Notices to Fish Harvesters

 

Approved October 29, 2023

Amended January 12, 2024

Amended March 4, 2024

1. Application

This Conservation Harvesting Plan (CHP) applies to the Quebec region sealing fleets and covers the grey and harp seals for the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

2. Fishing areas

Subject to any Variation Order and based on valid licences, the commercial fleet is authorized to fish (hunt) in some Gulf of St. Lawrence sealing areas. Upon request and subject to various conditions, the fleet may also have access to the Newfoundland and Labrador East Coast sealing areas (the Front). Such access would be subject to a specific Conservation and Harvesting Plan.

Personal use fishing (hunting) activities for eligible hunters in the Quebec region are authorized in sealing areas 13 to 20, access to which is determined according to the hunters` residential areas.

Licence holders are authorized to fish (hunt) seals on land, at a distance not exceeding 300 meters above the high water mark.

The fishing areas` coordinates are listed in the Conditions of licence and are also indicated on the fishing areas maps, which are available at the following address:

Commercial Fisheries

3. Fishing closures

The Marine Mammal Regulations identifies permanently closed areas:

• Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Regulations, no person shall fish (hunt) for seals in:
• the waters adjacent to the Gaspé coast in the Province of Quebec that are inside or shoreward of a loxodromic line drawn from Pointe-au-Renard to a point at Latitude 49°00′N., Longitude 64°05′W., thence to a point at Latitude 48°25′N., Longitude 64°05′W., and thence to the lighthouse at Cap d’Espoir.
• the waters of the Saguenay River, the St. Lawrence River and their tributaries that are west of Longitude 67°23′W. in the Province of Quebec during the period beginning on May 1 and ending on September 30.
• the waters of the Magdalen Islands that are enclosed by loxodromic lines joining the following points, in the order in which they are listed, during the period beginning on June 1 and ending on September 30:

 

Geographical Coordinates (degrees, minutes, seconds)

Latitude	Longitude
47°27'12" N	61°49'18" O
47°28'03" N	61°47'42" O
47°27'36" N	61°47'06" O
47°26'36" N	61°48'42" O

In addition to the permanently closed areas as specified in the Marine Mammal Regulations, fishing(hunting) is prohibited for:

• seals in the area of Bic Park, bordered by loxodromic lines connecting the following points (in the order presented):

Geographical Coordinates (degrees, minutes, seconds)

Latitude	Longitude
48°19'51" N	68°51'30" O
48°24'06" N	68°57'21" O
48°27'30" N	68°48'00" O
48°22'42" N	68°43'36" O

• seals in the part of the Saguenay River located upstream from a loxodromic line joining 48°07'24" N and 69°43' W (Pointe Noire) to 48°08'06" N and 69°42'06" W (Pointe Rouge).
• harp seal during the period beginning on March 26 and ending on April 30 in the portion of sealing areas 21 and 24 within 1.62 nautical miles (approximately 3 kilometers) from shore, along the coast of New Brunswick, from a point located at 48°01'18" N et 64°31'36" W northwest Miscou Point on Miscou Island to the boundary line between sealing areas 24 and 25, located on the shore, and, within 1.62 nautical miles (approximately 3 kilometers) from shore along the coast of Prince Edward Island, from north cape to the boundary line between sealing areas 24 and 25 located on the shore. Harp seal during the period beginning on January 1 and ending on April 30 in the portion of sealing fishing area 23 bordered by loxodromic lines connecting the following points (in the order presented):

 

Geographical Coordinates (degrees, minutes, seconds)

	Latitude	Longitude
1	47°03'30.2" N	63°59'57.7" O
2	47°08'25.2" N	64°02'07.7" O
3	47°05'39.2" N	63°53'11.3" O
4	46°57'16.4" N	63°52'18.8" O
5	46°52'31.6" N	63°51'14.0" O
6	46°48'31.0" N	63°54'39.2" O
7	46°42'12.8" N	63°45'44.8" O
8	46°38'49.2" N	63°37'41.9" O
9	46°34'26.9" N	63°17'36.5" O
10	46°29'57.6" N	63°00'05.3" O
11	46°32'58.1" N	46°32'58.1" N
12	46°33'05.3" N	62°22'43.3" O
13	46°34'03.4" N	62°11'05.9" O
14	46°27'51.2" N	61°51'03.5" O
15	46°26'56.9" N	61°58'24.2" O

• grey seals in the portion of sealing area 25 enclosed by the coastline and rhumb lines joining the following points (in the order presented):

 

Geographical Coordinates (degrees, minutes, seconds)

Latitude	Longitude
45°48'34.2" N	63°16'21.8" O
45°49'26.1" N	45°49'26.1" N
45°49'26.1" N	63°13'57.5" O
45°48'11.3" N	63°14'07.7" O

3.1. Banc-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

4. Fishing season

Specific hunting periods of each fleet will be confirmed through Notices to fish harvesters or Variation Orders. Opening dates may vary according to particular circumstances such as industry requests and the TAC announcement, while closing dates may be advanced according to factors such as the reach of quotas or when risks of exceeding them are high. In particular, the following parameters can help in the decision to determine the opening date:

• Grey seals: estimate the opening date based on when 50% of grey seals have been weaned according to the colony.
• Harp seals: estimate opening date based on when 80% of harp seals have been weaned according to the colony.

The fishing (hunting) seasons presented below for each area are for information purposes only. Exact opening and closing dates will be confirmed through Notices to Fish Harvesters and Variation Orders:

4.1. Magdalen Islands:

• Grey seal :                   

- Area 20 is open from January 20 to June 30 and from September 15 to December 20 for commercial licences (professional and assistant hunter) and personal use licences.

- In other areas, opening dates are to be determined for commercial licences.

 

• Harp seal:

- Open from November 15 to February 14 and from March 14 to June 14 for commercial licences.

- Open in area 20 from November 15 to February 14 and from March 14 to June 14 for personal use licences.

4.2. North Shore:

• Grey Seal:

- Areas 13 to 16, are open from March 1 to December 31.

- A part of area 17, bordered by loxodromic lines connecting the following points (in the order presented), is open from March 1 to December 31 for personal use licences:

 

Geographical Coordinates (degrees, minutes, seconds)

Latitude	Longitude
Shore	69°42'03" O
48°02'30" N	69°35'30" O
46°56'06" N	70°44'11" O
47°02'57" N	70°48'40" O

•  Harp Seal:

- Areas 13 and 14 are open from April 1 to May 14 for commercial and aboriginal communal licences. For personal use or commercial licences authorized to possess a maximum of six harp seals per year, open from April 1 to June 14 and from November 15 to February 14.

- In areas 15 and 16, open from December 13 to April 11 for commercial and aboriginal communal licences. For personal use or commercial licences authorized to possess a maximum of six harp seals per year, open from November 15 to June 14.

- A part of area 17, bordered by loxodromic lines connecting the following points (in the order presented), is open from November 15 to June 14 for personal use licences:

 

Geographical Coordinates (degrees, minutes, seconds)

Latitude	Longitude
Shore	69°42'03" O
48°02'30" N	69°35'30" O
46°56'06" N	70°44'11" O
47°02'57" N	70°48'40" O

4.3. Gaspé-Lower St. Lawrence :

Areas 17, 18 and 19 are open from around November 1 to December 31 for grey and harp seals.

 

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 ensure a safe fishery during the period where fishing is authorized.

In addition, no person shall fish (hunt) for seals earlier than one-half hour before sunrise or later than one-half hour after sunset.

5. Licences

The eligibility criteria for the different types of licences for seal hunt are described in the Seal licensing policy for Eastern Canada.

5.1. Mandatory training on the three-step killing process

In 2009, the Government of Canada strengthened the Marine Mammal Regulations to formalize already well-established humane harvesting practices. Regulatory amendments articulate a prescribed three-step process that is in keeping with international scientific standards and provides for a safe and humane harvest. Please refer to your licence and the Marine Mammal Regulations for details on the three-step process and other related management measures. In order to fish (hunt) seals, it is mandatory to complete the training on the three-step killing process.

In 2021, the DFO-Quebec region implemented its Regional trainer recognition policy for training in the humane harvesting of seals (the three-step process). Individuals who wish to be recognized as trainers by DFO must meet the policy criteria and submit a request to their DFO area office.

5.2. Licence classes

The licence classes used to open and close the hunt in the different hunting areas and in force in the Quebec region are described in Appendix 1.

The licence holder is responsible for identifying the licence category under which they are fishing (hunting) to ensure they cease all activity when DFO announces closure for that licence category.

When a licence holder participates in the seal fishery (hunt) from a vessel whose captain does not reside immediately adjacent to the seal fishing (hunting) area adjacent to the licence holder's residence, it is the licence holder's responsibility to contact a Fisheries and Oceans Canada office to verify the appropriate seal licence category and to obtain a valid licence for that licence category.

6. Quotas

Grey seal: DFO will monitor the landings, and the fishery (hunting) could be closed with short notice.

Harp seal:

• Magdalen Islands: The Magdalen Islands sealing fleet is granted 20% of the allocation available for the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Subject to the submission of a plan to be approved by DFO, a developmental allocation may also be available.
• North Shore: The North Shore sealing fleet is granted 8% of the allocation available for the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
• Gaspé-Lower St. Lawrence: Commercial seal harvest (hunt) licence holders (categories Q300 to Q322) may harvest (hunt) a maximum of six harp seals per fishing (hunting) season.
• Licence holders for personal use hunt are authorized to catch a maximum of 6 seals (grey and harp seals combined) per year.

7. Management regime

Grey seal: Competitive fishing (hunting). The allocation is available to all licence holders from Eastern Canada.

Harp seal: Competitive fishing (hunting). The allocation granted to each fleet is available to all licence holders within that fleet..

 

8. Fishing gear

The gears authorized are the hakapik, club and firearm. Gear specifications and the three-step killing process are described in the Marine Mammal Regulations as well as in the sealers’ licences.

 

9. 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: Whale observation 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 behavior 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

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 Marine Mammal Interaction Submission 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 and hail-in call or email

Magdalen Islands :

• In Seal Fishing Area 20, the master of any vessel with an engine must contact Fisheries and Oceans Canada by telephone at 418-986-2150 before 9:00 p.m. on the day before the start of each fishing trip (hunt).
• Outside of Seal Fishing Area 20, the master of any vessel greater than 10.7 metres (35 feet) in overall length must contact Fisheries and Oceans Canada by telephone at 418-986-2150 between 24 and 72 hours before each fishing (hunting) trip.
• All catches must be reported to Fisheries and Oceans Canada by phone at 418-986-2150 on the same day. Details are included in licences.

North Shore : 

Hail-out and hail-in calls or emails are not requested. This measure could be modified according to circumstances.

 

Gaspé - Lower Saint-Lawrence :

• A commercial seal harvesting (hunting) licence (categories Q300 to Q322) that uses a boat measuring more than 10.7 metres (35 feet) in overall length must contact Fisheries and Oceans Canada by email at: Hail-out before 9:00 pm the evening before each fishing (hunting) trip.
• Once the seal harvesting (hunting) activities are finished, all licence holders must hail in by email the same day before midnight at the following address, even if no seals were captured: Hail-in

 

12. Catch declaration

All catches must be declared to Fisheries and Oceans Canada in accordance with the method and details specified in the sealers’ licences.

13. Boat

13.1. Main boat

 

A motorized vessel used for fishing (hunting) must be recorded on a professional sealer's licence. The professional sealer must be on board the vessel during the hunt. Only a vessel less than 19.8 m (65 feet) in length may be used for sealing.

In the case of a vessel not registered as a Commercial Fishing Vessel (VRN), the Seal Vessel Identification Number (SVIN) must be painted or securely affixed to the vessel by other means in conformity with the licences specifications.

Additional specifications:

• For the North Shore area licence holders, leasing boats outside the Quebec Region is not authorized.
• Gaspé–Lower St. Lawrence area commercial licence holders for fishing (hunting) can  use a fishing vessel registered with DFO for commercial harvesting in that area.

 

13.2. Auxiliary boat

A commercial seal fishing (hunting) licence holder is authorized to use, at most, two auxiliary boats:

• An auxiliary boat is one that is loaded onto the vessel prior to leaving the dock for use, if required, to assist in hunting operations.
• In the case of auxiliary vessels, the vessel registration number (VRN) or seal vessel identification number (SVIN) of the main vessel must be painted or otherwise securely affixed to the hull.

Section 26(2) of the Fisheries (General) Regulations provides the criteria for vessel identification.

14. Other management measures

14.1. Harvest plan

Before any grey seal fishing (hunting) activity with a vessel greater than 10.7 meters (35 feet), a harvest plan must be submitted to DFO at least 5 days before the fishing (hunting) activity for approval. The information that must be provided to DFO is identified in the Commercial Licence Conditions.

14.2. Supervision of commercial hunting assistants

A professional sealer may supervise a maximum of two commercial sealers' helpers during a seal hunt.

15. 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 published, the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence species susceptible to being captured are the following: the Spotted Wolffish, the Northern Wolffish, the Leatherback Turtle and the Striped Bass (St. Lawrence River population). New species could be added during the course of the year.

All incidental captures of species at risk must be immediately 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).

16. Discharge of waste

Since 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)

 

17. Licences

To obtain their licence, fish harvesters must access the National Online Licensing System. For National Online Licensing System assistance, please contact customer support by phone at 1 877‑535-7307 or by email at Support for National Online Licencing System

 

Approved by :

Maryse Lemire

Fisheries Management Regional Director

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Quebec

 

For any question regarding this CHP

You may call at:

Magdelen Islands area: 418-986-2095

North Shore area: 1-800-463-1729

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

For additional information

Please visit our website at the following address: Fisheries and Oceans Canada

 

ANNEXE 1

Licence Classes-Magdalen Islands Area

Licence classes	Description
Q100	Seal licence – commercial use held by a person residing immediately adjacent to Sealing Area 20 and authorized to catch the quantities of harp and/or grey seals set for the competitive fishery of this fleet.
Q110	Seal licence – commercial use held by a person who does not reside immediately adjacent to Sealing Area 20 but who participates in the seal fishery from a vessel whose captain resides immediately adjacent to this area and who is authorized to catch the quantities of harp and/or grey seals set for the competitive fishery of this fleet.
Q120	Seal licence – commercial use held by a person residing immediately adjacent to Sealing Area 20 and who is authorized to catch, retain or be in possession of a maximum of six harp seals in total per year.
Q130	Seal licence – personal use held by a person residing immediately adjacent to Sealing area 20.
Q140	Seal licence – commercial use held by a person authorized to fish the quantities of harp seals in accordance with the Magdalen Islands area developmental allocation.

Licence classes -North Shore Area

Licence classes	Description
Q200	Seal licence – commercial use held by a person residing in a community located between Tadoussac and Sept-Iles including these two communities.
Q201	Seal licence – commercial use held by a person residing in a community located between Moisie and Natashquan, including these two communities and Anticosti Island.
Q202	Seal licence – commercial use held by a person residing in a community located between Kegaska and Blanc-Sablon including these two communities.
Q210	Seal licence – commercial use held by a person residing in a community located between Tadoussac and Sept-Iles including these two communities, and who is authorized to catch, retain or be in possession of a maximum of six Harp seals per year and the quantities of Grey seals set for the competitive fishery of this fleet.
Q211	Seal licence – commercial use held by a person residing in a community located between Moisie and Natashquan, including these two communities and Anticosti Island and who is authorized to catch, retain or be in possession of a maximum of six Harp seals per year and the quantities of Grey seals set for the competitive fishery of this fleet.
Q212	Seal licence – commercial use held by a person residing in a community located between Kegaska and Blanc-Sablon including these two communities and who is authorized to catch, retain or be in possession of a maximum of six Harp seals per year and the quantities of Grey seals set for the competitive fishery of this fleet.
Q220	Seal licence – commercial use held by a person who does not reside in a community located between Tadoussac and Sept-Iles including these two communities but participates in the seal fishery from a vessel whose captain resides immediately adjacent to one of these communities.
Q221	Seal licence – commercial use held by a person who does not reside in a community located between Moisie and Natashquan including these two communities and Anticosti Island, but who participates in the seal fishery from a vessel whose captain resides immediately adjacent to one of these communities.
Q222	Seal licence – commercial use held by a person who does not reside in a community located between Kegaska and Blanc-Sablon including these two communities but who participates in the seal fishery from a vessel whose captain resides immediately adjacent to one of these communities.
Q230	Seal licence – personal use held by a person residing in a community located between Tadoussac and Sept-Iles including these two communities.
Q231	Seal licence – personal use held by a person residing in a community located between Moisie and Natashquan including these two communities and Anticosti Island.
Q232	Seal licence – personal use held by a person residing in a community located between Kegaska and Blanc-Sablon including these two communities.
Q233	Seal licence – personal use held by a person residing in a community located between Petite-Rivière-Saint-François and Saguenay including these two communities.
Q250	Seal licence – aboriginal communal issued in accordance with the Aboriginal Communal fishing licenses regulations and held by an aboriginal organization residing between Tadoussac and Blanc-Sablon including these two communities.

Licence Classes-Gaspé-Lower St.Lawrence Area

Licence classes	Description
Q300	Seal licence – commercial use held by a person residing immediately adjacent to Sealing Area 17 and authorized to catch the quantities of harp and/or grey seals set for the competitive fishery of this fleet.
Q301	Seal licence – commercial use held by a person residing immediately adjacent to Sealing Area 18 and authorized to catch the quantities of harp and/or grey seals set for the competitive fishery of this fleet.
Q302	Seal licence – commercial use held by a person who is residing immediately adjacent to Sealing area 19 and authorized to catch the quantities of harp and/or grey seals set for the competitive fishery of this fleet.
Q320	Seal licence – commercial use held by a person who does not reside immediately adjacent to Sealing Area 17 but who participates in the seal fishery from a vessel whose captain resides immediately adjacent to this area and who is authorized to catch the quantities of harp and/or grey seals set for the competitive fishery of this fleet.
Q321	Seal licence – commercial use held by a person who does not reside immediately adjacent to Sealing Area 18 but who participates in the seal fishery from a vessel whose captain resides immediately adjacent to this area and who is authorized to catch the quantities of harp and/or grey seals set for the competitive fishery of this fleet.
Q322	Seal licence – commercial use held by a person who does not reside immediately adjacent to Sealing Area 19 but who participates in the seal fishery from a vessel whose captain resides immediately adjacent to this area and who is authorized to catch the quantities of harp and/or grey seals set for the competitive fishery of this fleet.
Q330	Fishing licence for seal – personal use held by a person residing immediately adjacent to Sealing Area 17.
Q331	Fishing licence for seal – personal use held by a person residing immediately adjacent to Sealing Area 18.
Q332	Fishing licence for seal – personal use held by a person residing immediately adjacent to Sealing Area 19.