Management Plan for Atlantic Halibut in the Gulf of St. Lawrence
June 12, 2019
06/12/2019
FISHERIES AND OCEANS CANADA
NOTICE TO FISH HARVESTERS
nf.19.160B
Jun. 12, 2019
MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR ATLANTIC HALIBUT IN THE GULF OF ST. LAWRENCE
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) today announces the management plan for Atlantic halibut in the Gulf of St. Lawrence Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) divisions 4RST.
A Total Allowable Catch (TAC) of 1,492 t for Atlantic halibut 4RST is established for a one year period from May 15, 2019 until May 14, 2020. A quota of 60 t has been identified under section 10 of the Fisheries Act to pay the costs associated with an annual scientific longline survey and tagging program. This allocation will be taken off the top of the 2019-20 TAC.
The remaining quota (1,432 t) is distributed based on the sharing formula announced in 2016 following the review of the inshore fixed gear fleet shares. The inshore fixed-gear fleet sector will receive a transfer of 92.5 % (355 t) of the mobile gear fleets’ allocation, which is distributed equally between the eight inshore fixed-gear fleets involved in the directed Atlantic halibut fishery.
As a result, the 2019-2020 initial allocations per fleet (calculated before quota reconciliation or carry-forward of previously uncaught quota where applicable) are as follows:
Fleets / Allocations (t)
Eastern New Brunswick – 96.08t
Gulf Nova Scotia – 64.54t
Gulf Prince Edward Island – 59.04t
Western Newfoundland – 364.23t
Quebec North Shore – 126.73t
Gaspésie – 484.02t
Magdalen Islands – 98.78t
Scotia Fundy – 60.74t
Mobile Gear ˂ 19.81 m – 12.58t
Fixed Gear 19.81 m – 30.48 m – 49.10t
Mobile Gear 19.81 m – 30.48 m – 3.68t
Vessels ˃ 30.48 m – 12.58t
Scientific survey – 60t
Total – 1,492t