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2024 Conservation harvesting plan (CHP) - 2J3KL Northern Cod Fishery: Inshore Fleet

This Conservation Harvesting Plan (CHP) outlines the 2024 management measures for the 2J3KL Northern cod inshore (< 65’) fleet sector, applicable to both fixed-gear and mobile-gear fleets. Presently, the CHP only includes measures for the fixed-gear inshore fleet and does not exclude the future incorporation of measures for the inshore mobile-gear fleet.

The management decision includes NAFO homeport-based allocations for the inshore fleet sector, such that a 3KL-based harvester and a 2J-based harvester can fish throughout NAFO Divisions 2J,3K, and 3L, and their landings will be counted against their associated NAFO homeport-based allocation.

1. Eligibility

  1. Participation in the 2024 NAFO Divisions 2J3KL Northern cod inshore fishery is restricted to groundfish licence holders with a homeport in NAFO Divisions 2J3KL and the 3K Equivalent area in NAFO Division 4R defined as North Boat Harbour to Cape Bauld.
  2. Groundfish licence holders in NAFO Divisions 3KL have the option to either participate in this fishery or to exercise their fishing privileges in NAFO sub-Division 3Ps, but not both.

2. Fishing areas

This 2024 Conservation Harvesting Plan governs the directed inshore Northern cod fishery in NAFO Divisions 2J3KL.

3. Fishing restrictions

  1. NAFO Division ‘3K Equivalents’ are defined as NAFO Division 4R licence holders that opt to participate in this fishery, and are authorized to fish only in the portion of NAFO Division 3K defined as North of 51 degrees 18 minutes North (Cape Bauld to Lobster Point) and fishing is not permitted in the waters outside Canada’s Territorial Sea (the 12 mile limit).
  2. 2J-based and 3KL-based inshore harvesters are permitted to fish throughout NAFO Divisions 2J3KL when both 2J-based and 3KL-based fleets are open. Harvesting will be restricted to homeport NAFO Divisions if either 2J-based or 3KL-based inshore fleets are closed. For example, 2J-based harvesters cannot harvest in 3KL until the 3KL-based fleet is open, and 2J-based harvesters will be restricted to fish in NAFO Division 2J should the 3KL-based fleet be closed.

4. Catch limitations

  1. The Canadian Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for the 2J3KL Northern cod fishery is 18,000 t (round weight), and includes a 15,071 t allocation for the inshore fleet sector, with an allocation of 12,057 t for 3KL-based harvesters and an allocation of 3,014 t for 2J-based harvesters.
  2. The 2J3KL Northern cod fishery may close to individual inshore fleets prior to the season end date if the respective fleet allocation is taken.
  3. For the purposes of the 2024 2J3KL Northern cod fishery, a fishing period shall be defined as “fishing week will start at 00:01 local time on Sunday and end on 24:00 local time on the following Saturday”.
  4. For the purposes of the 2024 2J3KL Northern cod fishery, a bi-weekly fishing period shall be defined as “bi-weekly fishing period will start at 00:01 local time on a Sunday and run consecutively for 14 days to which it will then end at 24:00 local time on the second Saturday”.
  5. Harvesters will receive conditions authorizing them to fish based on their homeport:
    1. Homeport NAFO Division 2J (2J-based harvesters):
      • July 21 to August 31, 2024: 35,000 lbs. base bi-weekly limit
      • September 1 to October 12, 2024: 45,000 lbs. base bi-weekly limit
    2. Homeport NAFO Division 3KL & 3K Equivalents (3KL-based harvesters):
      • July 28 to September 14, 2024: 3,850 lbs. base weekly limit
      • September 15 to November 16, 2024: 8,500 lbs. base bi-weekly limit
  6. NAFO Division 3KL-based harvesters have the option of selecting the regular fishing season (identified in 4(e.ii)) or the Fall only option, but not both, as outlined below:
    1. Fall Season: September 15 to November 16, 2024
      Fish only during the fall from September 15 to November 16, 2024, with a base bi-weekly limit of 17,000 lbs.
    2. To ensure that there is harvest available into the fall season and for those that select the 3KL Fall only option, approximately 75% of the available harvest for 3KL will be permitted up to and including September 14, 2024, and approximately 25% will be available for the period after September 15, 2024.
    3. Harvesters that choose the 3KL Fall only fishery option will not be able to fish prior to September 15 and will be authorized to fish only during the fall from September 15 to November 16 at the catch rates identified above in section 4(f.i).
    4. Harvesters that do not select the Fall only fishery option will receive conditions authorizing them to fish the regular season (July 28 to November 16) at the base weekly and base bi-weekly catch limits identified above in section 4(e.ii).
  7. If harvesters have acquired additional cod shares through enterprise combining, their weekly authorized catch limit will be calculated within the licensing program and identified in licence conditions.
  8. The conversion factor from round weight to gutted head on is 1.2. For example, the conversion of a weekly harvest limit of 3,850 lbs. round weight equates to 3,208 lbs. head on gutted.
  9. Should in-season adjustments to catch limits or seasons be required, industry will be consulted, and updates will be communicated to harvesters via a Notice to Fish Harvesters.

5. Season

  1. For NAFO Division 2J-based harvesters, the fishery will open on Sunday, July 21, 2024, and is scheduled to close on Saturday, October 12, 2024 (refer to 4(e)).
  2. For NAFO Divisions 3KL-based harvesters, the fishery will open on Sunday, July 28, 2024, and is scheduled to close on Saturday, November 16, 2024 (refer to 4(e)).

6. Fishing gear

    Fixed-gear fleet

  1. The use of gillnets, longline, hand-line and cod pots will be authorized as per the 2024 2J3KL Northern cod licence conditions. Harvesters are to exercise caution when setting gear to ensure that catch limits are not exceeded.
  2. Harvesters shall not leave fishing gear unattended in the water for more than 72 consecutive hours and are not authorized to set gear prior to the fishery opening.
  3. If harvesters have concerns with respect to safety, they are advised to contact their local DFO Conservation and Protection detachment. For further information on safety at sea, please see Section 16.

    4. Gillnets

  4. NAFO Division 2J

    5. The maximum authorized number of nets onboard the vessel or in the water at any one time is 40 nets up to and including August 31, 2024.

    Commencing September 1, 2024, the maximum number of authorized nets onboard the vessel or in the water at any one time is 45 nets.

  1. NAFO Division 3KL

    2. Up to and including August 17, 2024, the maximum authorized number of nets onboard the vessel or in the water at any one time is 6 nets.

    Commencing August 18, 2024, the maximum authorized number of nets onboard the vessel or in the water at any one time is as follows:

    Longline

  2. NAFO Division 2J

    3. In 2J, the maximum authorized number of hooks onboard the vessel or in the water at any one time is 15,000 hooks up to and including August 31, 2024.

    Commencing September 1, 2024, the maximum number of authorized hooks onboard the vessel or in the water at any one time is 20,000 hooks.

  3. NAFO Division 3KL

    4. In 3KL, the maximum authorized number of hooks onboard the vessel or in the water at any one time is 15,000 hooks up to and including September 14, 2024.

    Commencing September 15, 2024, the maximum number of authorized hooks onboard the vessel or in the water at any one time is 20,000 hooks.

7.Licensing policy

  1. Buddy-up:

    2. There will be no buddy-up arrangements in this fishery. 3K Equivalents are also not able to avail of buddy-up while fishing 2J3KL Northern cod.

  2. Vessel leasing:

    3. The existing vessel leasing policy will be applied. Under this policy, your current vessel must have been previously active to qualify for a lease arrangement. Leasing is only permitted in cases of mechanical breakdown/structural damage, or complete vessel loss. Proper documentation is required.

  3. Substitute operators:

    4. There will be no substitute operators (designations) granted for this fishery. However, the Department will consider medical situations on a case-by-case basis.

8. Small fish protocol

The minimum size for cod is 45 cm (18 in). Areas will be closely monitored and will be closed to fishing when the number of cod < 45 cm long caught exceeds 15% of the total number of cod caught.

9. Reporting and monitoring

  1. As per the Groundfish General licence conditions.
  2. Prior to submitting your Groundfish Fixed Gear Logbook for the less than 35’ Vessel Sector as per Schedule 4, you must make and maintain a copy of each fishing trip for the entire 2J3KL Northern cod fishing season and must be produced for inspection upon request by a Fishery Officer.
  3. When landing in ports outside the Newfoundland and Labrador Region you must, at least six (6) hours prior to your estimated time of entry into port, submit by email to DFO at robyn.morris@dfo-mpo.gc.ca, an end of trip summary.

10. By-catch restrictions

As per the Groundfish General licence conditions.

11. Closed areas

As per the Groundfish General Licence conditions, refer to Schedule 36 - Closed Areas.

12. Species at 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 these species must be returned to the place from which they were taken, and where they are 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.

13. Marine Mammals

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

14. Marine Conservation Targets: Closed Areas

As per the Groundfish Licence Conditions, refer to Schedule 36 – Closed Areas.

15. Indigenous 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.

16. 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:
    • Any modifications made to the vessel need to be done in accordance with standards and verification available if requested. Vessel stability may also need to be verified to include any modifications made.
    • Hatches, doors, and windows watertightness (gaskets, dents, and damage),
    • Underwater penetrations are in good order (not degraded or rusted),
    • Required safety equipment is onboard and valid (not expired),
    • Navigation lights are fitted and in good working order (working bulbs and fixtures are not blocked)
    • Etc.
  4. Owners and operators are also required to ensure all certificates required, are up to date and valid prior to sailing. These certificates include:
    • Vessel Inspection Safety Certificate (if vessel is over 15GT)
    • Crew Certificates (Marine Emergency Duties, Radio Certificate, Nautical Certificates, etc.)

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, 2018, 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:
    • Person Overboard;
    • Fire onboard;
    • Abandoned ship;
    • Pollution;
    • Any other procedures deemed necessary.
  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:
    • Fixed spars;
    • Bowsprits;
    • Pulpits or;
    • Deck extensions.
  3. Hull Length excludes:
    • outboard motors and;
    • any other type of equipment that can be detached with the use of hand tools.

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:
    • Of a highly visible color;
    • Fitted with retro-reflective tape and;
    • Fitted with a whistle.
  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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