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2024 Conservation Harvesting Plan (CHP) NAFO Area 2 + Divisions 3KLMNO groundfish fishery mobile gear fleet

1. Eligibility

Participation in the NAFO Area 2 + Divisions 3KLMNO mobile gear groundfish fishery is restricted to inshore groundfish licence holders with vessels <27.4 meters (90 feet), with a homeport in NAFO Divisions 2GHJ3KL.

2. Fishing areas

This Conservation Harvesting Plan (CHP) governs the directed mobile gear groundfish fishery in NAFO Area 2 + Divisions 3KLMNO for the NAFO management cycle which runs from January 1 to December 31 annually.

3. Fishing restrictions

This CHP applies to the following species:

As per the Groundfish General Licence Conditions and species specific licence conditions.

4. Catch limitations

  1. The NAFO Area 2 + Divisions 3KLMNO Greenland halibut quota will be allocated according to a priority list created from a random draw of eligible fishers. The first three fishers will be assigned a permit which shall include a catch limit of one third the mobile gear allocation in NAFO Divisions 2+3K, and one third the mobile gear allocation in NAFO Divisions 3LMNO.
  2. Harvesters will be permitted to harvest the NAFO Divisions 3LMNO quota portion in NAFO Divisions 2GHJ3K.
  3. Each permit will be for a 2 week duration, starting on the opening date.
  4. Following the 2 week period, the remaining quota will be assessed and additional permits may be issued, until the quota is taken.
  5. For each eligible fisher, the initial 2 week permit may be extended if fishing activity has commenced within that initial two week period.
  6. If a fisher has not started to actively fish their permit prior to their permit expiring, they will not be issued a second permit. A permit will be issued by Fisheries and Oceans Canada to the next eligible fisher on the list.
  7. In order to participate in a draw for permits, the following eligibility criteria must be met:
    1. Fishers should only apply for a permit if they intend to actively fish the permit.
    2. Vessel must be capable of fishing in water depths greater than 548 m (300 fathoms).
    3. Fishers must be prepared to fish within 2 weeks of the fishery opening date.
    4. Fishers designated as ‘Fisher B’ in a “Buddy- up” arrangement are not eligible to apply.
    5. No vessel transfers or vessel leasing is permitted.
  8. Quota Reconciliation: Nominal quota over-runs from the previous year’s fishery will be deducted from the current year’s quota prior to the start of the fishing season.

5. Season

Notes:

1If ice conditions warrant the opening date will be reviewed.

6. Fishing gear

As per the species licence conditions.

7. Licensing policy

The commercial fishery is guided by licensing policy which sets out requirements and eligibility criteria established by the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada with respect to the licensing of commercial fishing and communal commercial fishing in the Newfoundland and Labrador Region. The policies provide fish harvesters, Aboriginal Organizations, and the Canadian public with a clear and consistent statement regarding the Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s (DFO) policy respecting commercial fishing enterprises, the registration of vessels, and the issuance of recreational and commercial fishing licences in the Newfoundland and Labrador Region.

8. Small fish and by-catch closure protocol

  1. Areas will be closely monitored and may be closed to fishing when the number of undersized fish caught exceeds 15% of the total number of the directed species, or when by-catch levels become a conservation concern.
  2. Closures due to small fish or by-catch will remain in effect for a minimum of 10 days.
  3. When a fishery is closed, it will not reopen until it can be effectively monitored and controlled.
  4. If a fishery in a particular area is closed twice during the year, it may remain closed for the remainder of the year.
  5. If a fishery is closed for the minimum 10-day period due to high incidental catch levels or small fish, reopening will only be considered following a successful, observed, industry funded test fishery.

Species and minimum size (cm)

9. Monitoring and reporting

As per the Groundfish General Licence Conditions and species specific licence conditions.

10. By-catch and incidental catch

As per the Groundfish General Licence Conditions.

11. Species and Risk Act (SARA)

The following species are considered at risk and listed under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) as either Threatened or Endangered:

In accordance with subsection 83(4) of SARA and the recovery strategy for northern wolffish, spotted wolffish, and leatherback turtle, and having met the conditions of sections 73(2) to (6.1) of SARA for white shark, the licence holder or vessel operator is permitted to carry out commercial fishing activities authorized under the Fisheries Act that may incidentally kill, harm, harass, or capture these species.

During these fishing activities, incidental catches of a these species must be returned to the place from which it was taken, and where it is alive, in a manner that causes the least harm. The licence holder or vessel operator is also required to complete the SARA section in the fishing logbook to provide information regarding any interactions with these species. Please refer to the Groundfish General Licence Conditions for further information on these requirements.

12. Marine mammals

As per the Groundfish General Licence Conditions, refer to Schedule 38 - Marine Mammal Interactions and Management Measures.

13. Marine conservation targets: closed areas

As per Schedule 36 – Closed Areas which is attached to the Groundfish General Licence Conditions.

14. Indigineous participation

Allocations will be negotiated with applicable Indigenous communities for food, social and ceremonial (FSC) purposes. Communal licences for FSC and commercial access will be issued under the Aboriginal Communal Fishing Licence Regulations.

15. Safety at sea

  1. Vessel Safety, and the safety of crew members, falls under the mandate of Transport Canada Safety and Security (TCMSS). The Canada Shipping Act 2001, associated regulations, policies, and programs outline the requirements and obligations.
  2. Vessel owners have an obligation under the Canada Shipping Act 2001 to ensure compliance with all applicable requirements. This obligation is extended to vessel operators to ensure the requirements of the Fishing Vessel Safety Regulations are adhered to.
  3. Before leaving port, vessel owners are required to ensure the vessel is designed, constructed, and equipped to operate safely and be seaworthy in its area of operation. This would include such things as:
  4. Owners and operators are also required to ensure all certificates required, are up to date and valid prior to sailing. These certificates include:

Fishing vessel stability

  1. Stability is important and has been found to be a contributing factor to incidents in the past. Vessels built after July 13, 2018, are required to have a stability assessment completed and onboard. Vessels built prior to July 13, 2108, are required to have adequate stability and owners may need to provide verification of adequate stability if requested.
  2. Vessel crews should ensure weights are kept as low as possible and any water onboard is able to be shed overboard through pumps or freeing ports. Vessels with fluid catches should prevent excessive movement of the catch with subdivisions or totes, etc. Any deck equipment should be stacked and secured, keeping as low a center of gravity as possible in mind.

Emergency procedures and drills

  1. Since 2017 fishing vessels have been required to have written safety procedures onboard. This includes, for example:
  2. These procedures are specific to the vessel, the operation, and the numbers of crew members onboard. Each vessel is different so as crew members change vessels, the owner and operator are required to ensure the crew is familiar with the vessel’s layout and safety equipment placement and use, so they are aware of their duties in an emergency. Drills should be conducted as often as necessary to ensure each crew members are familiar with the vessel’s safety procedures. Every time a new crew member comes onboard, a review of the safety procedures followed by drills should take place. Existing crew members should conduct drills several times a year to remain proficient.
  3. Should a vessel be found to not have written emergency procedures onboard, they will be detained and prevented from sailing until such time as the procedures are onboard and the crew can demonstrate proficiency.

Safety equipment

  1. Vessel safety equipment from the Fishing Vessel Safety Regulations is based on hull length and the vessels voyage (longer vessels going further offshore require more safety equipment).
  2. A vessel’s hull length is the longest length from stem to transom including parts which are permanently fixed to the vessel and extend beyond the stem or transom such as:
  3. Hull Length excludes:

Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs)

  1. PFDs are to be worn when there is a risk of drowning. The Master is to determine when there is a risk of drowning and inform the crew to wear a PFD.
  2. PFDs for fishing vessels must be Transport Canada Approved and be:
  3. Owners and operators are to be aware that requirements for the usage and wear of PFDs is regulated by both the Provincial OHS and Federally Transport Canada Marine Safety and Security. Please check your provincial requirements to ensure all applicable requirements are followed.
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