3Ps Skate Fishery Small but Steady
Only about 13 inshore vessels pursue the thorny skate fishery in NAFO fishing division 3Ps each year.
For other fleets in the groundfish fisheries, it’s a bycatch.
“The skate fishery in 3Ps is pursued by both inshore mobile-gear and inshore fixed-gear licence holders,” said Robin Jahn, communications advisor for Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
“The directed fishery typically opens to inshore mobile-gear licence holders in April and to inshore fixed-gear licence holders in May of ...
White Hake Stock Biomass Still Low in 3NO
No significant recruitment is occurring for white hake in NAFO Division 3NO, according to the last stock assessment conducted by the NAFO Scientific Council in June 2019.
“In fact, there has been extremely low recruitment since that generated by the very large 1999-year class,” states the scientific report.
Based on DFO-NL research vessel survey trends, “the NAFO Scientific Council determined that stock biomass is low,” said Rodney Drover, communications advisor for Fisheries and ...
Harvesting Plan Announced for 2019 Northern Cod Fishery
Harvesters in eastern Newfoundland are either already on the water or are gearing up for the 2019 Northern cod fishery.
This spring, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) reported that the spawning stock biomass (SSB) for 2J3KL cod had returned to its level of two years ago, about 48 per cent of the critical level needed for a healthy fishery or 398,000 tonnes. In fact, DFO actually revised its 2018 stock projection. The department reported that the 2018 SSB had been revised from ...
A Cod Fishery Juxtaposition
The management approach for the Northern cod stewardship fishery for NAFO Divisions 2J3KL was recently announced by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO).
As in past years, the catch phrase for this fishery once again appears to be cautious optimism, as DFO unveiled a total commercial quota of 12,350 tonnes, a 30 per cent increase relative to 2018.
While harvesters on the eastern shores of Newfoundland await the detailed conservation and harvesting plan for this year’s Northern ...
Core or Non-Core, We Are Fishermen Too
As a fisherman in (NAFO Area) 3L, I am not only writing this on my behalf, but for other fisherman around the island who find themselves in the same situation that I am in.
Although I have fished for the better part of my life as a crewmember, I am considered non-core. When the fishery was primarily a cod fishery around the island back in the 70s and 80s, a lot of crewmembers fished on boats that probably belonged to some member of their family and that was considered the norm.
No one ...
NL-GIDC Outlines Priority Issues for Groundfish Industry Development
Above photo: NL-GIDC independent chair, Jim Baird
Since its inception in April 2016, the Newfoundland and Labrador Groundfish Industry Development Council (NL-GIDC) has quickly become a major player in formulating a strategy for re-establishing a commercial cod fishery in the province.
The organization, made up of processors, harvesters and government officials, recently unveiled its latest strategy at its annual general meeting in St. John’s.
“The way forward for our provinc...
Shrimp Price Bumped to $1.25/pound
2017 Quota Cuts Still Cast Shadow on Season
The Standing Fish Price-Setting Panel sided with harvesters June 21 when it agreed to a proposal from Newfoundland and Labrador shrimp fishermen to increase the minimum price to $1.25/pound, up from the original 2017 price of $.95/pound set in April.
The bump amounts to a 31.5 per cent increase and is the minimum price for all shrimp sizes landed this summer, which range from two grams and up.
Processors, represented by the Association of ...
Longer Season, Increased Quotas for 2017 2J3KL Cod Fishery
Fishermen in NAFO Divisions 2J3KL are going to be able to catch more cod this year.
In late May, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) announced the 2017 Northern cod Stewardship/Bycatch fishery will be opening earlier this year, with an increase in weekly catch limits. As well, the 12-mile fishing restriction has been dropped.
The season started on June 12, with fishermen permitted to take 4,000 pounds per week, up to June 30. The season will be closed for the month of July when ...
2017 2J3KL Northern Cod Fishery Management Plan Announced
DFO advised today that the Northern cod Stewardship/Bycatch fishery will open to fish harvesters based in NAFO Divisions 2J3KL at 0600 hours on Monday, June 12, 2017.
This will apply to Vessel class 292.
Licence conditions will be in effect for the initial period of June 12 to June 30, 2017. There will be no fishery in July. The fishery will resume August 1, 2017 and close on November 30, 2017.
Licences and conditions will be available through DFO's National On-line Licencing System....
DFO Announces Multi-Year Gulf Groundfish Management Plan
On May 9, The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) announced the multi-year management plan for some groundfish species in the Gulf of St. Lawrence Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) divisions 3Pn,4RST.
DFO also provided a reminder of previous total allowable catch (TAC) decisions for the groundfish species currently managed under a multi-year plan.
A yearly TAC of 3,185 tonnes for cod, will be established as of May 15, 2017 for a two-year period for cod 3Pn,4RS, ...
