Fishery Notice: Management plan for Unit 1 and 2 redfish

Fisheries and Oceans Canada today announces a two year (2018 and 2019) management plan for redfish in Unit 1 (Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization Divisions 4RST and 4Vn, 3Pn (Jan – May), and Unit 2 (Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization Divisions 4Vs, portions of 4W, 3Ps and 4Vn, 3Pn (June – December).

For Unit 1, the index fishery program will be maintained with a 2,000t quota. An additional 2,500t experimental quota will be made available under an Experimental Redfish Fishing Plan notably for the purpose of testing gear to minimize capture of undersized redfish (<22 cm) and bycatch, and to collect data on redfish species identification and reproduction. Details on the Experimental Redfish Fishing Plan for Unit 1 and the online application process will be provided at a later date.

Please note that due to time constraints, and the logistics associated with implementing the Experimental Redfish Fishing Plan, approved new experimental projects should expect to begin in October for the 2018 season.

For Unit 2, the TAC will be maintained at 8,500 t, with 1500t of the Canadian commercial quota set aside under Section 10 of the Fisheries Act for an industry led biennial scientific survey. Negotiations were also held with France (in respect of Saint Pierre and Miquelon) on a TAC for Unit 2 redfish, who agreed to the rollover for 2018. Negotiations with France are required annually for all 3Ps shared species.

For more information please contact:
Sandra Courchesne
Senior Advisor, Groundfish, Integrated Fisheries Resource Management
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa, ON
613-990 9245
Email: Sandra.courchesne@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Or

Carole Leblanc
Regional manager
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Moncton, NB
506-851-2147
Email: carole.leblanc@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Bernard Morin
Senior Advisor, Groundfish
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Québec, Qc
418-648-5891
Email: Bernard.morin@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Melissa Abbott
A/Senior Advisor, Groundfish
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
St. John’s, NL
709-772-2915
Email: Melissa.abbott@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Penny Doherty
A/Senior Advisor, Groundfish
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Dartmouth, NS
902-402-5508
Email: Penny.doherty@dfo-mpo.gc.ca