People in the province will have an opportunity to get out on the water to catch a few codfish this year as Federal Fisheries Minister Loyola Hearn today announced details of the recreational groundfish fishery.
Hearn also announced an increase in the 2008 Northern Cod Stewardship Fishery Individual Quota (IQ) levels - an increase of 750 lb. to 3,250 lb. per licence holder.
"While there is still a long way to go, our scientific assessment indicates there has been a slight upward trend in abundance and improved survival for the Northern cod stock over recent years," Hearn said. "However, there are also serious concerns about upcoming recruitment prospects in both the inshore and offshore areas. We must continue to move forward with caution."
The minister noted the quota increase for fishermen this year under the stewardship program amounts to 30 per cent over 2007.
"I have carefully considered both the research of our scientists and the vital information we get from harvesters who have been on the water participating in this fishery for the past two years," he said.
Hearn said DFO and industry agree that clear management measures are required to encourage the continued rebuilding of this stock. These measures include shortened seasons, gear restrictions and small fish protocols. DFO will consult with fish harvesters on selecting either a two-week summer season or a four-week fall season to catch their IQ. There will be no harvesting in August when the water is warmest and quality is low.
The recreational groundfish fishery will be open all around the province (in NAFO Divisions 2J3KL, 4R3Pn and 3Ps) for three weeks in the summer from July 23 to Aug. 12 and for one week in the fall from Sept. 27 to Oct. 5. As in previous years, there will be a daily bag limit of five fish, and a boat limit of 15 fish when three or more people are fishing. Increased monitoring and a post-season survey will be undertaken to improve the accuracy of catch information.
The fishery will include a 10 tonne Food Social and Ceremonial (FSC) allocation for the Labrador Metis Nation and Innu.
There will be no tag or licence requirements this year and DFO is working to design an Atlantic-wide marine recreational licencing program that will provide additional information on harvest and participation rates.
"Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have made it clear how important a recreational fishery is to them. Compliance in this fishery over the last two years has been good and I am pleased to announce a recreational groundfish fishery for all inshore waters around Newfoundland and Labrador again in 2008," Hearn said. "I look forward to having people from clear across the province take advantage of this opportunity to enjoy some time on the water."
Details of cod food fishery for Newfoundland and Labrador announced
- Published on June 16, 2008
- Published on July 1, 2010
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Staff ~ The Telegram
Increase in quota for fishermens cod stewardship program
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Comments
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- Clifford Powers
- - June 22, 2011 at 07:57:38
I live in Ottawa Ontario, I travel to my home town of Burgeo Newfoundland each year to visit family, and do a little fishing on the food fishery, and of course eat a bit of fish when I am home. For 2011 will there be a food fishery, I would like to book the ferry and accomodations. Would appreceate an answer at your very earliest please. Thank you Clifford powers my email powersthatbe@sympatico.ca
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- Enos
- - May 24, 2011 at 08:00:38
when do the 2011 food fishery start.
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- Roger
- - June 6, 2011 at 08:30:39
I was looking myself and c'ant seem to find any information...starting to think there is not going to be a fishery, hope I am wrong.....no one want's to answer beacsue it might cause an uproar..
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- earl
- - June 18, 2011 at 09:43:09
July 15th, is what i heard
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- Eli
- - July 2, 2010 at 13:31:50
Loyola Hearn was soooo condescending. He was quick to say his government wasn't responding to the people's cry to get off the shaggin' pot and set the dates. Liberal MP Scott Simms plea was the straw that broke the camel's back.
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- Topper
- - July 2, 2010 at 13:23:23
Why does Hearn always seem so smug when making any announcements. Why can't they set the dates earlier? Does science change that late? anyway, since Hearn won't be in next time around, maybe the next Minister will make the announcements earlier.
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- Richard
- - July 2, 2010 at 13:20:04
Scott Simms and Loyola Hearn, two peas of the same pod. Increasing cod quotas at this time is the worst kind of politics. Opportunistic pandering that our grandchildren will pay for. Will we ever learn?
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- Eli
- - July 1, 2010 at 20:20:27
Loyola Hearn was soooo condescending. He was quick to say his government wasn't responding to the people's cry to get off the shaggin' pot and set the dates. Liberal MP Scott Simms plea was the straw that broke the camel's back.
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- Topper
- - July 1, 2010 at 20:08:25
Why does Hearn always seem so smug when making any announcements. Why can't they set the dates earlier? Does science change that late? anyway, since Hearn won't be in next time around, maybe the next Minister will make the announcements earlier.
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- Richard
- - July 1, 2010 at 20:02:31
Scott Simms and Loyola Hearn, two peas of the same pod. Increasing cod quotas at this time is the worst kind of politics. Opportunistic pandering that our grandchildren will pay for. Will we ever learn?
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- corey day
- - July 4, 2011 at 07:04:49
does anyone know when the food fishery start
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For whatever reason--the gov keeps the info on the food fishery a big secret every year. I have tried for years to get the information in a timely manner for vacation plannin-you know--spending tourism dollars and all that but to no avail. The standard line is that the minister has not yet decided on the date--as if the minister actually made that decision. One would think that fisheries and tourism might want to get together on this and let folks know earlier than the standart one month or three weeks notice, both for tourism and local folks .just saying-----