Entries

Moncton, Quebec – February 23, 2023

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) is announcing today, for conservation reasons, the closure of the directed fishery for winter flounder and yellowtail flounder in the Gulf of St. Lawrence (Divisions 4T of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization).

Winter flounder and yellowtail flounder stocks have been in the critical zone, as per the precautionary approach framework, since 2004 and 2009 respectively, and no signs of recovery have been observed in the most recent scientific assessments.

SNOW CRAB – AREAS 12 and 12F MAGDALEN ISLANDS FLEET - MERGING ITQ PROGRAMS

2023 SEASON

Magdalen Islands – February 20, 2023

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) - Quebec Region announces the amalgamation of the Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ) programs of 2 groups of the Snow Crab Fishing Area (CFA) 12 fleet and 3 groups of the CFA 12F fleet in the Magdalen Islands sector starting with the 2023 fishing season.

subject:   Announcement of the seasons of the grey seal and harp seal hunt for Magdalen Islands sealers

Quebec/Magdalen Islands – January 18, 2023

Fisheries and Oceans Canada – Quebec Region announces that based on the advice provided by Science and under the Variation Order 2023-Q-300,  the grey seal fishery (hunt) will be open:

Season 2023

Approved 22 December 2022

1. Application

This Conservation Harvesting Plan (CHP) applies to the Magdalen Islands’ sealing fleet and covers the 2023 Grey seal and Harp seal hunt seasons.

Approved December 12, 2022

1. Application

This Conservation-based Harvesting Plan (CHP) applies to the North Shore sealing fleet and covers the 2023 Grey seal and Harp seal hunt season.

2. Fishing Areas

Subject to any Variation order and based on valid licences, the fleet is authorized to hunt in the sealing areas 13 to 16. The 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:

Québec – April 21, 2022

Quebec Region announces the Total Allowable Catches (TAC) for northern shrimp in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence, fishing areas 8, 9, 10 and 12. The TAC for 2022 and 2023 are as follows: 

1. Application

This Conservation Harvesting Plan (CHP) applies to Toad crab license holders from North Shore fleet sub-areas CN1, CN2, CN3 and CN4 and area 12 Magdalen Islands fleet.

Approved March 8, 2022

1. Application

This Conservation Harvesting Plan (CHP) for Atlantic razor clams, Atlantic surf clams and Stimpson`s surf clams applies to the license holders of the Magdalen Islands fleet when conducting fishing activities in Area No. 5 with a hydraulic dredge. This CHP will be in effect in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

Amended, May 6, 2021

Amended July 13, 2021

Amended March 30, 2022

Amended July 22, 2022

1. Application

This Conservation harvesting plan is applicable to all Whelk fishing licence holders in the Quebec region.

Approved July 26, 2022

1. Application

The present conservation harvesting plan (CHP) applies to sea  urchin exploratory licence holders of area 8, from August 1, 2022 to May 31, 2025.

2. Fishing Areas

The sea urchin fishing sub-areas are marked by straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed and closing to the coast:

SUB-AREA 8A: