April 26, 2005 PANGNIRTUNG - The Honourable Geoff Regan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today formally announced his acceptance of the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board's (NWMB) decision that a new Greenland halibut (turbot) management zone be established for Cumberland Sound with a Total Allowable Harvest (TAH) of 500 tonnes. "Creation of a new fishery management zone in Cumberland Sound is an important development for fishers from Nunavut," the Minister said. "It means an additional allocation of 500 tonnes of turbot for them." The Minister said he had also accepted a decision by the NWMB allowing for an exploratory fishery to be carried out in the area adjacent to the new zone in Cumberland Sound, in Division 0B. He indicated that the amount of fish that could be caught in such an exploratory fishery would be part of Nunavut's existing allocation for turbot in Division 0B. As well, the Minister accepted the NWMB decision, which addressed concerns expressed by the Pangnirtung Hunters and Trappers Organization, that offshore vessels not be used in Cumberland Sound. Offshore vessels are 65 feet (19.8 metres) or more in overall length. In accordance with the three-year fishery management plan that is now in place, the Canadian turbot quota for Division 0A will be 4,000 t this year, all of which has been allocated to Nunavut interests. For Division 0B, the Canadian quota will be 5,500 t, with 1,500 t allocated to Nunavut interests, 1,500 t to competitive fisheries and the remaining 2,500 t allocated to the six companies that are involved in this fishery. The allocation of 500 t for Cumberland Sound is separate from these quotas. The Minister will review any recommendations that he may receive from the NWMB for in-season adjustments to the management plan for the Division 0A turbot fishery. As 2005 is the final year of the current, three-year fisheries management plan, consultations with stakeholders and the NWMB about the management plan for the Sub-Area 0 turbot fishery in 2006 and beyond will begin in the fall. This is in accordance with the department's announcement of March 2005 that it is moving towards stable and durable access and allocation processes for the Atlantic region. The Minister said the department is committed to providing Nunavut interests with increased allocations in waters adjacent to the territory over time, while also taking in to consideration the interests of other participants in these fisheries. -30- For More Information: Phil Jenkins Manager, Media Relations Fisheries and Oceans Canada Ottawa (613) 990-7537 Sujata Raisinghani Press Secretary Office of the Minister Fisheries and Oceans Canada Ottawa (613) 992-3474
