FISHERIES AND OCEANS CANADA

NOTICE TO FISH HARVESTERS

nf.19.159

June 12, 2019

MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR SOME GROUNDFISH SPECIES IN THE GULF OF ST. LAWRENCE

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) today announces the management plan for some Groundfish species in the Gulf of St. Lawrence Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) divisions 3Pn4RST and provides a reminder of previous TAC decisions for other Groundfish species. 

For 3Pn4RS Cod, a TAC of 1,000 t is established for a two year period (May 15, 2019 to May 14, 2021). During this time, the Department will engage stakeholders to review and update the Rebuilding Plan for this stock based on the recent science evaluation.

For the 4RST Greenland Halibut, a TAC 3,375 t is maintained for the one season only (from May 15, 2019 to May 14, 2020) with a re-assessment of the situation at the end of the 2019-20 fishing season to inform a TAC recommendation for the 2020-21 season.  Science will update key stock indicators prior to the next fishing season.

TAC levels for other Groundfish stocks listed below will be maintained for the time period indicated below. 

 

Species                                Annual TAC                       Time period

 

American Plaice (4T)               250 t                               Closed

 

Cod (4TVn)                            300 t                               Closed

 

White Hake (4T)                       30 t                               Closed

 

Winter Flounder (4T)               300 t                               Until May 14, 2022

 

Witch Flounder (4RST)            500 t                               Until May 14, 2022

 

Yellowtail Flounder (4T)           225 t                               Until May 14, 2021

 

4TVn Cod, 4T American Plaice and 4T White Hake:

The 4TVn Cod, the 4T American plaice and the 4T White Hake directed fisheries remain closed until further notice.  The maximum allowable by-catch for these species in other directed groundfish fisheries will now be limited as per Conservation Harvesting Plans.  The existing TAC will be allocated as by-catch only.

 

Contact:

Shelley Dwyer

Regional FAM Officer

Tel: (709)772-2080

Email: shelley.dwyer@dfo-mpo.gc.ca