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2025 Conservation Harvesting Plan (CHP) 2J3KL Northern Cod Fishery Inshore Mobile-Gear Fleet

This Conservation Harvesting Plan (CHP) outlines the management measures for the 2J3KL Northern cod inshore (< 65’) mobile-gear 2025-2026 fishery.

1. Eligibility

  1. Participation in the 2J3KL Northern cod inshore mobile-gear is restricted to inshore groundfish licence holders with vessels < 27.4 meters (90 feet), with a homeport in NAFO Divisions 2J3KL.

2. Fishing areas

  1. This CHP governs the directed mobile-gear inshore fishery in NAFO Divisions 2J3KL for the 2025-26 season.

3. Fishing restrictions

  1. Fishing is prohibited in the inshore Snow Crab Fishing Areas (CFA), with the exception of CFA 4.

4. Season

  1. The fishery will open on Sunday, September 14, 2025 and close on April 14, 2026.
  2. Directed fishing for Northern cod is prohibited from April 15 – June 30, 2026.
  3. The fishery may close to the inshore mobile-gear fleet prior to the season end date if the fleet allocation is taken.

5. Catch limitations

  1. The 2025-26 Canadian Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for the 2J3KL Northern cod fishery is 38,000 t (round weight) and includes an allocation of 608 t for the inshore mobile-gear fleet.
  2. The mobile-gear allocation will be allocated according to a rotational priority list created from a random draw of eligible harvesters. This list will remain valid for the following seasons.
  3. The first six harvesters will each be offered a permit of 223,000 lbs. (round weight).
    1. Eligible harvesters must declare to the Department when they intend to fish their permit. This declaration will determine the start date and validity of the permit.
    2. Each permit will be valid for one month, beginning on the declared start date.
    3. For each eligible harvester, the initial permit may be extended if fishing activity has commenced within that initial one-month period.
    4. If a harvester has not started to actively fish their permit prior to it expiring, they will not be issued a second permit. Instead, the permit will be offered to the next eligible fisher on the list, and the harvester will be moved to the bottom of the rotational priority list for the next season
    5. Harvesters who accept and use a permit will be moved to the bottom of the rotational priority list for the next season.
  4. If a harvester declines a permit, they will retain their position on the rotational priority list for one year only.
    1. If a harvester declines a permit two years in a row, they will be moved to the bottom of the list for the next season.
  5. A periodic review of the fishery participation and quota utilization will take place throughout the season, in consultation with individual harvesters and the mobile-gear fleet representatives.
  6. Any unused quota will be offered as a second permit to one of the active permit holders for the current season, selected via a random draw.
  7. Harvesters are not permitted to fish in both the fixed-gear and mobile-gear fleets on the same trip.
  8. In the event of a licence transfer to another harvester, the licence’s existing position on the rotational list shall be maintained.
  9. There are no provisions to carry forward unused quota in this fishery.

6. Fishing gear

  1. While directing for Northern cod, the licence holder/operator is permitted to use an otter trawl having the minimum mesh size of 155mm diamond or 145mm square mesh in the cod-end and lengthening piece; 90mm mesh or greater may be used in the wings, body and bellies of the trawl.

7. Licensing policy

  1. Vessel Leasing: vessel transfers or leasing is not permitted in this fishery.
  2. Substitute Operators: Substitute operations are authorized for medical reasons only; and the substitute operator must be in place for a minimum of 30 days.

8. Small fish protocol

  1. The minimum size for cod is 43 cm (18 in). Areas will be closely monitored and will be closed to fishing when the number of cod < 43cm long caught exceeds 15% of the total number of cod caught.

9. Reporting and monitoring

  1. When landing in ports outside the Newfoundland and Labrador Region you must, at least six (6) hours prior to your estimated time of entry into port, submit by email to DFO at robyn.morris@dfo-mpo.gc.ca, an end of trip summary.

10. By-catch restrictions

  1. The by-catch of Redfish may not exceed 1,250 kg or 5%, on a per trip basis whichever is greater.
  2. As per the Groundfish General licence conditions.

11. Closed areas

  1. As per the Groundfish General Licence conditions, refer to Schedule 36 - Closed Areas.
  2. Closed areas for NAFO Divisions 2J3KL:
    1. More information on Marine Refuges can be found here.
    2. More information on Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) can be found here.

12. Species at Risk Act (SARA)

  1. The following species are considered at risk and listed under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) as either Threatened or Endangered:
    • Northern wolffish (Anarchichas denticulatus) – listed as Threatened
    • Spotted wolffish (Anarchichas minor) – listed as Threatened
    • Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) – listed as Endangered
    • White shark (Carcharodon carcharias), Atlantic population – listed as Endangered
  2. Under subsection 83(4) of SARA and the recovery strategies for northern wolffish, spotted wolffish, and leatherback turtle—and having met the conditions of sections 73(2) to (6.1) for white shark—the licence holder or vessel operator may conduct commercial fishing activities authorized under the Fisheries Act that could incidentally affect these species.
  3. Any incidental catch must be returned to its point of capture, and if alive, released in a manner that minimizes harm. All interactions must be recorded in the SARA section of the fishing logbook. Refer to the Groundfish General Licence Conditions for full details.

13. Marine Mammals

  1. As per the Groundfish General Conditions, refer to Schedule 38 - Marine Mammal Interactions and Management Measures.
  2. Marine Mammal Interaction Reporting: All lethal and non-lethal interactions (e.g., bycatch, entanglements) must be reported using the DFO Marine Mammal Interaction Form or via electronic logbooks.
  3. Lost and Retrieved Gear Reporting: Lost gear must be reported within 24 hours of returning to port using the Fishing Gear Reporting System or designated forms. Retrieval of previously reported gear must also be reported within 24 hours.
  4. Gear Marking and Restrictions: Specific color-coded twine or integrated yarns must be used to mark ropes, indicating region, species, and area.
  5. North Atlantic Right Whale (NARW) Protocols: If NARWs are observed, harvesters must remove gear from designated areas as per DFO notices and cease fishing until the notice is lifted.

14. Indigenous participation

  1. Communal licences for commercial access will be issued under the Aboriginal Communal Fishing Licence Regulations and will be eligible to participate in the inshore fixed-gear fishery.

15. Safety at sea

In the federal government, Safety at Sea is a shared responsibility. DFO and Transport Canada (TC) have established a framework for cooperation to address this through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that develops safety goals, allows for the exchange of vessel information, and the promotion of a safety culture among commercial fish harvesters. TC has the responsibility for regulating shipping, navigation, and vessel and marine personnel safety. DFO has responsibility for the management of fisheries resources with the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) responsible for emergency response. In Newfoundland and Labrador, the provincial Workplace Health, Safety, and Compensation Commission (WHSCC) has jurisdiction over health and safety issues in the workplace.

Vessel owners and operators have a duty to ensure the safety of their crew and vessel. Adherence to safety regulations and good practices by owners, operators, 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 and other applicable agencies. Vessels subject to inspection should have a certificate of inspection valid for the area of intended operation.

Registration

All vessels greater than 10hp are required to be registered with TC under the Canada Shipping Act 2001 (CSA, 2001), as TC is responsible for regulations and enforcement related to the safety of all vessels and marine personnel.

All vessels used for commercial fishing are required to be registered with DFO under the Fisheries Act and the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985, as DFO is responsible for the proper management and control of fisheries and the conservation and protection of fish and fish habitat.

Vessel Condition

Vessel safety, and the safety of crew members, falls under the mandate of Transport Canada Safety and Security (TCMSS). The CSA, 2001, associated regulations, policies, and programs outline the requirements and obligations of vessel owners and operators.

Vessel owners have an obligation under the CSA, 2001 to ensure compliance with all applicable requirements. This obligation is extended to vessel operators to ensure the requirements of the Fishing Vessel Safety Regulations or Large Fishing Vessel Inspection Regulations are adhered to.

Before leaving port, vessel owners are required to ensure the vessel is designed, constructed, and equipped to operate safely and be seaworthy in its area of operation. This would include such things as:

Any modifications made to the vessel need to be recorded and done in accordance with appropriate standards and a demonstration of its compliance available if requested. Vessel stability may also need to be verified to include any modifications made to the vessel. See TP 15392E - Guidelines for fishing vessel major modification or a change in activity.

Owners and operators are also required to ensure all required certificates are up to date and valid prior to sailing. These certificates include but are not limited to:

Stability

Stability is important and has been found to be a contributing factor to many incidents in the past. Vessels that have a hull length of more than 9 m, built after July 13th, 2018, are required to have a stability assessment completed and onboard and display a stability notice. Vessels built prior to July 13th, 2018, are required to have adequate stability and owners may need to provide verification of adequate stability if requested.

Vessel crews should ensure weights are kept as low as possible and any water onboard is able to be shed overboard through pumps or freeing ports. Vessels with fluid catches should prevent excessive movement of the catch with subdivisions or totes, etc. Any deck equipment should be stacked and secured, keeping as low a center of gravity as possible in mind. Crew members should ensure that weights are distributed as low as possible and that excess weight on upper decks is minimized to prevent stability issues.

Fishing vessel owners are required to develop detailed instructions addressing the limits of stability for each of their vessels. The instructions must be based on a formal assessment of the vessel by a qualified naval architect and include detailed safe operation documentation. Instructions should be kept on board the vessel at all times.

Fishing vessel owners should also keep on-board detailed documentation on engine room procedures, maintenance schedules to ensure watertight integrity, and instructions for regular practice of emergency drills.

Fish harvesters should know the limitations of their vessels. If unsure, the vessel operator should contact a qualified, naval architect or persons and organizations competent to conduct a stability assessment as defined in the Fishing Vessel Safety Regulations.

Emergency Procedures and Drills

Since 2017, small fishing vessels have been required to have written safety procedures onboard. This includes, for example:

These procedures are specific to the vessel, the operation, and the numbers of crew members onboard. Each vessel is different so as crew members change vessels, the owner and operator are required to ensure the crew is familiar with the vessel’s layout and safety equipment placement and use, so they are aware of their duties in an emergency. Please see: Templates for small fishing vessel procedures.

Drills should be recorded and conducted as often as necessary to ensure crew members are familiar with the vessel’s safety procedures. Every time a new crew member comes onboard, a review of the safety procedures followed by drills should take place. Existing crew members should conduct drills several times a year to remain proficient.

Should a vessel be found to not have appropriate written safety procedures onboard, they will be detained by a Transport Canada representative and prevented from sailing until such time as the procedures are onboard and the crew can demonstrate proficiency. See SSB No.: 14/2024 for more information.

Since July 30, 2003 all crew members with more than six 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:

Safety Equipment

Vessel safety equipment from the Fishing Vessel Safety Regulations is based on hull length and the vessels voyage (longer vessels going further offshore require more safety equipment).

Clarifying “hull length” measurement as per the Fishing Vessel Safety Regulations Part 0.1 Definition - SSB No.: 25/2022 is available if you have more questions regarding how to measure the hull length for your vessel.

TC uses a vessel's hull length which is defined as the longest length from stem to transom, including parts that are permanently fixed to the vessel and extend beyond the stem or transom such as:

DFO uses the vessel length overall which is defined as the maximum horizontal distance measured between perpendiculars erected at the extreme ends of the outside of the main hull of a vessel (includes the vessel‘s bottom, sides and deck). Transom platforms extending beyond the stern of a vessel, and any other extensions on the hull will be considered part of the main hull of a vessel.

Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs)

PDFs (or life jackets) are to be worn when there is a risk of drowning. The Master is to determine when there is a risk of drowning and inform the crew to wear a PFD (or life jacket).

PFDs for fishing vessels must be Transport Canada approved and be:

Owners and operators are to be aware that requirements for the usage and wear of PFDs is regulated by both the Provincial OHS and federally by Transport Canada Marine Safety and Security. Please check your provincial requirements to ensure all applicable requirements are followed.

Cold Water Immersion

Vessel operators should know what to do to prevent themselves or their crew from falling into the water and what to do if that occurs. 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 Celsius. Newfoundland and Labrador waters are usually below 15 degrees.

The effects of cold water on the body occur in four stages:

Weather

Vessel owners and operators are reminded of the importance of paying close attention to current weather trends and forecasts during the voyage. Marine weather information and forecasts can be obtained from Environment Canada’s website, Marine Forecasts and Warnings for Canada - Environment Canada.

Emergency Radio Procedures

Vessel owners and operators should ensure that all crew are able to activate the Search and Rescue (SAR) system by contacting the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG). It is strongly recommended that all fish harvesters carry a registered 406 MHz Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), registered with Coast Guard’s National Search and Rescue Secretariat.

All crew members should know how to make a distress call and should obtain their restricted radio operator certificate from Innovation Science and Economic Development (ISED) Canada (formerly Industry Canada).

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, register their DSC radios with ISED Canada with a Marine Mobile Services Identity (MMSI) number. A registered DSC VHF radio has the capability to alert other DSC equipped vessels in the immediate area and advise Coast Guard MCTS that the vessel is in distress.

Collision Regulations

Fish harvesters should have a thorough knowledge of the Collision Regulations and the responsibilities between vessels where the 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 that may also result in the loss of fishing gear, fish harvesters are encouraged to monitor the appropriate local Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) VHF channel when traveling or fishing near shipping lanes or other areas frequented by large commercial vessels.

Sail Plan

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 centre. After leaving port, the fish harvester 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.

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