Groundfish Species - Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Divisions 2+3KL - Effective: 2013

The purpose of this Integrated Fisheries Management Plan (IFMP) summary is to provide a brief overview of the information found in the full IFMP. This document also serves to communicate the basic information on the fishery and its management to DFO staff, legislated co-management boards and other stakeholders. This IFMP provides a common understanding of the basic “rules” for the sustainable management of the fisheries resource. The full IFMP is available on request.

This IFMP summary is not a legally binding instrument which can form the basis of a legal challenge. The IFMP can be modified at any time and does not fetter the Minister's discretionary powers set out in the Fisheries Act. The Minister can, for reasons of conservation or for any other valid reasons, modify any provision of the IFMP in accordance with the powers granted pursuant to the Fisheries Act.

Where DFO is responsible for implementing obligations under land claims agreements, the IFMP will be implemented in a manner consistent with these obligations. In the event that an IFMP is inconsistent with obligations under land claims agreements, the provisions of the land claims agreements will prevail to the extent of the inconsistency.

Kevin Anderson
Regional Director. Fisheries Management
Newfoundland and Labrador Region

General Overview/Introduction

There are various directed and by-catch groundfish fisheries in 2+3KL. Groundfish species in 2+3KL include: American plaice, Atlantic halibut, cod, Greenland halibut (turbot), grenadier, haddock, lumpfish, monkfish, pollock, redfish, skate, white hake, winter flounder (blackback), witch flounder (greysole), and yellowtail. Several of these species are under moratorium. There is a commercial fishery prosecuted by approximately 2,000 individual harvesting enterprises in seven distinct fleet sectors utilizing fixed and mobile gear types. There is also a recreational groundfish fishery as well as an Aboriginal component (food, social, ceremonial and communal commercial) to the fishery.

Groundfish species in 2+3KL are partly managed by the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO). The Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization is an intergovernmental fisheries science and management body, founded in 1979 as a successor to the International Commission of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries (ICNAF 1949-1978). Groundfish species/stocks in 2J/3KL are considered straddling stocks as they are inside both the Canadian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and the NAFO Regulatory Area (NRA) beyond Canada’s 200 mile limit.

Stock Assessment, Science & Traditional Knowledge

Science advice, proceedings and stocks assessments/scientific evaluations for the species implicated in this IFMP and resulting from Canadian Stock Assessment Secretariat (CSAS) meetings are available online at: http://www.meds-sdmm.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/csas-sccs/applications/Publications/index-eng.asp

Economic, Social, Cultural Importance

Recent annual landings of groundfish have exceeded 10,000 tonnes in volume and $30M in value. In 2012, turbot was the species with the highest share of total volume (6,000 t) and value ($28M). The yellowtail catch in the 3L portion of the management area in scope for this IFMP is a marginal part of the larger 3LNO yellowtail stock area in which most of the catch is recorded in 3NO. This yellowtail fishery has its own IFMP.

In 2012 Two thirds of active groundfish harvesters derived less than 10% of their total annual fishing earnings from groundfish. Those with a greater than 75% dependency on groundfish accounted for 17% of active harvesters.

Access and Allocations

The Minister can, for reasons of conservation or for any other any other valid reasons, modify access, allocations and sharing arrangements outlined in this IFMP in accordance with the powers granted pursuant to the Fisheries Act.

Sharing arrangements and allocations are found at the end of this summary document. Scientific advice and assessments in conjunction with input from industry and Aboriginal groups are the basis for the determination of TACs. Groundfish resources within Div. 2J/3KL are monitored and assessed regularly and new advice is provided if a significant change is detected. Groundfish TACs will be modified as required during the term of this multi-year management plan.

As the IFMP is a multi-year plan, quotas may change due to harvest control rules. Please see the DFO Fisheries Management Decisions website for updated information.

Governance Process

Groundfish management is conducted through advisory processes. The advisory committee solicits the opinions of stakeholders on past management practices and focuses on management measure recommendations for future groundfish fisheries. This includes recommendations on the Total Allowable Catch (TAC).

Ministerial approval of TACs is required while approval of the Evergreen IFMP is through the Regional Director, Fisheries Management, Newfoundland and Labrador Region. Recommendations from all stakeholder groups on TACs and all management measures are considered in the development of the IFMP. Decision making for opening and closing dates in specific areas and gear types is done in consultation with industry as well as DFO Area Staff. Other issues that arise during the lifetime of this plan will be addressed through similar consultative processes.

Shared Stewardship Arrangements

DFO strives to promote a co-management approach, providing harvesters with an effective sharing of responsibility, accountability and decision making, within the constraints of the Fisheries Act, the precautionary approach and any harvest control rules. In addition to organizing regular Newfoundland & Labrador Groundfish Advisory Committee meetings, DFO often establishes Multi-stakeholder Working Groups (WG) designed to examine domestic and international issues.

Management of the Fishery

It is mandatory for fish harvesters to return their completed logbooks to DFO. The return rate, particularly in the inshore groundfish sector, is lower than desired. DFO encourages all fish harvesters to return their completed logbooks as this information is important to the science advisory process and in the management of the Fisheries.

Considerable effort is placed on avoiding cod during closed times and this will continue to be an area of focus for both DFO and the industry. By-catch restrictions for cod are outlined in the species-specific Conservation Harvesting Plans (CHP’s) in the Appendices to the IFMP. In addition to cod, several other species of groundfish, including haddock, redfish, American plaice, witch and grenadier in 2+3KL are under moratorium. Considerable effort is placed on avoiding these by-catch species. By-catch restrictions are outlined in the species-specific Conservation Harvesting Plans (CHP’s) in the Appendices.

Compliance Plan

DFO employs effective monitoring and surveillance tools and mechanisms that ensure compliance with conservation measures, including:

• Use of Vessel Monitoring Systems for vessels larger than 35’ LOA
• Dockside Monitoring Programs for 100% of landings
• Aerial and dockside surveillance in addition to periodic audits of landings and catch information outside regular operations.
• At-Sea Observer coverage at targeted levels

Performance Review & Plan Enhancement

Post season analysis sessions will be conducted with C&P and Resource Management staff to review issues encountered during the previous season and to make recommendations on improving management measures. These sessions will be conducted at the Area level and the regional level and include all sectors of DFO.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada Contact

For additional information on this IFMP Summary or to request an electronic version of the full IFMP, please contact:

Fisheries Management Branch
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Newfoundland and Labrador Region
P. O. Box 5667 / C.P. 5667
St. John's, NL A1C 5X1
(Ph) 709-772-4418 (Fax) 709-772-3628

Sharing Arrangements:

Quotas and Allocations:

As the IFMP is a multi-year plan, quotas may change due to harvest control years. Please see the DFO Fisheries Management Decisions website for updated information.

The Minister can, for reasons of conservation or for any other valid reasons, modify access, allocations and sharing arrangements as outlined in this IFMP in accordance with the powers granted pursuant to the Fisheries Act.