News Release

2006 RECREATIONAL GROUNDFISH FISHERY OPENS IN SOUTHERN GULF OF ST. LAWRENCE

MONCTON - The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Gulf Region, today released the management measures for the 2006 recreational groundfish fishery in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence. This follows the June 8^th announcement of 2006-2007 total allowable catches (TACs) for cod in the Gulf and a recreational fishery in areas where commercial fishers have access to groundfish, including cod.

The 2006 groundfish recreational fishery will be conducted by means of hand-line or angling and will include cod. The following season dates have been set:

Recreational fishing will be limited to daylight hours only. No fishing will be permitted before sunrise or after sunset. The individual bag limit of 5 groundfish per day and a boat limit of 15 groundfish will be closely monitored. Because of conservation concerns, fishers are not permitted to keep Atlantic halibut or northern or spotted wolffish.

The areas known as the Shediac Valley and the Miscou Bank will remain closed to all recreational fishing activities. For more information on these closures, contact a DFO fishery officer in your area or consult the Variation Order registry on DFO’s website: http://www.glf.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/cp-cp/ord-ord/index-e.html.

DFO will closely monitor fishing activity, any abuse of the 2006 mesures will result in an early closure of the fishery. The public is reminded to follow safe boating practices during the upcoming fishing season.

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For information:

Internet: http://www.glf.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/comm-comm/nr-cp/index-e.html