DFO Opens Second Portion of Mackerel Bait Fishery
On August 15, 2024, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) will release the remaining 235-tonne total allowable catch (TAC) for mackerel fishing areas 1–14 in the Newfoundland and Labrador region. This personal-use bait fishery will open at 0600 hours, with harvesters being restricted to a daily limit of 454 kilograms (1,000 pounds) to be fished by gillnet or handline.
A mandatory hail-in will also be required for all harvesters participating in the fishery. An accurate catch estimate must be provided before offloading one’s catch. Harvesters must hail a trip summary to the Fish Harvesters’ Resource Centre at 1-877-884-7359 / 1-888-562-4511.
N.L. PC Leader Demands Seat at the Table Regarding Fisheries Decisions
Progressive Conservative Party Leader, Tony Wakeham, has spoken out against the federal government after the recent reopening of the commercial cod fishery. In his statement, he noted the Trudeau Liberals previous promise to allocate the first 115,000 tonnes solely to the inshore sector, as well as what he perceived as a lack of preventative action by N.L.’s Liberal Party.
“The silent six Liberal MPs in Ottawa have been celebrating the announcement as a great moment in our province’s history while the Provincial Fisheries Minister has disappeared,” said Wakeham. “As the Furey Liberals enter their ninth year, the Premier sent off a letter yesterday asking for a discussion on joint management. Where have the Furey Liberals been for the past nine years?”
Wakeham called for a pause in the decision-making around N.L. cod until “all its implications are known, which can only be accomplished through face-to-face discussions and meaningful, transparent, and public consultations,” according to a press release by the PC Party.
AF Theriault, EV Maritime Partner in Bid to Construct Electric Ferries in Bedford, Nova Scotia
Canadian shipbuilder AF Theriault & Son Ltd. has partnered with the New Zealand-based technology company EV Maritime in a bid to construct electric ferries that will service between Bedford and Halifax, Nova Scotia.
The project, which is estimated at $258.7 million, will see ferries, terminals and other critical infrastructure delivered to the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) in the 2027–2028 fiscal year.
“Having built the last five ferries for Halifax, we are committed to supporting the expansion of Halifax’s ferry service,” said Gilles Theriault, president of AF Theriault. “We’re thrilled to be bringing EV Maritime on board as partner as we start building fully electric ferries that will deliver long-term environmental and regional economic benefits, while also increasing public transport capability in the province.”
Canada Allocates Further 125,000 Striped Bass for Gulf Indigenous Communities
In response to growth in the striped bass stock in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, announced an allocation of up to 125,000 striped bass for the “development of communal commercial fisheries in Indigenous communities in the Gulf region,” to Natoaganeg First Nation, in addition to 50,000 that have already been allocated.
“After a collapse of the stock in the late 90s, the southern Gulf striped bass is now making a comeback, even to the point of competing with other valued species in the region,” said Lebouthillier. “With today’s announcement, our government is taking concrete actions to control the striped bass stock, creating economic opportunities for coastal communities, and advancing on the important path of Reconciliation.”
Additional Detections of MSX Noted in Prince Edward Island
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed the presence of multinuclear sphere X (MSX) in several locations on Prince Edward Island. MSX prevents oysters from thriving by inhibiting growth and increasing mortality in the species.
Several Primary Control Zones (PCZs) were set up in P.E.I., which disallow the movement of designated animals, boats, equipment and marine plants from the defined area. Collection, sampling and testing of oysters in other provincial bodies of water is ongoing, according to the CFIA. While MSX poses a risk to oysters, the department noted that it is not a food safety concern.
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster Announces $8 Million in Startup Funding
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster (OSC), in partnership with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Mitacs and industry partners, will be investing $8,020,000 to establish startup companies in the marine sector. This funding is part of the third phase of their Ocean Startup Project.
So far, OSC has supported over 150 companies and distributed $3.2 million in funding, which created more than 350 direct jobs. According to OSC, the global ocean economy is set to outpace the growth of the broader economy by 20 per cent by 2030.
Canada and Coastal First Nations Announce Country’s Largest Marine Protected Area
The council of the Haida Nation, Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, Pacheedaht First Nation, Quatsino First Nation and the Government of Canada has designated Tang.ɢwan — ḥačxwiqak — Tsig̱is as Canada’s largest Marine Protected Area (MPA), covering 133,017 square kilometres off the coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia.
The new MPA is home to 47 underwater mountains and all known hydrothermal vents in Canada, which support rare deep-water species off the west coast.
“The Haida Nation recognizes the importance of Canada’s designation of the Tang.ɢwan — ḥačxwiqak — Tsig̱is Marine Protected Area. In October 2022, the Haida Nation designated the portion within Haida territory as a Haida Heritage Site,” said Gaagwiis Jason Alsop, President of the Council of the Haida Nation. “In June 2023, we participated as a partner in an ocean expedition with the Northeast Pacific Deep-sea Exploration Project to study the seamounts. Today, the joint designation demonstrates that all parties share a long-term commitment to ocean protection and biodiversity conservation and shows that a collaborative process can create meaningful measures to safeguard these unique deep-sea habitats.”
Roadside Inspection Blitz Finds 104 Vehicles Failing AIS Inspection
To slow the spread of invasive zebra mussels and other aquatic invasive species (AIS) in southern Ontario, south and central Manitoba, southern Québec and New Brunswick, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) conducted a roadside inspection blitz on the border of Manitoba and Ontario.
To prevent the spread of AIS like zebra mussels, people are expected to clean, drain and dry watercraft and water-related equipment when removing them from the water. From June 21 to 23, 2024, roadside inspections targeted watercraft to check for these steps being taken when transporting watercraft.
During the blitz, 398 vehicles were stopped, of which 294 were compliant with clean, drain and dry requirements. 104 vehicles, however, did not pass AIS inspection, of which five were found to be transporting zebra mussels.
WCB Nova Scotia Expands Mental Health Care Services in Province
The Workers Compensation Board (WCB) of Nova Scotia has secured three new mental healthcare providers within the province, expanding on the provincial government’s decision to make gradual psychological injury (GPI), which occurs due to stressors over time such as bullying and harassment, a compensable injury.
The three new providers that will be servicing Nova Scotia include Homewood Health, The Newly Institute and Edgewood Health Network Canada — Outpatient Service.
“WCB is bringing new mental health service capacity to Nova Scotia, easing the pressure on our health care system and helping us deliver the exceptional service Nova Scotians deserve,” said Karen Adams, WCB CEO.
