Notices to Fish Harvesters

Subject: Opening and management measures of the Atlantic mackerel bait fishery for the 2025 season

 

Quebec – May 7, 2025

 

The Minister has announced the continuation of the closure of the Atlantic mackerel commercial fishery for 2025 and 2026. The personal-use bait, recreational, and the food, social and ceremonial fisheries will remain open.

For each of 2025 and 2026 seasons, the Minister has set a Total Allowable Catch (TAC) of 500 tonnes (t), which includes 440 t for the personal-use bait fishery, and 20 t each for the bluefin tuna bait exemption, scientific sampling and bycatch.

For the 2025 season, this will be a competitive personal-use bait fishery split in two fishing periods. The first release of 220 t will be open to all four DFO regions of Atlantic Canada and Quebec on Thursday, May 15, 2025. If the first tranche is fully caught, harvesters will be alerted to stop fishing through a Notice to fish Harvesters. The second 220 t release will also be conveyed through a Notice to fish Harvesters with an expected release date in September.

The management measures that will be in place for the mackerel bait fishery in 2025 are listed below. DFO will work with advisory committee members on the management approach for the 2026 fishery.

 

2025 MANAGEMENT MEASURES

Authorized fishing gear

A maximum of 3 gillnets of a maximum total length of 50 fathoms with a minimum mesh size of 69.85 mm and maximum mesh size of 73.025 mm OR a maximum of 6 handlines and 36 hooks total.

Maximum daily limit

The maximum daily limit of mackerel that fish harvesters can catch and retain is 454 kg (1 000 lb) in total.

Hail-out

A mandatory hail-out is required for all fish harvesters participating in the mackerel bait fishery.

Hail-in

A mandatory hail-in is required for all fish harvesters participating in the mackerel bait fishery. An accurate catch estimate must be provided before entering port.

Electronic logbook

The use of the Electronic logbook is mandatory. Fish harvesters must use a client application approved by Fisheries and Oceans Canada and must have obtained and installed their Elog Key in their client application in order to allow data transmission to the Department.

Fishing restrictions

It is strictly forbidden to sell, trade or barter any fish caught under the authority of a bait licence.

Other measures

For other management measures, please refer to the Conditions of licence. Eligible licence holders who wish to participate in this fishery can obtain their Conditions of licence through the National Online Licensing System.

 

For additional information :

Info- Quebec Region

 

Mathieu Pellerin

Resource management

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Quebec region

418-572-9957

Mathieu.Pellerin@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

 

Magdalen Islands area: 418-986-2095

North Shore area: 1-800-463-1729

Gaspe- Lower North Shore area: 1-877-898-5559