The Southwestern Nova Scotia groundfish fishery is holding its own, with an overall landed value that has topped more than $50-million in 2015 and 2016, harvested by just over 400 vessels from all sectors of the inshore fleet.
According to preliminary statistics from the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans, in 2016 the total landed value of groundfish species on Georges Bank (5Z) was $22,308,556. Fifty-four vessels participated in the fishery, including 31 from the under-65 mobile gear sector and 13 from the under-45 fixed gear fleet.
From April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017 in 4X5Y (Scotian Shelf/Bay of Fundy), groundfish landings had a landed value of $35,153,408. A total of 363 boats from all sectors participated in the fishery, with the majority (262) from the under-45 fixed gear sector. The total landings for both fishing zones was $57,461,964.
In 2015, the total landed value of groundfish species on Georges Bank was $21,292,515, with 55 vessels participating. From April 1, 2015–March 31, 2016, the landed value in 4X5Y was $30,138,999. A total of 358 boats from all sectors participated.
Quota-wise, “In general terms, 5Z haddock total allowable catches (TACs) have been stable at a relatively high level for several years, while 5Z yellowtail flounder and Atlantic cod quotas have been low in recent years,” said DFO communication advisor Debbie Buott-Matheson.
“The 4X5Y Haddock TAC was at the level of 5,100 metric tonnes for several years. Atlantic cod quotas in 4X5Y were reduced by 50 per cent (825 tonnes) in 2015/16 in response to advice from DFO science and have remained at that level since then.”
Looking ahead, preliminary scientific analyses of 2017 data for 4X5Y “suggest that there are no significant changes from recent years,” Buott-Matheson said.
“Populations that have been low such as Atlantic cod and white hake, continue to remain stable at a low biomass. Pollock and haddock biomass estimates remain the same and species such as silver hake, winter flounder and redfish remain high and stable. The Atlantic halibut population continues to be at the highest levels observed since 1970.”
The 2018/19 quotas for the Bay of Fundy and Scotian Shelf groundfish fisheries are announced in the spring following scientific review and recommendations.
As for Georges Bank, there could be some good news on the horizon when it comes to cod stocks and the TAC.
“The Transboundary Management Guidance Committee made up of Canadian and United States representatives met in September to review data on three jointly managed groundfish stocks (Atlantic cod, haddock and yellowtail flounder) and provided non-binding TAC recommendations for these stocks,” Buott-Matheson said.
Among the recommendations are an increase in Atlantic cod TAC based on increases found in the three research vessel surveys conducted by Canada and the U.S. in the fall of 2016 and winter/spring of 2017; a status quo TAC for yellowtail flounder, based on the understanding that the TAC is already at a very low level and fishing mortality is not considered to be driving the current decline in the species and decreased TAC for haddock, based on the science advice that the stock is expected to decline from historical highs in recent years but still remain in the healthy zone in upcoming years.
Buott-Matheson noted the minister has not yet announced the Georges Bank commercial fisheries TAC for 2018.
