing for yellowtail in 3LNO	5% per trip for each of cod and haddock and 13% monthly of American plaice (reviewed on a weekly basis)
11.	3Ps when directed cod fishery is closed	10% per trip for cod except when directing for Atlantic halibut where a monthly fleet cap of 20 mt of cod will apply.
12.	By-catch levels of species not noted above or any other non-quota species	Should remain at the lesser of previous historic tonnage levels or a maximum of 10% per trip of each species. To avoid redirection of effort towards stocks not previously fished, DFO and GEAC will jointly develop a maximum annual quota cap for each of these species.
13.	When fishing for groundfish in NAFO Divisions 3LN	The total per trip shall not exceed 2500 kg or 10%, whichever is greater.
14.	By-catch of all quota species will be counted against enterprise allocations or competitive quotas.
15.	The offshore mobile gear fleet has traditionally discarded skate by-catches associated with other directed fisheries in 3LNOPs, as permitted by license condition. The fleet will not have restrictions placed on other fisheries as a result of the implementation of a quota management regime for the directed skate fishery, but will continue to record all discards in the logbook.

Note: Designated areas may be closed for specific EA holders or the sector when limits are reached or exceeded. DFO reserves the right to close fisheries if the by-catch limits are exceeded.

SMALL FISH PROTOCOL:

1. Fish are considered undersized if smaller than the following:
   
   

   Cod, haddock and Pollock	43 cm in all areas except 3Ps where 45 cm will apply
   Redfish	22 cm in all areas
   American Plaice, Yellowtail Flounder	30 cm in all areas
   Witch	30 cm in all areas except 4VWX where 33 cm will apply
   (Greenland halibut) Turbot	45 cm in all Canadian regulated areas, except 4RST which is 44cm.
   White hake	45 cm in all areas

   
   
2. Designated areas may be closed when the number of undersized fish reaches or exceeds 15% of the catch of any of the above species. While the 15% small fish limit will not be strictly applied in the turbot fishery, harvests of undersized fish will be closely monitored to determine if additional management measures (i.e. area/seasonal closures) are required".
3. There are 36 areas applicable for by-catch provisions and/or small fish protocol when directing for yellowtail in 3LNO. Each of these areas will be monitored and provisions/protocols applied separately.

CATCH MONITORING, TEST FISHING & INDEXED FISHING/SURVEY ACTIVITIES:

1. A 100% industry funded Dockside Monitoring Program is required.
2. Small fish and by-catch closures will be a minimum duration of 10 days.
3. Test fisheries may be conducted after 10 days with all costs borne by industry.
4. Opening of any test area in 4VW for pollock or redfish will require a test fishery to determine the cod and haddock by-catch level and presence of small fish.
5. Test area 1 in 4VW will require observers at all times when fishing a mesh less than 130 mm and closure duration may exceed 30 days if consecutive tests reveal by-catch or small fish protocol levels are being exceeded.
6. Industry-funded observer coverage at an average of approximately 10% (to be discussed jointly between DFO and GEAC), except for 3LNO yellowtail where observer coverage will be 25% to be reviewed annually, 0B where observer coverage is 100% for MG all year, and 100% when directing for cod in 4Vn (December 1st - March 31st). Additional observer coverage will be required in 5Z.
7. When fishing for cod in 4Vn, no vessel is permitted to catch more than 20t of cod in any 5 nautical mile area over a two week period. Vessels will be required to move a minimum of 5 nautical miles once 20t have been caught in any area and no further fishing can occur in this area for two weeks. License holders may utilize vessels <100' and fish in 4T at their option, in which case they must comply with the CHP for MG 65-100' vessels.

QUOTA PERIODS:

NAFO Stocks and Georges Bank	January 1 - December 31 (subject to identified closure provisions)
Gulf of St. Lawrence Stocks	May 15 - May 14 (subject to identified closure provisions)
4Vn cod	December 1 to March 31 (subject to identified closure provisions)
All other species and areas	April 1 - March 31 (subject to identified closure provisions

NOTE: Opening and closing dates contained in license conditions or variation orders will be considered official.

JUVENILE, SPAWNING, & OTHER FISHING RESTRICTIONS:

Fisheries are subject to closures identified in Regulations or by Variation Orders or Notices. The following are some fisheries closures in effect each year:

1.	Unit II redfish spawning closure	April 1 - June 30
2.	Unit II redfish mixing closure (4Vn,3Pn)	October 1 - June 30
3.	3NO closed to directed fishing for yellowtail  31	June 15 - July
4.	3Ps cod spawning closure	March 1 - June 30
5.	3Ps unit d, e, g mixing closure	November 15- April 15 - as a temporary and voluntary measure to address concerns about potential stock mixing, directed cod fishing in 3Ps units 'd', 'e' and 'g' will be avoided each year from November 15 to April 15, with the objective of capping directed cod catch from this area/period at recent low levels.
6.	3Ps unit d redfish closure	November 15 - March 31 - closed to bottom fishing. Since this measure is intended to reduce the amount of cod by-catch in the redfish fishery, it will be evaluated annually.
7.	3Ps units a, b & c (inshore areas)	Closed to cod fishing.
8.	4Vsb closed to bottom trawling	January 1 - April 30 Otter trawling for pollock may be permitted during this period provided there is 100% observer coverage.
		Point	North Latitude	West Longitude
9.	4Vs coral closure Fishing for groundfish is not permitted in the water of Division 4Vs enclosed by a straight line drawn through the following points in the order in which they are listed, during the period of January 1 to December 31 each year.	1.	44°29' 30''N	57°12' 30'' W
		2.	44°29' 30''N	57°10' 00'' W
		3.	44°27' 30''N	57°09' 00'' W
		4.	44°27' 30''N	57°12' 30'' W
		5.	44°29' 30''N	57°12' 30'' W
10.	Brown's Bank spawning closure	February 1 - June 15
11.	George's Bank closure	March 1 - May 31
12.	Gully Marine Protected Area Fishing for groundfish is not permitted in the water of Division 4VsW enclosed by rhumb lines joining the following points in the order in which they are listed, during the period January 1 to December 31)	1.	44°13' 00''N	59°06' 00''W
		2.	43°47' 00''N	58°35' 00''W
		3.	43°35' 00''N	58°35' 00''W
		4.	43°35' 00''N	59°08' 00''W
		5.	43°55' 00''N	59°08' 00''W
		6.	44°06' 00''N	59°20' 00''W
		7.	44°13' 00''N	59°06' 00''W
13.	4VW juvenile area closure	All year (April 1 - March 31)
14.	4Vn closed to directed flatfish fishing	All year (April 1 - March 31)
15.	4Vn Cod	- Not permitted south of the area bounded by 46 degrees, 15 minutes north latitude. - Not permitted in waters shallower tha 150 meters (75 fathoms) - Not permitted to catch more than 20t in any 5 nautical mile area over any 2 week period. Vessel is required to move a minimum of 5 nautical miles once 20t have been caught in any area and no further fishing can occur in this area until after 2 weeks.
16.	4X+5 Coral closure area is described below by straight lines joining the following points in the order they are listed:	1.	42°04' 00''N	65°44' 00''W
		2.	42°00' 00''N	65°45' 00''W
		3.	41°55' 30''N	65°40' 00''W
		4.	42°00' 00''N	65°40' 00''W
		5.	42°04' 00''N	65°44' 00''W
17.	3O Coral Closure Area - Closed to fishing activity involving bottom contact gear from January 1, 2008 until December 31, 2012.	1.	42°53'00"N	51°00'00"W
		2.	42°52'04"N	51°31'44"W
		3.	43°24'13"N	51°58'12"W
		4.	43°24'20"N	51°58'18"W
		5.	43°39'38"N	52°13'10"W
		6.	43°40'59"N	52°27'52"W
		7.	43°56'19"N	52°39'48"W
		8.	44°04'53"N	52°58'12"W
		9.	44°18'38"N	53°06'00"W
		10.	44°18'36"N	53°24'07"W
		11.	44°49'59"N	54°30'00"W
		12.	44°29'55"N	54°30'00 "W
		13.	43°26'59"N	52°55'59"W
		14.	42°48'00"N	51°41'06"W
		15.	42°33'02"N	51°00'00"W
18.	NAFO Area 2J, "2J No Trawl/Gillnet Zone in a portion of Hawke Channel" (the portion of NAFO Division 2J, bounded by lines connecting the following points);	1.	53°20'N	54°45'W
		2.	53°20'N	53°20'W
		3.	52°30'N	53°20'W
		4.	52°30'N	54°45'W
19.	Resolution Island Closure - 12,580 sq. kilometres.	1.	60°50'N	60°00'W
		2.	60°50'N	63°00'W
		3.	61°30'N	63°30'W
		4.	61°30'N	60°00'W
20.	Orphan Knoll Seamount closure to all fishing activities involving demersal fishing gears, except approved exploratory fishing activities, defined by connecting the following coordinates (in numerical order and back to coordinate 1) from January 1, 2007 until December 31, 2010.	1.	50°00' 30''N	45°00' 30''W
		2.	51°00' 30''N	45°00' 30''W
		3.	51°00' 30''N	47°00' 30''W
		4.	50°00' 30''N	47°00' 30''W
21.	Corner Seamounts closure to all fishing activities involving demersal fishing gears, except approved exploratory fishing activities, defined by connecting the following coordinates (in numerical order and back to coordinate 1) from January 1, 2007 until December 31, 2010.	1.	35°00'00''N	48°00'00''W
		2.	36°00'00''N	48°00'00''W
		3.	36°00'00''N	52°00'00''W
		4.	35°00'00''N	52°00'00''W
22.	Newfoundland Seamounts closure to all fishing activities involving demersal fishing gears, except approved exploratory fishing activities, defined by connecting the following coordinates (in numerical order and back to coordinate 1) from January 1, 2007 until December 31, 2010	1.	43°29'00''N	43°20'00''W
		2.	44°00'00''N	43°20'00''W
		3.	44°00'00''N	46°40'00''W
		4.	43°29'00''N	46°40'00''W
23.	New England Seamounts closure to all fishing activities involving demersal fishing gears, except approved exploratory fishing activities, defined by connecting the following coordinates (in numerical order and back to coordinate 1) from January 1, 2007 until December 31, 2010	1.	35°00'00''N	57°00'00''W
		2.	39°00'00''N	57°00'00''W
		3.	36°00'00''N	64°00'00''W
		4.	35°00'00''N	64°00'00''W
24.	"Stone Fence" closure - 12 sq. kilometres	1.	44°29' 30''N	57°12' 30''W
		2.	44°29' 30''N	57°10' 00''W
		3.	44°27' 30''N	57°09' 00''W
		4.	44°27' 30''N	57°12' 30''W
		Point	North Latitude	West Longitude
25.	Fishing is not permitted in these Fogo Seamount areas and shall be closed to all bottom fishing activities from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2010. The closed areas are defined by connecting the following coordinates.	Fogo Seamounts 1:
		1.	42°31' 33''N	53°23'17"W
		2.	42°31' 33"N	52°33'37"W
		3.	41°55' 48"N	53°23'17"W
		4.	41°55' 48"N	52°33'37"W
		Fogo Seamounts 2:
		1.	41°07' 22"N	52°27'49"W
		2.	41°07' 22"N	51°38'10"W
		3.	40°31' 37"N	52°27'49"W
		4.	40°31' 37"N	51°38'10"W

NOTE: Coordinates in license conditions or issued by variation order should be considered the official closed areas and override the above noted.

OTHER MEASURES:

1. Mandatory release of all Atlantic halibut <81 cm.
2. Satellite transponders are required onboard and operational on all vessels. (removed when requested by DFO)
3. Any vessel that carries dual mesh size (<> 130 mm) in 4VWX+5 will only be permitted to direct for the species that can be fished with the smaller mesh; observers must be carried to fish with both small and large mesh gear during the same trip.
4. Mandatory release of the following species: sturgeon; striped bass; spotted and northern wolfish and Atlantic Halibut <81cm. These species must be released immediately and where alive in a manner that causes the least harm. Striped wolfish, skate, sculpin, lumpfish and dogfish may be returned to the water.
5. DFO will forward, to the Executive Director of GEAC via e-mail or by fax, notification of any variation order affecting >100' license holders. DFO will endeavor to provide this notification in advance of such variation orders.
6. License holders may use longline gear to fish available quotas, subject to DFO approval on a case by case basis. Approval will require a review of change in gear-type to determine if there are: conservation concerns; anticipated negative change in the composition (fish size and bycatch issues) of the catch; and potential gear conflict issues.

---

ANNEX 1

COMPANIES/EA HOLDERS REPRESENTED BY GEAC

ACADIAN FISH PROCESSORS LTD.
CARAMER LTEE
CHARLESVILLE FISHERIES LTD.
CLEARWATER FINE FOODS INC. (CLEARWATER SEAFOODS LTD PARTNERSHIP)
HARBOUR GRACE SHRIMP CO. LTD.
ICEWATER HARVESTING INC. (NLIDC)
INSHORE FISHERIES LTD.
M.V. OSPREY LTD.
LES PECHES HAUTURIERES DE LAMEQUE LTEE
LES PRODUITS BELLE BAIE LTEE
MARRO MANAGEMENT INC.
MERSEY SEAFOODS LTD.
NOVA'S FINEST FISHERIES INC.
OCEAN CHOICE INTERNATIONAL (OCI LP1, OCI LP2, QUOTA HOLDCO NL INC)
PECHERIE CHEVARIE III (ATLANTIC SHRIMP CO. LTD.)
TOFFEE TRAWLING LTD.

Appendix 3

Enforcement Measures for the Duration of Plan

(see Section 9 of Integrated Fisheries Management Plan

Appendix 4

Post Season Review

Appendix 5

Departmental Contacts

Jacqueline Perry
Director, Resource Management
Newfoundland and Labrador Region
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
PO Box 5167
St. John's, NL A1C 5X1
(709) 772-4497

Paul Cahill
Chief, Resource Management
Newfoundland and Labrador Region
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
PO Box 5167
St. John's, NL A1C 5X1
(709) 772-4653

Leon Slaney
Area Chief, Resource Management
Newfoundland and Labrador Region
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
PO Box 580
Grand Bank, NL A0E 1W0
(709) 832-3014

Appendix 6

Safety at Sea

Vessel owners and masters have a duty to ensure the safety of their crew and vessel. Adherence to safety regulations and good practices by owners, masters and crew of fishing vessels will help save lives, protect the vessel from damage and protect the environment. All fishing vessels must be in a seaworthy condition and maintained as required by Transport Canada (TC), and other applicable agencies. Vessels subject to inspection should ensure that the certificate of inspection is valid for the area of intended operation.

In the federal government, responsibility for shipping, navigation, and vessel safety regulations and inspections lies with Transport Canada (TC); emergency response with the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) and DFO has responsibility for management of the fisheries resources. In Newfoundland and Labrador, the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission (WHSCC) has jurisdiction over health and safety issues in the workplace.

Before leaving on a voyage the owner, master or operator must ensure that the fishing vessel is capable of safely making the passage. Critical factors for a safe voyage include the seaworthiness of the vessel, vessel stability, having the required safety equipment in good working order, crew training, and knowledge of current and forecasted weather conditions.

Useful publications include Transport Canada Publication TP 10038 'Small Fishing Vessel Safety Manual' which can be obtained from TC or printed from their website

There are several issues that are important for fishing vessel safety, including three priority areas: vessel stability, emergency drills, and cold water immersion.

Fishing Vessel Stability

Vessel stability is paramount for safety. Care must be given to the stowage and securing of all cargo, skiffs, equipment, fuel containers and supplies, and also to correct ballasting. Fishers must be familiar with their vessel's centre of gravity, the effect of liquid free surfaces on stability, loose water or fish on deck, loading and unloading operations and the vessel's freeboard. Know the limitations of your vessel; if you are unsure contact a reputable naval architect, marine surveyor or the local Transport Canada Marine Safety office.

Fishing vessel owners are required to develop detailed instructions addressing the limits of stability for each of their vessels. The instructions need to be based on a formal assessment of the vessel by a qualified naval architect and include detailed safe operation documentation kept on board the vessel. Examples of detailed documentation include engine room procedures, maintenance schedules to ensure watertight integrity, and instructions for regular practice of emergency drills.

Emergency Drill Requirements

The master must establish procedures and assign responsibilities to each crew member for emergencies such as crew member overboard, fire, flooding, abandoning ship and calling for help.

Since July 30, 2003 all crew with more than 6 months at sea are required to have taken minimum Marine Emergency Duties (MED) training or be registered for such training. MED provides a basic understanding of the hazards associated with the marine environment; the prevention of shipboard incidents (including fires); raising and reacting to alarms; fire and abandonment situations; and the skills necessary for survival and rescue.

Cold Water Immersion

Drowning is the number one cause of death in the fishing industry. Cold water is defined as water below 25 degrees Celsius, but the greatest effects occur below 15 degrees. Newfoundland and Labrador waters are usually below 15 degrees. The effects of cold water on the body occur in four stages: cold shock, swimming failure, hypothermia and post-rescue collapse. Know what to do to prevent you or your crew from falling into the water and what to do if that occurs.

Other Issues

Weather

Vessel owners and masters are reminded of the importance of paying close attention to current weather treads and forecasts during the voyage. Marine weather information and forecasts can be obtained from Environment Canada website.

Emergency Radio Procedures

Vessel owners and masters should ensure that all crew are able to activate the Search and Rescue (SAR) system early rather than later by contacting the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG). It is strongly recommended that all fishers carry a registered 406 MHz Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB). These beacons should be registered with the National Search and Rescue secretariat. When activated, an EPIRB transmits a distress call that is picked up or relayed by satellites and transmitted via land earth stations to the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre (JRCC), which will task and co-ordinate rescue resources.

All crew should know how to make a distress call and should obtain their restricted operator certificate from Industry Canada. However, whenever possible, masters should contact the nearest Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) Marine Communications and Traffic Services (MCTS) station prior to a distress situation developing. Correct radio procedures are important for communications in an emergency. Incorrect or misunderstood communications may hinder a rescue response.

Since August 1, 2003 all commercial vessels greater than 20 metres in length are required to carry a Class D VHF Digital Selective Calling (DSC) radio. A registered DSC VHF radio has the capability to alert other DSC equipped vessels in your immediate area and MCTS that your vessel is in distress. Masters should be aware that they should register their DSC radios with Industry Canada to obtain a Marine Mobile Services Identity (MMSI) number or the automatic distress calling feature of the radio may not work.

A DSC radio that is connected to a GPS unit will also automatically include your vessel's current position in the Distress message. More detailed information on MCTS and DSC can be obtained by contacting a local Coast Guard MCTS centre or from the Coast Guard website.

Collison Regulations

Fishers must be knowledgeable of the Collision Regulations and the responsibilities between vessels where risk of collision exists. Navigation lights must be kept in good working order and must be displayed from sunset to sunrise and during all times of restricted visibility. To help reduce the potential for collision or close quarters situations which may also result in the loss of fishing gear, fishers are encouraged to monitor the appropriate local Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) VHF channel, when travelling or fishing near shipping lanes or other areas frequented by large commercial vessels. Vessels required to participate in VTS include:

1. every ship twenty metres or more in length,
2. every ship engaged in towing or pushing any vessel or object, other than fishing gear,
3. where the combined length of the ship and any vessel or object towed or pushed by the ship is forty five metres or more in length; or
4. where the length of the vessel or object being towed or pushed by the ship is twenty metres or more in length.

Exceptions include:

1. a ship towing or pushing inside a log booming ground,
2. a pleasure yacht less than 30 metres in length, and
3. a fishing vessel that is less than 24 metres in length and not more than 150 tons gross.

Buddy System

Fishers are encouraged to use the buddy system when transiting, and fishing as this allows for the ability to provide mutual aid. An important trip consideration is the use of a sail plan which includes the particulars of the vessel, crew and voyage. The sail plan should be left with a responsible person on shore or filed with the local MCTS. After leaving port the fisher should contact the holder of the sail plan daily or as per another schedule. The sail plan should ensure notification to JRCC when communication is not maintained which might indicate your vessel is in distress. Be sure to cancel the sail plan upon completion of the voyage.

Appendix 7

Map of Fishing Area

(see Section 1 of Integrated Fisheries Management Plan

Appendix 8

3Ps Cod Allocations by Year and Fleet
2005 to 2009

	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009
TAC / TPA	15,000	13,000	13,000	13,000	11,500
FRENCH QUOTA	2,340 (c)	2,028 (c)	2,028 (c)	2,028 (c)	1,794 (c)
SENTINEL FISHERY	200	173	173	173	153
CANADIAN QUOTA/	12,660	10,972	10,799 (d)	10,799 (d)	9553 (d)
ABORIGINAL FISHERY /	30	30	30	30	27
VESSELS UNDER 100'	10,591	9,176	9,179	9,179	8,120
fg/ef < 65'	9,733 (a)	8,434 (a)	8,435 (a)	8,435 (a)	7,461 (a)
mg/em < 65'	609 (b)	526 (b)	528 (b)	528 (b)	467 (b)
fg/ef 65'-100'	249	216	216	216	191
VESSELS OVER 100'/	1,839	1,593	1,592	1,592	1,408
(a) Fixed Gear <65'
Groundfish vessels based in 3Ps /	8,634	7454	7455	7455	6595
Groundfish vessels based in 3Pn overlap /	220	190	190	190	168
Groundfish vessels based in 3L - Area 9 overlap /	295	256	256	256	226
Groundfish vessels based in 3KL overlap /	397	344	344	344	304
Groundfish vessels based in 3KL equivalent /	187	190	190	190	168
(b) Mobile Gear <65'
Groundfish vessels based in 3Ps /	285	246	247	247	218
Groundfish vessels based in 3KL /	249	215	216	216	191
Groundfish vessels based in 3Pn /	75	65	65	65	58
(c) France is allocated 15.6% of the TAC as part of t he 1994 Canada/France Proces-Verbal.

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3Ps Cod TAC, 1997 - 2009

Note: From 1993 to 1996, this fishery was under moratorium. The 1999 TAC includes 6,000t which was added to the TAC, that year only, to accommodate a change in the management cycle from the January - December period to the March - April period. The annual TAC was 30,000t.