3Ps Groundfish and Iceland Scallop (Core Area) Newfoundland and Labrador (2020-21)

Species and Area

Iceland Scallop in the Core Area and groundfish in NAFO Sub Division 3Ps (Southern Newfoundland and Labrador): cod, witch flounder, Unit 2 redfish, and American plaice

Dates of season (subject to change)

The management cycle for cod, witch flounder, Unit 2 redfish, and American plaice begins on April 1, 2020. 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), sharing arrangements and domestic access and allocation

The Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for 3Ps witch flounder, Unit 2 redfish, and Iceland scallop remain unchanged from 2019-20. American plaice remains under the moratorium established in 1993. The TAC for 3Ps cod decreased by 55 per cent.

Species: 2020-21 TAC (in tonnes):

• 3Ps Cod: 2,691
• 3Ps Witch Flounder: 650
• Unit 2 redfish: 8,500
• 3Ps American Plaice: Moratorium
• Iceland scallop: 990

The shares of these species have been allocated between Canada and France in accordance with the 1994 Canada-France Procès-verbal. Canada’s shares of these stocks are 2,271t for 3Ps Cod, 577t for 3Ps Witch flounder, 8,194t for Unit 2 Redfish, and 297t for Iceland scallop. These shares will be allocated in accordance with the established domestic sharing arrangements for these stocks.

Management measures

Fisheries and Oceans Canada met with representatives from various fleet sectors in the commercial fishery, processors, the provincial government and affected Indigenous groups to discuss the latest stock assessments and seek their views on the management approach for 3Ps cod and other groundfish for 2020-21.

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 these using the following link: SAR