Notice of interest for Unit 1 Redfish allocation to Indigenous communities and organizations

This notice is intended for Indigenous communities and organizations that are part of the Redfish Advisory Committee (RAC).

We are reaching out to gauge interest from Indigenous harvesters regarding participation in the Unit 1 Redfish fishery allocation for Indigenous communities and organizations.

As announced on May 31, 2024, 5,500 tonnes (t) of Unit 1 Redfish are allocated to Indigenous communities and organizations. This allocation will be managed through an inter-regional competitive regime for Phase 1 of the fishery (2024-2026). Eligibility criteria are outlined below.

In a competitive fishery there are no individual quotas. Fishing may begin upon receipt of valid Conditions of licence. Once the allocation is caught, the fishery will close.

There will be three separate opening periods in this competitive fishery:

• Period 1: Fishery opening until August 31, 2024
• Period 2: September 1 to December 31, 2024
• Period 3: January 1 to March 31, 2025.

We ask that Interested Indigenous groups who wish to participate in the competitive fishery respond to this Notice of Interest and indicate the period when they plan to fish. This will allow the Department to determine the proportion of quota and bycatch caps to be released at each opening period, helping to ensure that those planning to fish later in the year have the opportunity to do so.

Conservation Harvesting Plans reflecting allocations and bycatch caps for each opening period will be finalized once this information is received.

Eligibility criteria

1. Interested Indigenous groups must hold a mobile gear groundfish licence for vessels less than 65 feet (ft) or 65-100 ft in length, with access to Unit 1 (NAFO divisions 4RST and 3Pn, 4Vn (January to May)).
2. Participants must respond to this notice of interest, indicating the planned fishing period, prior to requesting their Conditions of Licence.

Management measures

Management measures for this fishery will be reflected in Aboriginal Communal Fishing Licence and Conservation Harvesting Plan (CHP), including (but not limited to) any new measures announced on May 31, 2024, notably:

• Seasonal and permanent area closures;
• Depth and gear restrictions;
• At-sea observer (ASO) coverage requirements respective to the participants fleet sector; 
• Mandatory Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) on all vessels;
• Application of the Small Fish and Bycatch Protocol;
• Mandatory dockside monitoring at 100% of the landings;
• Bycatch limits and caps for certain stocks under commercial moratorium (see table below). Bycatches will be counted against respective individual or fleet quotas for species under quota management.
• Bycatch measures for all other species including species at risk will be consistent with existing measures.

Bycatches of certain moratorium stocks will be counted against bycatch caps established for the allocation to Indigenous communities and organizations, as announced on May 31, 2024:

The Department will distribute these bycatch caps proportionately to allocation released at each opening period. The amounts for each opening period will be reflected in the CHP for this fleet.

Once bycatch caps for each opening period are caught, the Department will assess whether bycatch can be re-allocated, and may close fishing for that period.

Given the competitive nature of the fishery, one vessel per licence is authorized to participate.

Response request

If your community or organization meets the eligibility criteria and wishes to participate in this competitive fishery, please provide the following information in the application form below:

1. Name of Indigenous Community or Organization:
2. Contact Person:
3. Email Address:
4. Phone Number:
5. Vessel Size Category (choose one):
   • Less than 65ft
   • 65-100ft
6. Proposed Fishing Period:
   • Please specify the intended period(s) (Period 1, 2, or 3 as described above) when your group plans to conduct fishing operations under this licence.

We also invite interested aboriginal groups to share their views on the introduction of individual catch limits for this competitive fishery. Such limits may ensure  more fair opportunities for all participants. The number of catches allowed per individual will depend on the number of interested participants. Individual harvesting caps are not guaranteed, and once the total allocation for the opening period is caught, fishing for this allocation will close.

Submission deadline: Please submit your response indicating interest and the requested information by July 3, 2024 to Liliya.baranova@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

Your response will inform the management approach for the Unit 1 Redfish fishery allocation for Indigenous communities and organizations. We look forward to hearing from you.

Application form: Unit 1 Redfish - Allocation for Indigenous communities and organizations

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Send completed applications to: Liliya.Baranova@dfo-mpo.gc.ca