4t Fishery opening April 25/18

A message from the Gulf DFO was received this morning and as a result the 4T fishery for those that are registered and eligible:


Opening Date: Wednesday April 25/18 at 6 AM

Closure date:  Wednesday May 2/18 at 6 pm

Quota: 1500lbs dressed heads off or 1890lbs round.

I have received an email this morning from DFO Gulf Region that there may be variance orders coming in this afternoon that may update your conditions if so I will let you all know asap.
Please keep by-catch to the minimum.  (In 4T, the maximum total bycatch of cod in 2018/2019 is 30% per trip or 45kg, whichever is greater. The maximum bycatch of white hake in 4T is 10% per trip). You must call or text Amy at 9023715358 to tell her you have hailed out to DFO leave a message if it goes to voicemail with your information.  You must either send a picture to the email [email protected],  text 9023715358 or fax a copy of your logbook within 48 hours of landing. Take a good look at your conditions and make sure you're in compliance with the regulations set forth in them for example Halibut size ( Halibut less then 85cm caught in 4T must be returned to the water in a manner that causes the least amount of harm to the halibut), hook size ( only number 14 hooks are permitted ), reporting of bi-catch and species at risk to name just a few.
Now on to another issue regarding the 4T fishery attached and below is a email received from DFO yesterday regarding variances of conditions read through the same make sure you are aware of the same.

Hi Amy,
As a follow up to our conversation this morning, I've outlined below new requirements when fishing in 4T. Note that some are already in licence conditions for your group or in variation orders and are therefore mandatory while others are not but are important for your group to be aware of.  I've made the distinction between these below. I've cc'ed Cecile Lavoie in case I've missed anything. Let me know if you have any questions.

Cheers, Penny

Mandatory (in licence conditions and required for 4T)
When fishing for Atlantic Halibut in 4T, a maximum of 3.7 metres of rope shall be used when attaching a primary buoy to a secondary buoy. No rope attaching a longline to a primary buoy shall remain floating on the surface of the water after the longline has been set. For the purpose of these licence conditions, a primary buoy is defined as:  a buoy or other floating device attached to a longline.  For the purpose of these licence conditions, a secondary buoy is defined as: a buoy or other floating device attached to a primary buoy.

Mandatory (in licence conditions and required for 4TVWX5)
Lost gear reporting

·        While fishing under this licence, the licence holder/operator must report lost gear that is authorized to be fished in this licence to Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The information that is applicable to the specific gear type must be sent to the following email address [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> within 24 hours of the trip being completed.  The required information to be sent includes but is not limited to:
A) the vessel registration number and identification number written on the buoy (if applicable);
B) the latitude and longitude of last known position of lost gear; and
C) the last date the gear was fished.

Marine Mammal Interaction Reporting

·       Section 35 A) The licence holder/operator must provide information regarding all lethal and non-lethal marine mammals interactions during fishing trips;

B)    For the purpose of subsection 35(A),  lethal and non-lethal interactions include bycatch, collision and all sightings of marine mammals entangled in fishing gear;
            C) The licence holder/operator must complete the DFO Marine Mammal Interaction Form (available at http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/mammals-mammiferes/index-eng.htm) and it must be submitted as per the instructions provided on the form.

Mandatory (in variation order)
There are several coral and sponge conservation areas closed to bottom contacting fishing gear (including halibut by longline) in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, including 4T. All of the closures are described in Schedule I of the attached Variation Order (2017-Q-104).
This website may also be helpful as it includes images and coordinates of the various closures. http://www.qc.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/golfe-gulf/coraux-eng.html

Not in licence conditions for Scotia Fundy fishers but important to be aware of when fishing in 4T as these are management measures being implemented in Gulf Region

·        The licence holder/operator must report any sightings of live and healthy whales to 1-844-800-8568 or [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>.

·        Where notice has been given by one or more of the methods listed below to cease fishing in accordance with the Protocol for the dynamic management of the fisheries, due to the presence of North Atlantic Right Whales, the licence holder/operator is required to remove all fishing gear and stop fishing effective the time stated in the notice.

o   (a) Broadcasting the notice over a commercial or marine radio station, a radio station operated by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) or a radio station located on a vessel under contract to DFO that broadcasts in the area or vicinity of the area affected by the closure notice; or

o   (b) Transmitting the notice by electronic means to those persons; or

o   (c) Having a fishery officer or fishery guardian give oral notice thereof.

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to call. Have a safe trip everyone.

​Amy 902-371-5358