NO COMMERCIAL HERRING FISHERY IN JUNE FOR THE INSHORE FISHERS IN THE SOUTHERN GULF OF ST. LAWRENCE

MONCTON - QUÉBEC - The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) announced today that there will be no commercial herring fishery in June for the inshore fishers in the Southern Gulf. The 4T inshore spring quota is 12,954 tonnes. The total catch to date is close to 14 000 tonnes.

The current herring management plan for the inshore spring fishery which has been in place for the last 10 years has served the industry very well. However, some areas have experienced greater fishing opportunities than others because of early spawning activities and of quota being caught quickly. Therefore, an in-depth review of the herring management plan for the 1997 spring fishery will be undertaken in cooperation with fishermen's organizations. Safeguards to allow a wider distribution of the quota between fishing areas and an extension of the fishery in June will be the focus of the review.

For information:

Laurent G. Paulin
Fisheries and Oceans
Moncton, N.B.
(506) 851-7792

Denis Tremblay
Fisheries and Oceans
Québec, Qc
(418) 648-5885