10/09/2018
Today, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans announced the decision to close the northern cod stewardship fishery on Thursday, October 11 at 6pm for all fish harvesters except those who selected the fall fishery option.
“Landings are coming in at a much higher rate than anticipated. This is a good indicator of the health of the stock, and science has shown that our extremely low removals are not impacting growth of the stock,” said FFAW-Unifor President Keith Sullivan.
The 2018 northern cod fishery has been successful for inshore harvesters in our province. All bait fisheries this year including squid and capelin were immensely successful this season and are a positive sign for the health of the northern cod stock.
The most recent stock assessment showed that the modest stewardship fishery had no impact on the trajectory of the stock, the federal government has set the quota at 9,500 tons, a dramatic reduction of 25% from last year’s fishery. The 2018 stock assessment indicated that fishing mortality rates in the most recent years are among the lowest levels observed in the 35-year time series for this resource and would not impede stock rebuilding.
“As northern cod rebuilds, very modest increases in the stewardship fishery can simultaneously build capacity on land without having any significant impact on the trajectory of the stock. As it stands, this management plan is leaving the inshore harvesters and coastal communities shut out of the fishery of the future,” concluded Sullivan.
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From DFO:
FISHERIES AND OCEANS CANADA
NOTICE TO FISH HARVESTERS
nf.18.350B, 2018-384
Oct. 9, 2018
2J3KL Stewardship Fishery – Closure Notice (Except Fall Fishers)
DFO advises harvesters that the 2J3KL Stewardship Fishery will close as of Thursday, October 11th, 2018 at 1800hrs (6 pm) to the following vessel classes
A295
A292
A283
The Department prioritizes safety at sea and if a harvester is unable to retrieve their gear by the close time due to safety, they are advised to contact their local C&P detachment.
The fishery will remain open to:
A296 (Fish Harvesters that selected the fall fishing option).
The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2018-376 has been revoked and Variation Order 2018-384 comes into effect on October 10, 2018.
“Notices to Fish Harvesters” for all commercial fisheries are now available online under the Fishery Notices link on the DFO NL Region webpage at http://www.nfl.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/e0004341
If you would like to have all “Notices to Fish Harvesters” for commercial fisheries sent directly to you by email please contact: paul.shea@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
The Department will continue to monitor this fishery closely to ensure that the total harvest remains within the maximum authorized harvest of 9,500t.