NR-HQ-01-27E

Dhaliwal Announces Newfoundland Groundfish and Redfish Management Measures

April 4, 2001

OTTAWA --Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today announced management measures and total allowable catches (TACs) for most groundfish stocks in the Newfoundland region and redfish stocks in Atlantic Canada. The announcement follows recommendations made to the Minister by the Fisheries Resource Conservation Council (FRCC) in its January and March, 2001 reports.

The Minister has accepted all of the TAC levels recommended by the FRCC for the year 2001. For the 3Ps cod stock, the Minister accepted a decrease in the TAC to 15,000 tonnes from 20,000 tonnes in 2000. "Given the uncertainties of this stock, I have decided to accept the responsible approach recommended by the FRCC", said Mr. Dhaliwal. This decision was made following consultations with France on the shared 3Ps stock.

The Minister also noted the importance of the complete suite of measures recommended by the FRCC for the 3Ps cod stock, which contributed significantly to his acceptance of the recommendation for the TAC of 15,000 tonnes. "These measures are considered essential to ensuring the rebuilding and future conservation of the stock. I am aware of the impacts that the reduced TAC in the 3Ps cod fishery will have on local fishers, however, we need to protect this stock", said Mr. Dhaliwal.

While the FRCC recommended that this TAC also be applied for a two year period, DFO will undertake a full-scientific review before establishing a TAC level for next year. In addition, a post-fishery analysis on the effectiveness of the management measures that were implemented during the 2001/2002 fishing season will be vital prior to any decisions for the 2002-2003 fishing year.

"I am confident that the information we gather on the stocks through these reviews will help us make well-informed decisions for the future", said Mr. Dhaliwal.

The department will work with industry in order to put in place new measures in line with the FRCC recommendations to protect the cod stocks in 3Ps. Some of these measures include additional closed areas and seasons, a restricted gillnet season, and restrictions on the proportion of the Canadian quota for vessels less than 65 feet which can be harvested by gillnets.

The FRCC has also made a number of other non-TAC recommendations regarding management measures that should be put in place for each stock to rebuild spawning stock biomass and reproductive capability, while enabling the prosecution of other commercially important fisheries. Most of these recommendations were also accepted by the Minister. However, the current management regime limiting by-catches of American plaice in the directed witch flounder fishery will remain in effect.

Many of these measures will be part of the Conservation Harvesting Plans and will be discussed with industry over the coming weeks.

The TAC levels are summarized in the attached backgrounder:
2001/02 TAC Levels for Newfoundland and Redfish Stocks.