June 8, 2006
PETTY HARBOUR -- The Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), today made several announcements in relation to the Atlantic cod fishery for 2006, including a
Northern Cod Science and Fisheries Stewardship Initiative, plans for a recreational groundfish fishery and the total allowable catches for Gulf Cod.
The aim of the Northern Cod Science and Fisheries Stewardship Initiative is to obtain a better understanding of both the inshore and offshore components of the 2J3KL cod stock. The initiative includes new scientific research projects worth $1.2 million, as well as a one-year, small-scale, inshore fishery pilot project for Newfoundland and Labrador.
"We want to narrow the gap between industry and DFO about the status and management of the 2J3KL cod stock," said Minister Hearn. "A small scale fishery will allow fishers the opportunity to test their beliefs about the health of the stocks. The information gained will contribute to decisions around the future management of these stocks."
This fisheries stewardship initiative will be restricted to the under 45 feet fleet sector and to the inshore zone defined as the 12-mile Territorial Sea of Canada. It will involve up to 2,300 groundfish licence holders with assigned individual quotas (IQ) of 3,000 lbs in their respective bays. It is projected that the catch from this fishery will total approximately 2,300 tonnes (t).
The fishery will be subject to a post-season review and assessment process. This will evaluate the potential impact of the fishery on the offshore 2J3KL stock, the growth and distribution of the inshore component, and the adjacent cod stock in subdivision 3Ps.
"I want to acknowledge the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador for their continued partnership on cod recovery and their commitment to contribute to the Northern Cod Science and Stewardship Initiative," added Minister Hearn.
Minister Hearn also announced there will be a recreational fishery throughout Atlantic Canada where commercial fishers have access to groundfish, including cod.
"I am pleased to announce that recreational groundfish licences and tags will no longer be required until a consistent Atlantic-wide recreational licensing program is developed," said Hearn. "Discussions will soon be underway with provincial officials and other interested parties to develop such a program."
Details of the recreational fishery will be determined and announced regionally in the near future.
The 2006-07 total allowable catches (TAC) for cod in the Gulf of St. Lawrence were also announced today. The TAC for Northern Gulf cod (3Pn, 4RS) is set at 6,000t and the TAC for Southern Gulf cod (4TVn) is set at 4,000t. Existing sharing arrangements will be maintained.
As in past years, all catches will be subject to dockside monitoring and logbooks will be mandatory for all vessels. The information collected will be reviewed at the Regional Advisory Process.
Today's announcement, combined with previously announced funding, will bring DFO's total investment in cod recovery in Atlantic Canada to over $1.8 million. Other projects being funded will include finalizing and implementing TAC Decision Rules, examining predator/prey relationships and modifying the management framework to improve shared stewardship.
"The Cod Action Teams developed long-term rebuilding strategies which will play a major role in the management of all cod stocks in the coming years," said Minister Hearn. "I'm confident this is the right path forward".
-30-
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Steve Outhouse
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa, ON
(613) 992-3474
Phil Jenkins
Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa, ON
(613) 993-5413
