PACIFIC HAKE JOINT VENTURE FISHERY REINSTATED

VANCOUVER – Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) today announced the management measures for the 2004 Pacific hake commercial fishery. 

For the 2004 fishing season, the total allowable catch (TAC) for Canadian commercial fishers has been set at 134,372 metric tonnes.  In addition, there is a carry-over of 1,348 metric tonnes of uncaught quota from 2003 that is available for harvest in 2004.  This TAC allocation is consistent with the recently signed treaty between Canada and the United States.

In November, 2003, the Canadian and American governments signed an agreement on the Canada–US allocation of hake, which is harvested on both sides of the border off the Pacific coast.  Under the new agreement, 26.12 per cent of the TAC is allocated to Canada, and 73.88 per cent of the TAC is allocated to the US.  The treaty established new ways to strengthen cooperation between Canada and the U.S. by creating a process under which the TAC is decided and the fishery is managed. 

This year’s TAC is much larger compared to previous years due to a substantial increase in hake biomass as a result of a strong 1999 year-class.  This rapid change in stock abundance is not unusual for a species that exhibits extreme fluctuations in recruitment as with hake.

Given the significant increase in TAC, changes in global market conditions, as well as the recently announced closure of two on-shore processing facilities in Ucluelet, hake fishers and trawl vessel owners requested a re-examination of the current three-year policy that requires all hake be delivered to on-shore plants for processing.   Over the past few months, through discussions with the Province of B.C. and stakeholders, DFO has determined that a joint venture program which allows Canadian fishers to deliver hake directly to at-sea processors will be reinstated for a one year period, starting July 1. 

For the 2004 season, the Canadian TAC will be allocated with 50,000 metric tonnes for delivery to on-shore plants and 50,000 metric tonnes of hake for delivery to at-sea processors involved in the joint venture program.  On-shore processing plants can be assured of receiving their allocation.  A number of specific measures will be introduced to ensure that on-shore processors do not encounter any difficulties in accessing or receiving an adequate supply of hake.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada would like to thank John van Dongen, provincial Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries; Dianne St. Jacques, Mayor of Ucluelet; and Ken McRae, Mayor of Port Alberni, for their assistance in reaching decisions concerning the hake fishery. 

In 2004, the on-board observer coverage and at-sea sampling program will again be in place to assist the Department’s stock assessment capability. 

On average there are 40 to 50 commercial vessels in British Columbia that participate annually in the hake fishery.  This fishery generally runs from mid to late May until mid-October and is conducted almost exclusively by large, mid-water trawl vessels.  The landed value of the fishery is approximately $12 million to $15 million.

The Department remains committed to ensuring the sustainability of Pacific fisheries for today and for future generations.  Conservation of this shared resource is a paramount objective for Canada.

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For more information:

Michelle Imbeau
Communications Officer
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Region
(604) 666-2872

Please visit our web site at: http://www-comm.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Fisheries and Oceans Canada - Pacific Region Contact Communications Branch Important Notices and Disclaimers Questions Contact: Webmaster Updated: 2006-05-23