Notices to Fish Harvesters

Application and Fishing Area

This Conservation Harvesting Plan (CHP) applies to the Quebec region sealing fleets and covers the grey and harp seals 2024 and 2025 seasons. Subject to any Variation Order and based on valid licences, the commercial fleet is authorized to fish (hunt) in some Gulf of St. Lawrence sealing areas. Personal use fishing (hunting) activities for eligible hunters in the Quebec region are authorized in sealing areas 13 to 20, access to which is determined according to the hunters residential areas.

Fishing Season

Specific hunting periods of each fleet will be confirmed through Notices to fish harvesters or Variation Orders.

Allocation

Grey seal: DFO will monitor the landings, and the fishery (hunting) could be closed with short notice.

Harp seal:

Magdalen Islands: The Magdalen Islands sealing fleet are granted 20% of the allocation available for the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Subject to the submission of a plan to be approved by DFO, a developmental allocation may also be available.

North Shore: The North Shore sealing fleet is granted 8% of the allocation available for the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Gaspé-Lower St. Lawrence: Commercial seal harvest (hunt) licence holders may harvest (hunt) a maximum of six harp seals per fishing (hunting) season.

Licence holders for personal use hunt are authorized to catch a maximum of 6 seals (grey and harp seals combined) per year.

Fishing gear :

The gears authorized are the hakapik, club and firearm. Gear specifications and the three-step killing process are described in the Marine Mammal Regulations as well as in the sealers’ licences.

Other management measures

The management measures for the fishing (hunting) of seals in 2024-2025 will notably include the following:

Mandatory training on the three-step killing process;

Licence classes used to open and close the hunt in the different hunting areas;

Hail-in and hail-out calls or emails;

Mandatory catch declaration in accordance with sealers licences requirements.

For additional information:

Mathieu Pellerin

Resource management

Fishery and Oceans Canada

Québec (Quebec)

Îles de la Madeleine : 418-986-2095

Secteur Côte-Nord: 1-800-463-1729

Secteur Gaspésie - Bas-Saint-Laurent : 1-877-898-5559