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Thibault Announces Management Measures for Northern Cod, Including Details of Year Two of the Recreational Fishing Licence Pilot Program
Ottawa … The Honourable Robert G. Thibault, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today announced management measures and the total allowable catch (TAC) for northern cod in NAFO Divisions 2J3KL for 2002. This includes details of the recreational groundfish fishery for Newfoundland and Labrador and the Lower North Shore of Quebec and is consistent with the advice from the Fisheries Resource Conservation Council (FRCC).
The maximum harvest level for northern cod in NAFO Divisions 2J3KL has been set at 5,600t. All components of the 2002 fishery (index, sentinel and recreational) will be managed within the TAC.
Index fishery
Management measures for the index and sentinel fisheries, as well as individual quotas (IQ) for index fishers, also remain unchanged from 2001. Fishing will be limited to fixed gear only, and only within the inshore areas. (See backgrounder for additional details on the index and sentinel fisheries management measures.)
The index fishery will be subject to industry-funded dockside monitoring and at-sea observer coverage. As in previous years, access to the index fishery will be provided to those with little or no access to other fisheries. Individuals holding temporary shrimp licences will not be permitted access in 2002.
The Minister also announced that a complete assessment of the stock will be conducted for 2003. This assessment is in line with the recommendation of the FRCC, who will conduct a complete consultation following the assessment.
“We made a commitment in 2001 to conduct a thorough review of the 2J3KL cod stock if there was continued evidence of low abundance of Northern cod. The latest scientific update indicates this is the case,” said Minister Thibault. “If prospects for stock recovery remain low following the next assessment and FRCC consultations, drastic management measures will be required to rebuild the stock.”
Recreational fishery
The recreational groundfish fishery pilot program for Newfoundland and Labrador and the Lower North Shore of Quebec will continue in 2002, with significant changes which should reduce removals in 2J3KL and 4RS3Pn, areas where science has raised concerns over stock status.
New management measures for the 2002 recreational fishery includes a shorter, six-week season from August 1 to September 15, 2002, and a maximum of 15 cod per licence in NAFO Divisions 2GHJ3KL and 4RS3Pn. Those fishing in subdivision 3Ps, the south coast of Newfoundland and Labrador between Cape St. Mary’s and Burgeo, will be permitted 30 cod. The bag limit of 10 fish per person, per day will remain, as will the closure of Smith Sound and the five-mile buffer zone to all non-resident recreational fishers (see backgrounder for additional management measures for the recreational fishery).
The return of fishing logs included with the licence remains mandatory. It is important that logs be returned in order to provide timely and accurate catch and effort data on the fishery. DFO resource managers and scientists use this data to evaluate the fish stock and develop effective management and conservation strategies for this fishery.
“The program provided the department with key data to better understand the level of participation in the fishery,” said Minister Thibault. “Information gathered through logbook returns and a telephone survey indicated higher than anticipated removals in the 2001 recreational fishery. This, combined with concern for the stocks, led to the new management measures for 2002.”
Recreational groundfish licences will continue to be sold at Canada Post outlets throughout Newfoundland and Labrador and the Lower North Shore of Quebec. Licences will be available at Canada Post outlets on July 29, 2002.
“Newfoundland and Labrador’s history and culture are rooted in the cod fishery. To ensure its survival for future generations, everyone must fish responsibly,” said Minister Thibault. “Resource conservation is a collective effort and responsibility.”
For more information contact:
Jan Woodford
A/Regional Director, Communications
Fisheries & Oceans Canada
Phone: (709) 772-7622
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