Notices to Fish Harvesters
Announcement of the opening and management measures for the Atlantic halibut fishery by the Upper and Middle North Shore fleet
Sept-Îles – May 14, 2024
Fisheries and Oceans Canada - Quebec Region announces the opening and Management Measures for the Atlantic halibut fishery in NAFO Divisions 4RST for the Upper and Middle North Shore (UMNS) fixed gear fleet of less than 19.81 m under the Individual Transferable Quotas (ITQ) regime in 2024-2025.
The initial allocation allowed to the fleet in 2024-2025 prior the application of the quota carryover and reconciliation is 110,335 t.
Fishing season and number of hooks
For the 2024-2025 season, licence holders are authorized to conduct commercial fishing activities during the following two periods:
1st period: May 15, 2024 at 5 a.m. (EDT) to October 31, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. (EDT);
2nd period: April 1st , 2025 at 5 a.m. (EDT) to May 14, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. (EDT).
Each licence holder of the fleet must ensure that he holds sufficient allocations to cover the catches that are likely to be made during the fishery.
The carry-over of residual Atlantic halibut quotas from the previous year is allowed, up to a maximum of 15% of the basic quotas.
An additional hook level has been added to the management measures for 2024-2025. A license holder is authorized to use a maximum of 2,000 hooks when his individual allocation is 3,501 kg or more (including quantities transferred or received by transfer).
Temporary closure for Atlantic Halibut directed fishery
Licence holders are advised of the continued temporary closure of part of the 4T division, considering the excessive by-catch of cod previously observed. This area will remain closed until further notice, and is bounded by straight lines delineated by the following points:
- 49°02’00" N 64°10’00" W
- 48°31’00" N 62°37’00" W
- 48°23’00" N 63°08’00" W
- 48°46’00" N 64°10’00" W
- 49°02’00" N 64°10’00" W
Other management measures
Other management measures are grouped together in the 2024-2025 Conservation Harvesting Plan (CHP) for Atlantic halibut 4RST for the Upper and Middle North Shore (HMCN) fixed-gear fleet of less than 19.81 m under individual transferable quotas (ITQs).
Conditions of Licence
In order to obtain the Conditions of Licence, licence holders will have to apply for them through the National Licensing System online. For assistance with the National Online Licensing System, please contact Customer Support by phone at 1-877-535-7307 or by e-mail at fishing-peche@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
Conservation harvesting plan 2024-2025
Other management measures are listed in the 2024-2025 Conservation Harvesting Plan for Atlantic halibut Fishery in NAFO Divisions 4RST by the UMNS fixed gear fleet of less than 19.81 m under ITQ regime, available on the DFO website at the following address:
Publications to Fish Harvesters - Online Publications Tool (dfo-mpo.gc.ca).
For additional information
Please visit our website at the following address: Quebec Region | Fisheries and Oceans Canada (dfo-mpo.gc.ca).
Resource Management
North Shore Area
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
418-962-6314 / Toll-free 1-800-463-1729