Notices to Fish Harvesters

Conservation harvesting plan - BLUEFIN TUNA – GULF – EX-SECTOR – QUEBEC FLEET 2022-2023 SEASON (11-07-2022)

Date of Notice

Approved July 11, 2022

Amended on August 15, 2022

1. Application

This Conservation Harvesting Plan applies to Bluefin tuna licence holders from the Quebec fleet using vessels of less than 19.81 m.

2. Fishing areas

Based on valid Licence’s Conditions and subject to Variation Order, the authorized fishing areas for Bluefin tuna are: 4RST for Gulf fishing (home waters) and 4Wd, 4VsW, 4X and 5 for Ex-Sector fishing.

The fishing areas coordinates are listed in the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985.

3. Fishing closure

3.1Banc-des-Américains Marine Protected Area

On March 6, 2019, Fisheries and Oceans Canada created, jointly with the Quebec government, the Banc-des-Américains Marine Protected Area (MPA) in order to ensure the conservation and protection of this marine ecosystem.

Provisions of the Banc-des-Américains Marine Protected Area Regulations apply to licence holders. In order to comply with them, please refer to the clauses that apply to your fishing activities: Banc-des-Américains Marine Protected Area Regulations: SOR/2019-50

4. Fishing season

As a result of discussions at the large pelagic advisory committee, the beginning and ending dates of management year were changed in 2019. Annual allocations can be fished over a 12-month period and management year for the Bluefin tuna which now begins on June 24 for all fleets (directed or by-catch) and ends on June 23 of the following year. This change allows greater flexibility regarding when fishers choose to catch their allocations.

Traditionally, fishing activities by the Quebec fleet begin in August and end in November. The precise dates are communicated before fishing activities begin by means of a Notice to Fishermen on the Fisheries and Oceans Canada website, the address of which is at the end of this document.

It should be reminded that it is the responsibility of the captain to acquaint himself with the marine safety notices published by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Transport Canada as well as with the standards and best practices in marine safety and to take all measures necessary to insure a safe fishery during the period where fishing is authorized.

5. Number of licence

The Quebec fleet has 53 bluefin tuna licence holders.

6. Quota

The Quebec fleet quota for the 2022-2023 directed fishery is 27.739 t, which includes 25.190 t from the initial quota and 2.549 t from the carry-forward of the uncaught quota of 2021.

The fleet is authorized to carry forward a maximum of 10% of its initial quota of the current year excluding all quota carried forward from a previous year or received via transfer from another fleet.

Any overrun will be deducted from the fleet’s quota the following year.

Canadian fleets are not authorized to catch more than 35 t ex-sector, including inter-fleet transfers, when applicable.

7. Management regime

This fishery follows a competitive fishery management regime with distribution of the quota among participants through the number of issued tags.

Since 2017, the total number of tags issued has been determined based on the allocation available at the beginning of the fishing season and the average weight of Bluefin tuna landed in the previous two years. As agreed at the Regional Advisory Committee meeting held on February 27, 2017 no additional tags will be issued during the fishing season.

Some licence holders could obtain an additional tag before the opening of the fishing season after licence holders have obtained their first tag. Eligible licence holders will be determined based on the total number of tags available for the current season and their ranking on the eligibility list (Appendix 1).

8. Fishing gear

Only angling gear, tended lines or electric harpoon are permitted.

A maximum of 4 lines is authorized of which no more than 2 lines may be tended simultaneously.

Only one hook must be attached to each line.

Since 2019 greenstick fishing is allowed. This technique is defined as a fishing technique for tuna by trolling lures or baits along the surface of the water from a pole located on the fishing vessel. One end of the mainline is attached to the greenstick pole and the other end is attached to a bird and a float. Up to four individual trolling rods and reel lines may be attached to the greenstick mainline by breakaways, (such as rubber bands). Fighting the tuna is to be conducted by rod and reel. A hauler may be used for retrieval of the bird and float.

9. Management measures to minimize the risks of interactions with the North Atlantic Right Whale

Since 2017, Fisheries and Oceans Canada has put in place additional management measures to protect the endangered North Atlantic Right Whale from entanglement in fishing gear and ship strikes. These measures take into account the best available scientific data and can be adapted if necessary to take into account future developments regarding the prevention of interactions.

9.1. What to do if you observe a North Atlantic right whale

First of all, it is important to maintain a minimum distance of 100 meters from the animal and 200 meters if the whale is accompanied by a calve. Details regarding sightings of live and free-swimming right whales may be provided to DFO at: XMARWhalesightings@dfo-mpo.gc.ca or by phone at 1-844-800-8568. If you observe this species, please send us your contact information and information about the sighting (date, time, geographical position, number of individuals, etc.). If possible, you can also send us photos or videos.

If you see a right whale entangled in fishing gear, you should not under any circumstances attempt to release it on your own. The behaviour of an entangled individual is unpredictable and dangerous. You should contact "Marine Mammal Emergencies" at 1-877-722-5346 as soon as possible to share information that will help to organize an appropriate response by experts (time and position of the entangled animal, behavior of the individual, details on the weather and the state of the sea, etc.).

10. Marine mammal interaction reporting

In order to comply with the implementation of the US Marine Mammals Protection Act (MMPA) regulations, licence holders must provide information regarding all interactions with a marine mammal that occur during fishing expeditions including: bycatch, collisions and all sightings of entangled marine mammals. To do this, the Marine Mammal Interaction Form must be completed and submitted by email to DFO.NAT.InteractionsMM-InteractionsMM.NAT.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca within 48 hours after the end of a fishing trip.

A copy of the form is attached to the Conditions of licence and can also be downloaded and submitted online at the following address:  Report a marine mammal or sea turtle incident or sighting

The information provided on this form will be used by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) to estimate levels of accidental mortality and injury to marine mammals. This information will allow DFO to better assess the types of threats that may affect Canada's marine mammals and to develop mitigation strategies.

In addition, if you observe a dead or distressed animal, please contact Marine Mammal Emergencies as soon as possible at 1-877-722-5346. If possible, do not hesitate to take photos or videos that will allow DFO to assess the situation and identify the species.

11. Hail-out 

Licence holders who are conducting a fishing trip must hail-out by contacting the Fisheries and Oceans Canada hail-out system at 1-800-561-2467 or 1-902-464-8103 (satellite phone only). The hail-out must be made at least 3 hours prior to the departure of each fishing trip, in accordance with the requirements specified in the Licence Conditions.

12. At-sea Observer

Gulf: Not applicable.

Ex-sector: The At-Sea Observer coverage corresponds to the percentage applicable in the fishing area where the fishing occurs.   

13. Dockside monitoring

Before the beginning of a fishing trip, licence holders must have entered into an agreement with a dockside monitoring company legally designated by Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

Hail-in is required before arrival at the dock.

Dockside monitoring is mandatory for 100% of landings.

Landings in the Québec region must take place at one of the designated ports identified in the Designated Dockside Monitoring Ports list available on the Fisheries and Oceans Canada web site at: Designated Dockside Monitoring Ports (dfo-mpo.gc.ca)

14. Logbook / Combined Form / Bluefin tuna catch document

A Logbook JB-TR-01 or a Combined Form FC-TR-02 must be completed by the licence holder for each fishing trip where fishing effort was conducted (regardless of whether one lands any Bluefin tuna) and submitted to the dockside observer or to any other person designated by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, without exception and in sequential order or forwarded to his Fisheries and Oceans area office without exception and in sequential order.

In addition to the Logbook or the Combined Form, a Bluefin Tuna Catch Document with the current year coding (BFTCD-CAN1X XXXX) must be filled out by the licence holder upon arrival to port for each Bluefin tuna is landed. The dockside observer will check the catch document when the landed Bluefin tuna is weighed.

If the licence holder decides to keep his catch or to sell it directly onto the retail market (i.e. restaurant), he must enter the required information himself in the “Electronic Bluefin Tuna Catch Documentation” (eBCD) monitoring system of Bluefin tuna catches. This information can also be recorded by contacting the Catch Certification Program.

15. Electronic Monitoring System (EMS)

Since 2017, an Electronic Monitoring System (EMS) capable of recording continuous video or photos of all fishing activities may be installed on board a fishing vessel, upon the request of a fishery officer.

Licence holders must provide qualified installers identified by a Fishery Officer, access to the fishing vessel for the installation, removal and maintenance of the EMS, as well as for the installation or retrieval of the memory card/hard drive from the EMS.

Before and while fishing, licence holders must ensure that the cameras lens are kept clean so that the quality of the video or pictures is optimized.

16. Incidental catches

Licence holders are authorized to retain incidental catches of Blue sharks in accordance with the Conditions of licence requirements. All other shark species must be released in a manner that causes it the least harm. For all fish that are released, the species and condition must be recorded.

17. Vessel

Vessels with an overall length less than 19.81 m may be used.

Lease of a vessel registered outside of the Quebec Region is not authorized. Licence holders from the Quebec Region are authorized to use a vessel registered with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Quebec Region, and linked to a commercial fishing licence.

18. Partnership (buddy-up)

Partnership agreements for up to three (3) licences on the same vessel are authorized for fishing in the Gulf. All participants in a partnership agreement must hold at least one valid tag at the time the agreement is made.

Prior to departure for a fishing trip, only one hail-out should be made for all licence holders participating in a partnership agreement. Furthermore, licence holders participating in this partnership agreement must only make one hail in to a dockside monitoring company legally designated by Fisheries and Oceans Canada during the same fishing trip. The hail in must indicate that the licence holders/fishing vessel operators are fishing under a partnership agreement.

19. Other management measures

19.1. Issuance of Licence Conditions and tags distribution

Licence holders who intend to fish Bluefin tuna in a given year, in the Gulf of St. Lawrence or ex-sector, must pay tag fees through the National Online Licensing System (NOLS). Once tags are paid, licence holders will be able to print their Licence Conditions.

Tags will be sent to the licence holders by registered post with signature. Licence holders must therefore anticipate the time it will take for tags to be mailed to them in order to plan their fishing operations.

19.2. Tag transfer

Tag transfer or sale is prohibited.

19.3. Eligibility list to obtain an additional tag

At the Bluefin Tuna Regional Advisory Committee held on January 27, 2015, members recommended that the eligibility list for additional tags established by a random draw on July 26, 2013 (Appendix 1) is made permanent.

The priority order of the eligibility list will remain the same in the case of a licence transfer. The new licence holder will retain the rank assigned to the previous licence holder during the draw.

19.4. Bleeding and Tail cut

When fishing, only an incision made between the second dorsal fin and the tail is permitted in order to bleed the fish. However, the removal of flesh from a Bluefin tuna in order to determine the fat content or cutting the tail is not permitted until the fish has been offloaded and weighed by a dockside monitoring company.

19.5. Inter fleet transfer

The inter-fleet transfer procedure remains the same as in previous years. Only the identified fleet representatives may request a transfer. These transfers will be approved by the Atlantic Large Pelagics Advisory Committee Chair within 4 business days. The representative of the Quebec fleet is Mr. Gilles Duguay.

19.6. Dart-Tag

All Bluefin tuna shall be tagged immediately after the fish is caught. A tuna is considered caught when the fish is brought next to the fishing vessel and includes swimming it to cool it down. Either a DFO issued Bluefin tuna tag OR a dart-tag with a unique number can be used. If a dart-tag is utilized on a temporary basis, a numbered and valid Bluefin tuna tag issued by Fisheries and Oceans Canada must be attached to the tuna before having it landed and weighed by a dockside monitoring company. Licence holders can order dart tags by contacting the Floy tag company.

19.7. Tuna with a scientific tag

Tuna with one or more external electronic scientific tags (PSAT tag or acoustic) must be released as soon as possible with as little injury as possible. Presence of the tag/s must be documented (picture) and the event hailed in before fishing can resume. No bluefin tuna with an external electronic scientific tag shall be kept stationary beside the vessel or removed from the water. While the tuna is alongside the boat, the boat's clutch must be engaged forward and a portion of the bluefin tuna's gills and mouth must be kept underwater at all times. During this recovery period, the behavior and appearance of the tuna will be the best indicators of when the fish should be released alongside or behind the boat using appropriate methods so that post-release mortality is minimal.

Fish with other forms of scientific tags (Spaghetti/Floy tag) may not be released and the tag ID must be recorded on the log. There is a reward for their return.

20. Mexican transfer

The transferred amount from Mexico will be allocated under a Use of Fish collaborative agreement to the Quebec inshore fleet. The management of this allocation is delegated to the Regroupement des Pêcheurs professionnels du Sud de la Gaspésie. However, all the management measures described in this Catch Harvesting Plan applies to fishing activities made under this allocation.

21. Species at Risk Act

Pursuant to the Species at Risk Act, no person shall kill, harm, harass, capture, take, possess, collect, buy, sell or trade an individual or any part or derivate of a wildlife species designated as extirpated, endangered or threatened.

At the time this Conservation Harvesting Plan is promulgated, the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence species susceptible to being captured are the following: the Spotted Wolffish, the Northern Wolffish, the Leatherback Turtle, the Striped Bass (St. Lawrence River population) and exceptionally the White Shark (Atlantic population). New species could be added during the course of the year.

All incidental captures of species identified above must immediately be returned to the water where they were captured and, if the animal is still alive, in the manner that causes it the least harm. All incidental captures of species at risk must be recorded in the « Species at Risk » section of the logbook. Furthermore, all interactions with species at risk, notably the North Atlantic Right Whale, the Blue Whale (Atlantic population), the Beluga Whale (St. Lawrence Estuary population) and the White Shark (Atlantic population), must be recorded in this section of the logbook.

These requirements are additional to any obligation to declare an interaction with a marine mammal using the prescribed form (see section Marine mammal interaction reporting).

22. Crew registry

Since April 1st, 2021, inshore commercial licence holders, and their approved Substitute Operators, must keep records of all the crew members working aboard the vessel on every fishing trip. These records must be maintained by the licence holder for a period of five (5) years. This requirement does not apply to pre-1979 corporation licence and to any licence issued under the authority of the Aboriginal Communal Fishing Licences Regulations. For further details, refer to the March 17th, 2021 Notice to Fish Harvesters or contact the Licensing Office at 1-877-535-7307 or fishing-peche@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

23. Discharge of waste

In 2022, all commercial fisheries in Canada have a new condition of licence relating to the discharge of garbage from Canadian fishing vessels. The licence holder is prohibited from discarding in Canadian fisheries waters from their vessel any item that may be harmful to fish or fish habitat. Please refer to the following New condition of licence relating to discharge of garbage season 2022 (2022-03-29) (dfo-mpo.gc.ca)

24. Licence Conditions

To obtain their Licence Conditions, licence holders must access the National Online Licensing System (NOLS). For NOLS assistance, please contact customer support by phone at 1-877-535-7307 or by email at fishing-peche@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

For questions regarding this CHP

Please contact your area office.

Magdalen Islands: 418-986-2095

Gaspé–Lower St. Lawrence: 1-877-898-5559

 

Approved by:

Maryse Lemire

Regional Director

Fisheries Management

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Quebec Region

Appendix 1

Eligibility list - Draw held July 26, 2013

"We undersigned, certify that the names of the bluefin tuna licence holders written on this draw list have been verrified and considered for the present draw.

The following draw list represents the people chosen in numerical order. This list will be valid for 2013 and 2014 according to the process established in the 2013-2014 CHP."

Eligibility list - Draw held July 26, 2013. List is signed by Witnesses, DFO, and Industry Representatives (by phone conference).

  1. Welsh, Ryan
  2. JULIA DES MERS INC (Moreau, Marie Josée)
  3. Dickson, Paul W
  4. Collin, Michel
  5. Clark, Sidney
  6. Sweeney, Jean-Marc
  7. Sullivan, Boyd
  8. PÊCHERIES JEAN-MARC ARSENEAU INC. (Arseneau, Jean Marc),
  9. Desbois, Nicol
  10. Clark, Adam
  11. CIE Hugh H.E. Journeaux
  12. Dickson, Wayne
  13. 9333-5925 Québec inc. (Lelievre, Jean Elie)
  14. Roussy, Stevens
  15. Les pêcheries Mitch Girard inc.  (Girard, Mitch)
  16. Desbois, Richard
  17. PECHERIES FRANCIS ELOQUIN INC.
  18. Gionest, Luc
  19. Tanguay Lévesque, Pierre-Nicolas
  20. 9340-5470 QUÉBEC INC. (Huard, David Henri)
  21. Arsenault, Serge
  22. Pêcheries Yves Couture inc. (Couture, Yves)
  23. Duguay, Carol
  24. Cormier, Denis J
  25. Sullivan, James M
  26. 9316-3806 Quebec inc (Theriault, Luc)
  27. Duguay, Gilles
  28. Johnson Christian, acquis de Taker, Michael
  29. Eloquin, Dominic
  30. Poirier, Gino
  31. Collin Denis, acquis de Pecheries Trevelo inc. (Dickson, Kendall)
  32. Lepage, Jimmy
  33. Pinel, Christian
  34. PECHERIES JOEY-JOLYANE INC., acquis de Guy Desbois
  35. Aucoin, Eudore
  36. Rankin, Devon Acquis de Rankin, Anthony
  37. Turbide, Luc
  38. Desbois, Yan
  39. Hautcoeur, Alban
  40. 9321-9863 Québec inc. (Thériault, Yvon)
  41. Syvrais, Michel
  42. Les pêcheries Gilles Chapados inc. (Chapados, Gilles)
  43. Eloquin, Alex (acquis de Eloquin, Réginald (succession))
  44. Eloquin , Denis
  45. Caron, Kevin
  46. Turbide, Marco
  47. Josey, Raymond
  48. Les pêcheries Keith A. Girard, acquis de Patton, Lyndon
  49. AGHAMM
  50. Collin, Raymond
  51. Les Pêcheries Keith Girard et Fils Inc. (acquis de Stephan McKinnon)
  52. Burke, Jeffrey
  53. Josey, Aaron

Appendix 2

Eligibility list – Mexican transfert Draw held August 30th, 2017

"We undersigned, certify that the names of the bluefin tuna licence holders written on this draw list have been verrified and considered for the present draw.

The following draw list represents the people chosen in numerical order. This list will be valid for the allocation of the Mexican quota for science."

Eligibility list – Mexican transfert Draw held August 30th, 2017. Page signed by witnesses.

  1. Desbois, Nicol
  2. Sweeney, Jean-Marc
  3. Caron, Kevin
  4. Arsenault, Serge
  5. Josey, Aaron
  6. Éloquin, Denis
  7. Pinel, Christian
  8. TANGUAY-LÉVESQUE, PIERRE-NICOLAS
  9. Sullivan, James M.
  10. Collin, Raymond
  11. Collin Denis, acquis de Pecheries Trevelo inc. (Dickson, Kendall)
  12. Eloquin, Alex (acquis de Eloquin, Réginald (succession))
  13. Turbide, Marco
  14. Clark, Adam
  15. Sullivan, Boyd
  16. Cie Hugh H.E. Journeaux
  17. 9321-9863 Québec inc. (Thériault, Yvon)
  18. Lepage, Jimmy
  19. Rankin, Devon Acquis de Rankin, Anthony
  20. JULIA DES MERS INC (Moreau, Marie-Josée)
  21. Gionest, Luc
  22. 9316-3806 Quebec inc (Theriault, Luc)
  23. PECHERIES FRANCIS ELOQUIN INC.
  24. Pêcheries Yves Couture inc. (Couture, Yves)
  25. Les Pêcheries Keith Girard et Fils Inc. (acquis de Stephan McKinnon)
  26. Cormier, Denis J.
  27. AGHAMM
  28. Les pêcheries Keith A. Girard, acquis de Patton, Lyndon
  29. Les pêcheries Gilles Chapados inc. (Chapados, Gilles)
  30. Dickson, Wayne
  31. Syvrais, Michel
  32. PÊCHERIES JEAN-MARC ARSENEAU INC. (Arseneau, Jean Marc),
  33. Collin, Michel
  34. Hautcoeur, Alban
  35. Les pêcheries Mitch Girard inc. (Girard, Mitch)
  36. Johnson Christian, acquis de Taker, Michael
  37. Dickson, Paul W.
  38. Roussy, Stevens
  39. Poirier, Gino
  40. Aucoin, Eudore
  41. Welsh, Ryan
  42. PECHERIES JOEY-JOLYANE INC., acquis de Guy Desbois
  43. Desbois, Daniel
  44. Turbide, Luc acquis de Réal Turbide
  45. Burke, Jeffrey
  46. Éloquin, Dominic
  47. 9340-5470 QUÉBEC INC. (Huard, David Henri)
  48. Desbois, Richard
  49. Duguay, Gilles
  50. 9333-5925 Québec inc. (Lelievre, Jean Elie)
  51. Clark, Sidney
  52. Duguay, Carol
  53. Josey, Raymond
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