The most recent science results indicate the fishable biomass in Shrimp Fishing Area (SFA) 4 declined by 6.3 percent, increased by 42.2 percent in SFA 5, and increased by 7.9 percent in SFA 6 from last year. While SFA 4 and 5 remain in the healthy zone, SFA 6 remains in the lower half of the cautious zone of the precautionary approach framework, where it has been for the last five out of six years.
The Northern Shrimp Advisory Committee (NSAC) meeting was held on March 4 with industry members and stakeholders in the Northern shrimp fishery. The advisory committee process is an important opportunity for stakeholders to offer their perspectives, experiences and views for consideration in the decision-making process. Discussions at the meeting revolved around various issues including the science, potential Total Allowable Catches, allocations, and other matters. Input provided by stakeholders, along with the most recent science and other relevant factors, were provided to the Minister to inform the 2015/2016 Northern shrimp management decisions.
While the stock in SFA 4 remains in the healthy zone of the precautionary approach framework, science results show that the fishable biomass in SFA 4 has declined by 6.3 percent. Taking into consideration the fluctuations in fishable biomass over the past decade and the declines observed over the last two years, the TAC for SFA 4 will remain the same as last year’s.
The Last In, First Out policy, known as LIFO, was introduced in 1997 after significant consultation and has been included in every Northern shrimp fisheries management plan for more than ten years. It has been consistently communicated to stakeholders that should there be a decline in the abundance of the resource, new participants/allocations would be reduced or removed from the fishery in reverse order of gaining access–last in, first out. LIFO was also reviewed by a third-party independent reviewer in 2012 who confirmed that the Department was appropriately applying the policy when required in a fair and transparent manner.
News release: Minister Shea Announces TAC Increase and Rollovers for Northern Shrimp Fishery
B-HQ-15-22E(a)
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