3Ps Groundfish Newfoundland and Labrador (2017-2018)

Species and area

Groundfish in NAFO Sub Division 3Ps (Southern Newfoundland and Labrador): cod, witch flounder, Unit II redfish, American plaice, and skate.

Dates of season (subject to change)

The management cycle for cod, witch flounder, Unit II redfish, American plaice, and skate begins on April 1, 2017. Specific dates for openings and closings will be determined in consultation with industry through the normal Conservation Harvesting Plan (CHP) process.

Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and sharing arrangements

Canada and France (in respect to Saint-Pierre and Miquelon) have reached agreement on the joint Total Allowable Catch (TAC) levels for the 2017/18 fishery for stocks covered in Annex I of the Canada-France Procès-verbal. Reciprocal fishing access (as outlined in the Procès-verbal) has been re-established. Licences for eligible French and Canadian harvesters seeking to access the fishing zone of the other Party will be available in the coming weeks through the same process as in previous years.

For this season, TAC levels for 3Ps witch flounder, Unit II redfish and 3Ps skate remain unchanged from 2016/17. American plaice remains under the moratorium established in 1993. The TAC for 3Ps cod has been decreased in line with scientific advice.

Species: 2017/18 TAC (in tonnes):

3Ps Cod: 6,500
Unit II Redfish: 8,500
3Ps Witch Flounder: 650
3Ps American Plaice: Moratorium
3Ps Skate: 1,050 (not covered under the Procès-verbal)

Canada has allocated its shares: (3Ps cod - 5,486t; Unit II redfish - 8,194t; and, 3Ps Witch flounder - 577t) of the total TAC in accordance with the 1994 Canada-France Procès-verbal.

Management measures

Fisheries and Oceans Canada met with representatives from various fleet sectors in the commercial fishery, processors, the provincial government and affected aboriginal groups to discuss their views on the latest stock assessments for 3Ps cod and other groundfish. Stakeholders provided input on management measures, including TACs, for the 2017-2018 fishing season.

Conservation Harvesting Plans for individual fleets will be finalized through the normal consultation process between regional staff and industry officials.

Links to other information

DFO has completed its analysis on these stocks, including the development of the Science Advisory Reports (SAR). You can access the SAR using the following link: SAR.