Notice to Fish Harvesters - 2J3KL Northern Cod Stewardship Fishery - 2023 Season Dates and Catch Limits - nf.23.189
July 12, 2023
FISHERIES AND OCEANS CANADA
NOTICE TO FISH HARVESTERS
nf.23.189B
Jul. 10, 2023
2J3KL Northern Cod Stewardship Fishery – 2023 Season Dates and Catch Limits
DFO advises of the season dates and catch limits for the 2023 2J3KL Northern cod Stewardship fishery as indicated below.
Season Dates
In NAFO division 2J, the fishery is scheduled to open on Sunday, July 23 and is scheduled to close on Saturday October 14, 2023.
In NAFO divisions 3KL, the fishery is scheduled to open on Sunday, July 23 and is scheduled to close on Saturday November 4, 2023.
Catch Limits (all weights are round weight)
In NAFO division 2J, the following 2023 base bi-weekly authorized catch limits for cod apply:
July 23 – September 2: 30,000 lbs base bi-weekly
September 3 – October 14: 40,000 lbs base bi-weekly
In NAFO divisions 3KL, the following 2023 base weekly authorized catch limits for cod apply:
July 23 – September 9: 3,850 lbs base/week
September 10 – November 4: 8,500 lbs base bi-weekly
For fish harvesters that have acquired additional cod shares through enterprise combining adjusted catch limits will be identified in their licence conditions.
To promote the distribution of catch throughout the season in 2023, harvesters will have the option of fishing the regular season at the weekly base catch limits identified above, or they may opt to fish only during the fall from September 10 to November 4, 2023 in 3KL.
Fall only Fishery Option (applicable to NAFO Divisions 3KL only):
Fish harvesters that choose the 3KL fall only fishery option will not be able to fish prior to September 10 and may only fish from September 10 – November 4, 2023 with a limit of 17,000 lbs base bi-weekly (round weight).
Fish harvesters that want to avail of the 3KL fall only fishery option MUST indicate their intention via e-mail to Robyn.Lee@dfo-mpo.gc.ca by Monday, July 17, 2023.
Harvesters must provide their FULL NAME, FIN, HOMEPORT in their email.
Any harvester who does not select the fall only fishery option by the deadline will receive conditions authorizing them to fish in the same NAFO area as their homeport. A 2J based licence holder will receive conditions for July 23 – October 14 and a 3KL based licence holder will receive conditions for the regular season (July 23 – November 4) at the catch limits identified above.
Should in-season adjustments to catch limits or seasons be required, industry will be consulted and updates will be communicated to harvesters via a Notice to Fishers.
The Conservation and Harvesting Plan (CHP) will be available online soon at: https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fisheries-peches/decisions/fm-2023-gp/index-atl-eng.html .
Additional changes to note for 2023:
New for 2023: Prior to submitting your 2023 groundfish logbook you must make and maintain a copy of each fishing trip, which must be available for inspection upon request of a Fishery Officer.
As in previous years, fish harvesters will have the option to change their fishing area outside of their homeport (i.e. 2J to 3KL, or 3KL to 2J).
New for 2023: A harvester wishing to change their fishing area must indicate their intention via e-mail to Robyn.Lee@dfo-mpo.gc.ca no later than July 21, 2023.
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For information, contact:
Robyn Morris
Senior Resource Manager
Tel: (709) 690-5021
Email: robyn.morris@dfo-mpo.gc.ca