Avis aux pêcheurs
Conservation Harvesting Plan 2020-2021 (2020-28-13)
ATLANTIC HALIBUT – NAFO 4RST DIVISIONS
FIXED GEAR FLEET OF THE UPPER AND MIDDLE NORTH SHORE
SEASON 2020–2021
Approved July 22, 2020
Amended August 13, 2020
Amended April 28, 2021
1 Application
This Conservation-based Harvesting Plan (CHP) applies to the groundfish licence holders of the Upper and Middle North Shore fixed gear fleet of less than 19.81 m fishing Atlantic halibut in NAFO divisions 4RST during the period from May 15, 2020, to May 14, 2021.
Please note that:
·this CHP is subject to change following Departmental decisions
·directed fishing for any other groundfish species requires a separate harvesting plan;
·when fishing is conducted in NAFO divisions other than those provided in the present CHP, the CHP of that Division applies;
·the round weight is the weight before any treatment.
2 Fishing areas
Based on valid Conditions of Licence and subject to a Variation Order, the authorized fishing areas are as follows:
·4R
·4S
·4T1
·4T2 ab
·4T3 ab Except for part of the Miscou bank
·4T4
·4T6
·4T9 ab
he fishing areas coordinates are listed in the Conditions of licence and are also indicated on the fishing areas maps, which are available at the following address:
https://inter-l01-uat.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/infoceans/sites/infoceans/files/PoissonFond_en.pdf
3 Permanent closure of fishing areas
3.1 Protection of fish during spawn and cod concentrations
The protection of fish during the spawning period and in areas where there are concentrations of juveniles is a priority that the Department and the industry consider very important for cod stock recovery in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The following conservation measures apply:
·Closure of all groundfish fisheries from April 1 to June 23 in part of NAFO Division 4R off shore from St. George’s Bay and Port-au-Port Bay, which is a recognized spawning area;
·Permanent closure of the groundfish fishery in part of Subdivision 4T3 (Miscou Bank), recognized as a cod concentration area. However, a portion of Miscou Bank is open to fixed gear fishing for Atlantic halibut from June 24 to December 31. For more details, please contact your local area office.
3.2 Coral and sponge conservation areas in the estuary and gulf of St. Lawrence
On December 15, 2017, Fisheries and Oceans Canada created eleven coral and sponge conservation areas in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence in order to protect areas with high concentrations of sponges and sea pens.
All fishing activities that use bottom-contact gear or gear designed to come into contact with the sea bed, including but not limited to bottom trawls, dredges, gillnets, bottom longlines, bottom seines and traps, are forbidden in the conservation areas.
For more information and maps of the eleven coral and sponge conservation areas, please visit the dedicated DFO website:
http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/oceans/ceccsr-cerceef/egsl-eng.html
3.3 Banc-des-Américains Marine Protected Area
On March 6, 2019, Fisheries and Oceans Canada created, jointly with the Quebec government, the Banc-des-Américains Marine Protected Area (MPA) in order to the ensure the conservation and protection of this marine ecosystem.
Provisions of the Banc-des-Américains Marine Protected Area Regulations apply to licence holders. In order to comply with them, please refer to the clauses that apply to your fishing activities:
https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2019-50/page-1.html
3.4 Temporary closure for Atlantic halibut directed fishery
Licence holders are advised of the continued temporary closure of part of the 4T division, considering the excessive bycatch of cod previously observed. This area will remain closed until further notice, and is bounded by straight lines delineated by the following points:
1. 49°02’00" N 64°10’00" W
2. 48°31’00" N 62°37’00" W
3. 48°23’00" N 63°08’00" W
4. 48°46’00" N 64°10’00" W
5. 49°02’00" N 64°10’00" W
4 Fishing seasons
The fishing seasons established in this section represent the maximum duration of fishing periods,subject among other things to Variation orders and specific closure periods. Thus, closing dates may be advanced according to factors such as the reach of quotas or when risks of exceeding them are high. The specific periods will be confirmed through Notices to Fish Harvesters or Variation Orders.
Fish harvesters’ associations agreed to divide the fishing effort in two periods: a “summer fishery” reserved for fish harvesters residing from Sheldrake to Natashquan and a “spring fishery” reserved for fish harvesters residing from Tadoussac to Sept-Îles.
Summer fishery: First fishing period:
·Fishing is authorized from August 1, 2020, at 03:00 a.m. (EDT) to August 7, 2020 at 03:00 p.m. (EDT);
·Depending on the landings registered during the fishing period, there may be a second fishing period.
Second fishing period:
·Fishing is authorized from August 18, 2020, at 03:00 a.m. (EDT) to August 21, 2020 at 03:00 p.m. (EDT);
·Following discussions with industry representatives and considering the residual allocation available, a random draw has been performed to select six licence holders among the participants in the first fishing period who respected their Individual Maximum Catch Limit (IMCL). These licence holders are authorized to participate in the second fishing period;
·A new IMCL is established for the second fishing period.
Spring fishery: Fishing period
·Fishing is authorized from May 1, 2021, at 05:00 a.m. (EDT) to May 14, 2021 at 05:00 p.m. (EDT);
·Each participant must comply with an individual maximum catch limit (IMCL).
·The fishing period established above represents the maximum duration of fishing and may be reduced based on specific circumstances and fisheries management considerations, including the reaching of the quota or a high probability of exceeding it.
The industry and the Department may jointly approve a management approach aimed at adapting fishing effort with a residual quota following the fishing period indicated above.
Also, it should be reminded that during the period where fishing is authorized, it is the responsibility of the captain to acquaint himself with the marine safety notices published among others by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Transport Canada, as well as with the standards and best practices in marine safety, and to take all measures necessary to insure a safe fishery.
5 Quotas
The allocation of Atlantic halibut from divisions 4RST granted to the North Shore fixed gear fleet comes in part from the basic quota granted to the Gulf fleets of less than 19.81 m with fixed gear and in part from the allocation transferred temporarily from the mobile gear fleet to the fixed gear fleet, under the established sharing formulas.
On April 15, 2016, under the coordination of the Ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation du Québec (MAPAQ), representatives of fixed gear groundfish licence holders associations have come to a sharing agreement for the global Atlantic halibut quota granted to Québec’s three geographic fleets. This agreement was recognized by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada. It confirms an adjustment to the shares of Quebec’s geographic fleets on the basis of the global quota of 502.18 t granted to these three geographic fleets and their relative shares from the 2015-2016 Quebec allocation.
The first 502.18 t are distributed as follows:
- Québec North Shore = 92.54 t (18.4277%);
- Gaspésie = 336.16 t (66.9401%);
- Magdalen Islands = 73.48 t (14.6322%).
Any additional allocation granted to Quebec fleets with fixed gear will be shared according to the same percentages.
For the 2020-2021 season, the total quota allocated to the three Quebec geographic fleets corresponds to 709.528 t. The sharing of this quota then corresponds to:
- North Shore = 92.54 t + (207.348 t x 18.4277% = 38.209 t) = 130.749 t;
- Gaspésie = 336.16 t + (207.348 t x 66.9401% = 138.799 t) = 474.959 t;
- Magdalen Islands = 73.48 t + (207.348 t x 14.6322% = 30.340 t) = 103.820 t.
In accordance with the permanent quota sharing agreement of the North Shore fixed gear fleet, the 2020-2021 initial allocation of the North Shore (130.749 t) is attributed at 54% to the Upper and Middle North Shore (UMNS) fleet, and at 46% to the Lower North Shore (LNS) fleet.
The allocation granted to the UMNS fleet is of 70.605 t.
In 2020-2021, the allocation of the UMNS fleet is divided into two equal shares for a second consecutive year, as part of a project to develop an individual transferable quota regime. Thus,
·50% of the allocation (35,303 t) is attributed to the portion of the fleet based from Sheldrake to Natashquan;
·the other 50% of the allocation (35,303 t) is reserved for the portion of the fleet based from Tadoussac to Sept Îles.
Carry-over of last year's remaining Atlantic halibut quotas is allowed in 2020 2021, up to a maximum of 15% of the basic quotas.
5.1 Portion of the fleet based from Sheldrake to Natashquan
For the portion of the fleet based from Sheldrake to Natashquan, a residual amount of 1.774 t is carried over to the 2020-2021 fishing season. The 2020-2021 Atlantic halibut allocation granted to this portion of the fleet, including this carry-over, therefore totals 37.077 t. Within this quota, 1.077 t are set aside to cover bycatches in fisheres directed at other groundfish species and 36.000 t are allocated to the directed fishery.
5.2 Portion of the fleet based from Sheldrake to Natashquan
For the portion of the fleet based from Tadoussac to Sept-Îles, a residual amount of 4.505 t is carried over to the 2020-2021 fishing season. The 2020-2021 Atlantic halibut allocation granted to this portion of the fleet, including this carry-over, therefore totals 39.808 t. The amount set aside to cover bycatches taken in fisheries directed at other groundfish species will be determined at a later date.
6 Management regime
Competitive management regime with individual maximum catch limits (IMCL). It is not possible to trade, cumulate, transfer or carry-over this IMCL.
The IMCLs will be established upon the available allocations and the number of eligible fish harvesters who will have expressed an interest in participating in the fishery and will be stipulated in the Conditions of licence.
Fish harvesters who participated in the fishery and exceeded their IMCL during the 2019‑2020 season will have their IMCL reconciled on an individual basis for the current opening period.
For the fishery under a competitive regime with IMCL, it is the licence holder’s responsibility to respect the established limit.
Should a second opening period be required, only licence holders who participated in the first opening period and respected their IMCL will be eligible to participate.
The Upper and Middle North Shore allocation remains under a competitive regime for the 2020-2021 management year, although other management regimes may be considered in the coming years. Should an individual transferable quota (ITQ) management regime be implemented, landings recorded during the 2020-2021 fishing season will not be considered for the purposes of calculating and establishing ITQs.
7 Fishing gear
Summer fishery: Longline with a maximum of 500 hooks that must have an opening equal to or greater than 15.4 mm.
Spring fishery: Authorized number of hooks will be determined at a later time.
In order to limit the risks posed by the latent fishing effort under a competitive fishery regime associated with groundfish licences that have not been active for many years, the number of hooks authorized for the Atlantic halibut fishery is limited for groundfish licences of the Upper and Middle North Shore for which no landings under an Atlantic halibut directed fishery have been recorded in the past 10 years. Holders of such licences will be authorized a maximum number of gear equal to 15% of the number of gear listed in this section of the CHP.
Fishing gear must be removed from the water before returning to the wharf.
It is prohibited to have more fishing gear on board than the maximum permitted for the fishery.
8 Management measures to minimize the risks of interactions with the North Atlantic Right Whale
Since 2017, Fisheries and Oceans Canada has put in place additional management measures to protect the endangered North Atlantic Right Whale from entanglement in fishing gear and ship strikes. These measures take into account the best available scientific data and can be adapted if necessary to take into account future developments regarding interactions prevention.
The following requirements have been implemented in order to reduce the risk of entanglement of North Atlantic Right Whales:
8.1 Amount of rope floating on the surface of the water
Since 2018, the following requirements are in place to minimize the length of rope floating on the surface of the water and reduce the risk of North Atlantic Right Whales entanglements:
·A maximum of 6.4 meters (3.5 fathoms) of rope shall be used when attaching a secondary buoy to a primary buoy.
·At all time, no rope attaching a longline to a primary buoy shall remain floating on the surface of the water after the fishing gear has been set.
Note: A primary buoy is defined as a buoy or other floating device attached to a fishing gear. A secondary buoy is defined as a buoy or other floating device attached to a primary buoy.
8.2 Gear marking
As of 2020, licence holders using fixed gear must mark the rope used to attach a fishing gear to a primary buoy with colours specific to the region, targeted species and fishing area in which they are authorized to fish. This requirement is intended to facilitate the identification of the area where an entanglement has occurred. In the case of the groundfish fisheries using longlines for Quebec fleets, the following colours are required:
green and pink.
The gear marking requirement consisting of interlacing different coloured twine sections within existing rope must be implemented as follows:
a) The first colour to identify specific Region – to be interlaced on the same segment of rope as the second colour.
b) The second colour to identify target Species – to be interlaced on the same segment of rope as the first colour.
The above coloured twine markings must be permanently interlaced within the rope. Each coloured twine must be interlaced in the rope on a minimum length of 15 cm. The use of paint or tape is not an admissible alternative to twine.
The minimum requirements regarding the number and position of colour markings are detailed in the Conditions of licence.
For more information:
All the information on gear marking measures has been published in the January 31th, 2020 Notice to Fish Harvesters, available at the following link:
8.3 Additional identification of buoys
In addition to the current regulatory requirement to mark buoys with the vessel registration number (VRN), licence holders are required to add a sequential number on each primary buoy in order to be able to individually identify each fishing gear. This additional requirement will help identify and retrieve lost gear and could also help identify the sector where a whale may have become entangled.
The sequential number shall be solid block Arabic numerals:
·Without ornamentation;
·Written in a smaller or bigger font size than the VRN so as to be capable of differentiating the number from the VRN; and
·In a colour that contrasts with the buoy’s colour.
8.4 Requirement to report lost and retrieved gear
Licence holders must report lost gear to Fisheries and Oceans Canada. This management measure will allow the amount of gear lost annually to be quantified and help identify the need to increase efforts to retrieve gear that has been lost, which would reduce the risk of whale entanglements.
Licence holders must report any lost fishing gear or the retrieval of any of their own previously reported lost gear to Fisheries and Oceans Canada by completing and submitting the Lost Fishing Gear form or the Retrieval of Previously Reported Fishing Gear form, available online at http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fisheries-peches/commercial-commerciale/reporting-declaration-eng.html. Retrieval of a fishing gear can only occur under a valid fishing licence and only in relation to the fishing gear authorized by the fishing licence.
The appropriate form must be completed and submitted within 24 hours of discovering that gear has been lost or within 24 hours of retrieving gear previously reported as lost. For fishing trips of less than five days in length, the appropriate form must be completed and submitted within 24 hours of arriving at port.
8.5 What to do if you observe a North Atlantic right whale
First of all, it is important to maintain a minimum distance of 100 meters from the animal and 200 meters if the whale is accompanied by a calve. Details regarding sightings of live and free-swimming right whales may be provided to DFO at: XMARWhalesightings@dfo-mpo.gc.ca or by phone at 1-844-800-8568. If you observe this species, please send us your contact information and information about the sighting (date, time, geographical position, number of individuals, etc.). If possible, you can also send us photos or videos.
If you see a right whale entangled in fishing gear, you should not under any circumstances attempt to release it on your own. The behaviour of an entangled individual is unpredictable and dangerous. You should contact "Marine Mammal Emergencies" at 1‑877‑722‑5346 as soon as possible to share information that will help to organize an appropriate response by experts (time and position of the entangled animal, behavior of the individual, details on the weather and the state of the sea, etc.).
9 Marine mammal interaction reporting
In order to comply with the implementation of the US Marine Mammals Protection Act (MMPA) regulations, licence holders must provide information regarding all interactions with a marine mammal that occur during fishing expeditions including: bycatch, collisions and all sightings of entangled marine mammals. To do this, the Marine Mammal Interaction Form must be completed and submitted by email to DFO.NAT.InteractionsMM-InteractionsMM.NAT.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca within 48 hours after the end of a fishing trip.
A copy of the form is attached to the Conditions of licence and can also be downloaded and submitted online at the following address: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/species-especes/mammals-mammiferes/report-rapport/page01-eng.html.
The information provided on this form will be used by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) to estimate levels of accidental mortality and injury to marine mammals. This information will allow DFO to better assess the types of threats that may affect Canada's marine mammals and to develop mitigation strategies.
In addition, if you observe a dead or distressed animal, please contact Marine Mammal Emergencies as soon as possible at 1-877-722-5346. If possible, do not hesitate to take photos or videos that will allow DFO to assess the situation and identify the species.
10 Hail prior to departure
Hail out is mandatory for all participants.
Licence holders must call the DFO hail out system at 1-800-561-2467 or 1-902-464-8103 (satellite) by 19 h the day before each fishing expedition.
11 At-sea observers
Industry-funded at-sea observers program applies to a minimum coverage of 10% of fishing expeditions.
Licence holders must have come to an agreement regarding at-sea observers coverage with a company designated by DFO-Quebec Region prior to the start of a fishing expedition.
12 Dockside monitoring
The industry-funded Dockside Monitoring Program (DMP) is mandatory for 100% of landings.
Before the beginning of a fishing expedition, licence holders must have come to an agreement with a dockside monitoring company legally designated by DFO, a list of which is available at the following address:
https://inter-l01-uat.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/infoceans/en/monitoring-programs#quai
Landings must be done at a designated port which appears on the list published on DFO’s website at the following address:
https://inter-l01-uat.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/infoceans/en/designated-dockside-monitoring-ports
Further information on designated ports is also available at the following address:
http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/sch-ppb/maps-cartes-eng.html
13 Catch and effort data declaration
13.1 Combined form / Logbook
Licence holders must acquire their booklet of Combined form from a prequalified supplier identified by DFO, a list of which is available at the following address:
http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fisheries-peches/sdc-cps/nir-nei/log-suppliers-eng.html
The Logbook section must be duly completed before arrival at port on each fishing day.
13.2 Electronic logbook
At the time of publication of this CHP, no electronic logbook application is available for the Atlantic halibut fishery. Therefore, licence holders are required to obtain their Combined Forms booklet as specified in section 13.1 (Combined form / Logbook).
14 Incidental catches
Bycatch is defined as the round weight (entire fish) of a bycatch species divided by the round weight (entire fish) of the directed species, in this case, Atlantic halibut.
While directing for 4RST Atlantic halibut, the authorized percentages of groundfish bycatch are:
Ø Cod: The greater of 30% or 45 kg per fishing trip.
Ø Greenland halibut: 3% per fishing trip.
Ø White hake: 5% per fishing trip.
Ø Shark: The lesser of 10% or 500 kg per fishing trip. The
licence holder must hold the Conditions of licence authorizing shark bycatch.
Ø Other groundfish species: 10% per fishing trip.
If bycatch limits per fishing trip are exceeded, the fishery may be closed and legal proceedings may be initiated.
15 Small fish protocol
The minimum size of fish under the small fish protocol is:
Ø Cod 43 cm
Ø American plaice 30 cm
Ø Witch flounder 30 cm
Ø White hake 45 cm
Ø Winter flounder 25 cm
Ø Yellowtail flounder 25 cm
Ø Atlantic halibut 85 cm
Ø Greenland halibut 44 cm
Ø Redfish 22 cm
All specimens of Atlantic halibut less than 85 cm must be returned to the water immediately and, if the fish is still alive, handled in a manner that causes it the least harm.
Areas may be closed to fishing for the fleet or parts of the fleet when the number of undersized fish reaches 15% of the catch of any of the above-mentioned species.
16 Simultaneous fisherires
It is not authorized to fish any other species simultaneously while directing fishing activities on Atlantic halibut.
17 Catch monitoring and test fishery
Small fish and bycatch closures due to high catch levels are for a minimum duration of 10 days. The cost of conducting all test fisheries is borne by the industry. If a fishery is closed, it will remain closed until DFO determines that it can be effectively monitored and controlled. If any particular fishery is closed twice during the same year because of high levels of bycatch or small fish, it may remain closed for the remainder of the year.
18 Boat
Except under exceptional circumstances, vessel lease outside of the North Shore and use of a vessel over 15.20 m are not authorized.
19 Conversion rate
In the Atlantic halibut fishery, a conversion rate of 1.14 is used to convert the weight of eviscerated catches to round fish weight.
20 Quota reconciliation
Under quota reconciliation, any quota overrun in a given year within a competitive fishing regime is accounted for on the fleet or group’s quota of the following year. For example, quota overruns incurred at the end of a management year will be deducted, on a one-to-one basis, from the fleet or group's quota the following year.
Under this CHP, quota reconciliation is applied on an individual basis. As such, any overrun of the IMCL by a licence holder at the end of a management year will be deducted, on a one-to-one basis, from his IMCL or, if applicable, from his individual transferable quota for the following year(s).
21 Groundfish discards monitoring
The Department monitors the level of dumping and discarding of groundfish at sea. If a fleet sector or an individual is suspected of dumping and discarding groundfish at sea, the industry-funded at-sea observer coverage may be increased, in addition to other regulatory options, including fisheries closures and legal proceedings.
22 Other management measures
Except under exceptional circumstances, fish harvester replacement is not authorized.
23 Species at Risk Act
Pursuant to the Species at Risk Act, no person shall kill, harm, harass, capture, take, possess, collect, buy, sell or trade an individual or any part or derivate of a wildlife species designated as extirpated, endangered or threatened.
At the time this Conservation Harvesting Plan is promulgated, the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence species susceptible to being captured are the following: the Spotted Wolffish, the Northern Wolffish, the Leatherback Turtle, the Striped Bass (St. Lawrence River population) and exceptionally the White Shark (Atlantic population). New species could be added during the course of the year.
All incidental captures of species at risk must be immediately returned to the water where they were captured and, if the animal is still alive, in the manner that causes it the least harm. All incidental captures of species at risk must be recorded in the “Species at Risk” section of the Logbook. Furthermore, all interactions with species at risk, notably the North Atlantic Right Whale, the Blue Whale (Atlantic population), the Beluga Whale (St. Lawrence Estuary population) and the White Shark (Atlantic population), must be recorded in this section of the Logbook.
These requirements are additional to any obligation to declare an interaction with a marine mammal using the prescribed form (see section Marine mammal interaction reporting).
24 Crew registry
As of April 1st, 2021, inshore commercial licence holders, and their approved Substitute Operators, must keep records of all the crew members working aboard the vessel on every fishing trip. These records must be maintained by the licence holder for a period of five (5) years. This requirement does not apply to pre-1979 corporation licence and to any licence issued under the authority of the Aboriginal Communal Fishing Licences Regulations.For further details, refer to the March 17th, 2021 Notice to Fish Harvesters at https://inter-l01.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/applications/opti-opei/notice-avis-detail-eng.php?pub_id=2150&todo=view&type=2or contact the Licensing Office at 1-877-535-7307 or fishingpeche@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
25 Conditions of licence
To obtain their Conditions of licence, licence holders must log-on to the National Online Licensing System (NOLS) and place a request. Valid Conditions of licence will be available through the NOLS following payment of the licence and at the latest 48 hours before the opening of the fishery.
For NOLS assistance, please contact customer support by phone at 1-877-535-7307, or by email at: fishing-peche@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
Approved by:
Maryse Lemire
Fisheries Management Regional Director
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Quebec
For any question regarding this CHP
You may call at 1-800-463-1729
For additional information
Please visit our website at the following address:
http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fisheries-peches/index-eng.htm.