NR-HQ-01-53E

Dhaliwal Maintains Existing Atlantic Groundfish Management Measures for 2001 in the Gulf of St. Lawrence

May 30, 2001

OTTAWA -- The Honourable Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today announced management measures and Total Allowable Catches (TACs) for groundfish stocks in the Gulf ofSt. Lawrence. The announcement follows recommendations made to the Minister by the Fisheries Resource Conservation Council (FRCC) in its April 18, 2001 report.

The Minister has accepted all of the FRCC’s recommendations to maintain the same TACs as last year for the Gulf of St. Lawrence stocks. Management approaches instituted last year will continue for the 2001-2002 fishery unless industry representatives agree to another approach. The TAC levels and management measures will be in place for the May 15, 2001 to May 14, 2002 fishing season.

In announcing the 2001 management plan, the Minister expressed concern that groundfish stocks remain close to historical low levels, and that there is no sign of recovery. "I am particularly concerned about the continuing low abundance and poor productivity of the cod stocks", said Mr. Dhaliwal. "Despite severe restrictions on harvest since the fishery reopened, there has been no improvement in stock status, and I have concluded that an alternative longer term approach needs to be developed to secure the future of this once abundant resource."

Mr. Dhaliwal called upon the FRCC to develop a multi-year rebuilding plan as part of their advice for 2002 year and beyond. "Annually set TACs must be adopted in the context of a long term rebuilding plan if we are confident that we are making the right decisions for the stock," said Mr. Dhaliwal.

As recommended by the FRCC, the TAC for turbot in 4RST is 4,500t for 2001. There will be no commercial fishery in the Gulf of St. Lawrence for mobile gear fleets again this year.

"With respect to the 4RST turbot fixed gear quota, I am currently reviewing the report of the independent panel on turbot allocation established in the Spring of 2000 and will be making a decision in the near future", said Mr. Dhaliwal. "In the meantime, the fixed gear turbot fishery can begin with each fleet receiving 75 percent of their allocation based on the most recent sharing of this quota, including 88% to the Quebec fleet and 12% to the Newfoundland fleet. Once a decision is made, we will adjust these allocations if required." 

The Panel was made up of Clément Groleau, a lawyer appointed by the Quebec fleet; Ed Hearn, a lawyer appointed by the Newfoundland fleet; and, former Justice Gérard Laforest, appointed by DFO. Its mandate was to review the respective positions of both parties and their history in the turbot fishery and to recommend a long-term resolution for the sharing of the quota for 4RST turbot.

The recreational groundfish fishery for the Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (4T), Quebec (4S) (not including the lower north shore) and the Scotian Shelf (4VW) will be open between June 18 to September 7, 2001. A daily bag limit of 5 fish per person and a vessel limit of 25 fish are imposed. Again this year, there will be no retention of Atlantic halibut in the recreational fishery. The bag limit and season for the recreational fishery can be varied in the various regions of Atlantic Canada and Quebec if required.

For Newfoundland and Labrador and the Lower North Shore of Quebec, the department invited public comment on proposed regulatory changes to establish a pilot program for recreational groundfish licences for the summer of 2001.

An announcement of a possible recreational fishery plan for Newfoundland and the Lower North Shore of Quebec will be forthcoming once the FRCC’s recommendations on the 2J3KL cod stock have been reviewed.

The FRCC has also recommended the implementation of a number of additional management measures to ensure conservation objectives are met. These measures will have to be implemented by the fishing industry, which will address them in the development of their Conservation Harvesting Plans. The remaining measures will be implemented by the department in consultation with industry during the upcoming fishery. The current conservation protocols for small fish and by-catch will be expanded to include controls on unauthorized release of groundfish. In addition, the existing vessel replacement policy will apply.

As in recent years, quota from retired licences holding individual transferable quotas will remain within the province of origin. Representatives from the inshore fleet sectors are requested to negotiate an agreement on the sharing of bought-back quota. If an agreement cannot be reached, the department will once again determine the sharing arrangement for the cod and American plaice it currently retains from the licence retirement program.

The TAC levels for each stock are summarized in the attached backgrounder 2001 TACs for the Gulf of St. Lawrence Groundfish Stocks.