Inshore Scallop - Maritimes Region - 2015

Foreword

Photo of two Sea Scallops Placopecten magellanicus — Sea scallop (Placopecten magellanicus)

The purpose of this Integrated Fisheries Management Plan (IFMP) is to identify the main objectives and requirements for the inshore scallop fisheries in Scallop Fishing Areas 28 and 29, as well as the management measures that will be used to achieve these objectives. This document also serves to communicate the basic information on the fishery and its management to government, stakeholders and the public. This IFMP provides a common understanding of the basic “rules” for the sustainable management of the fisheries resource.

Through IFMPs, DFO intends to implement an Ecosystem Approach to Management (EAM) across all marine fisheries. The approach considers impacts extending beyond those affecting the target species and, in this respect, is consistent with the Food and Agriculture Organization’s Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. Implementation will take place in a step by step, evolutionary way, building on existing management processes. Advances will be made incrementally, beginning with the highest priorities and issues that offer the greatest scope for progress. A summary of the regional EAM framework is included as Appendix 17 to the IFMP.

This IFMP 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 agreement, the IFMP will be implemented in a manner consistent with these obligations. In the event that an IFMP is inconsistent with obligations under land claim agreements, the provisions of the land claims agreements will prevail to the extent of the inconsistency.

Signed: Regional Director, Fisheries Management, Maritimes Region

INTRODUCTION

1. OVERVIEW OF THE FISHERY

1.1 History of the Fishery
1.2 Type(s) of Fishery
- 1.2.1 Commercial
- 1.2.2 Recreational
- 1.2.3 Exploratory
- 1.2.4 First Nations Fishery
- 1.2.5 Aquaculture
1.3 Participants
1.4 Location of the Fishery
1.5 Fishery Characteristics
- 1.5.1 Management Measures
- 1.5.2 Gear
- 1.5.3 Time Frame of the Fishery
1.6 Governance
- 1.6.1 Legislation, Regulations and Licensing Policy
- 1.6.2 Advisory Committees and Working Groups
- 1.6.3 Regional Advisory Process
- 1.6.4 Approval Process

2. STOCK ASSESSMENT, SCIENCE AND TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE

3. SOCIAL, CULTURAL AND ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF THE FISHERY

3.1 Overview
3.2 Inshore Scallop Quota and Landings (Quota Year)
3.3 Landings and Landed Value (Calendar Year)
3.4 Fishing Areas

4. MANAGEMENT ISSUES

4.1 Fisheries Issues
- 4.1.1 Small Scallops
- 4.1.2 Bycatch
- 4.1.3 Catch Monitoring
- 4.1.4 Species Interactions
- 4.1.5 Fleet Rationalization
4.2 Depleted Species Concerns
- 4.2.1 Atlantic Wolffish
- 4.2.2 Winter Skate
4.3 Ecosystem Management Considerations
- 4.3.2 Bay of Fundy Horse Mussel Reefs
4.4 Gear Impacts
4.5 International Issues
- 4.5.1 Marketing
- 4.5.2 Transboundary
- 4.5.3 Certification – EcoLabelling

5. OBJECTIVES

6. STRATEGIES AND TACTICS

7. ACCESS AND ALLOCATION

7.1 Sharing Arrangements
- 7.1.1 Bay of Fundy
- 7.1.2 SFA 29 West
7.2 Quotas and Allocations
- 7.2.1 Bay of Fundy fleets
- 7.2.2 SFA 29 West
- 7.2.3 Recreational Scallop
- 7.2.4 Aboriginal Food, Social and Ceremonial

8. SHARED STEWARDSHIP

9. COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

10. EVALUATION, MONITORING AND PLAN ENHANCEMENT

11. FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

11.1 Industry and/or Other Stakeholders
11.2 Fisheries and Oceans Canada

12. SAFETY AT SEA

List of Tables

Table 6.1 – Strategies and tactics incorporating reference points
Table 10.1 – Evaluation, Monitoring and Plan Enhancement

List of Figures

Figure 3.1 – Maritimes Region Inshore Scallop Total Allowable Catch and landings (tonnes of meats), 1996/96-2012/13p
Figure 3.2 – Maritimes Region Inshore Scallop Landings (tonnes of meats) by Fleet/fishery and Total Landed Value ($millions), 1985-2013p
Figure 3.3 (a-e) – Maritimes Region Inshore Scallop Landing (tonnes of meats) and landed Value ($millions) by Fleet/Fishery
Figure 3.4 – Maritimes Region Inshore Scallop Vessel Activity by Fleet/Fishery, 1997-2013p
Figure 3.5 – Maritimes Region Inshore Scallop Average landed price (Meat Weight), 1997-2013p
Figure 3.6 – Maritimes Region Inshore Scallop Average landed value per Active Licence by Fleet/Fishery (2013)
Figure 3.7 – Maritimes Region Inshore Scallop landed Value by County ($, % of Inshore Scallop total), 2012
Figure 3.8 – Scallop landings map (2008-2012) Atlantic Regions
Figure 4.1 – Horse mussel reefs in the Bay of Fundy

List of Appendices

Appendix 1 – Inshore Scallop Port Sampling Procedures
Appendix 2 – Guidelines for a “Clapper Event”
Appendix 3a – Scallop Fishing Areas, AFR, 1985, Part IIA and IIB
Appendix 3b – Inshore Scallop Management Areas
Appendix 3c – Bay of Fundy Scallop Fishing Areas and Scallop Production Areas
Appendix 4 – Inshore Scallop Gear
Appendix 5 – SFA 29 East of Baccaro (East of 65 30 W) Licence Transfer Policy
Appendix 6 – Inshore Scallop Advisory Committee - Terms of Reference
Appendix 7 – SFA 29 West Scallop Advisory Committee – Terms of Reference
Appendix 8 – SFA 29 East Advisory Committee – Terms of Reference
Appendix 9 – Inshore Scallop Fleets Landings and TACs
Appendix 10 – Inshore Scallop Fleets Landings and Values
Appendix 11a – Full Bay Scallop Fleet Percentage Quota Shares
Appendix 11b – Quota Transfer Guidelines, Bay of Fundy Scallops – Full Bay Fleet – Revised 2010
Appendix 12a – SFA 29 West Percentage Quota Shares
Appendix 12b – Quota Transfer Guidelines, SFA 29 West
Appendix 13 – Conservation and Protection Summary
Appendix 14 – Summary of Maritimes Region EAM Framework
Appendix 15 – Glossary Terms

Introduction

This Integrated Fisheries Management Plan (IFMP) sets out the policy of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) with respect to managing the scallop fisheries in the Bay of Fundy and approaches (Scallop Fishing Areas 28A, 28B, 28C and 28D) and Scallop Fishing Area 29. Although this plan outlines commitments to the various management objectives and strategies, the Minister retains the discretion to make exceptions to or amend this plan at any time. However, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the stakeholders associated with the formulation and application of this plan fully expect the process to be followed as described in this document with improvements made from time to time based on periodical performance reviews or other requirements as dictated by the state of the fishery.

This plan includes an Ecosystem Approach to Management (EAM) approach to the overall planning process. Under this approach, all resource users, other stakeholders and DFO will collaborate to develop objectives, strategies and review standards designed to meet the following criteria:

Establish measurable, clearly stated management objectives and strategies;
Consider biological, economic and social factors;
Utilize a precautionary approach to risk management on an ecosystem based scale to promote sustainable resource utilization, and;
Develop a structured and systematic approach to fisheries management.

Date modified:: 2017-02-09

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Inshore Scallop - Maritimes Region - 2015

Foreword

Table of contents

Introduction