Advance Notice of Fisheries Closures (Presence of NARW)

Please take notice there will be areas of closure due to the presence of the NARW that will impact where the 4Vn 1100 group can fish 

Please ensure by checking the attached closed coordinates that you are not fishing there effective Oct 4/19 at 5pm.

October 1, 2019
NOTICE OF FISHERY CLOSURES:
PRESENCE OF NORTH ATLANTIC RIGHT WHALES
 
Halifax, NS (DFO)– The Maritimes Region is providing notice of new temporary fishing area closures due to the confirmed presence of North Atlantic Right Whales (NARW). 
 
As per the Fisheries Dynamic Management Protocol, the following will be closing on October 4th, 2019 at 5:00 p.m.Atlantic Daylight Time (ADT):
 
·       Full grids: HC57, HC58, HC59 and HD59; and 
·       Portion of grids: HD57, HD58, HE57, HE58 andHE59 to the coastline. 
 
 
DFO is providing a 72 hour advanced notice for this fishery closure.  All gear affected by this notice must be removed from the closed area before the time of closure.
 
The closures will remain in effect until further notice. In the event that areas are reopened, DFO will inform industryprior to their reopening.
 
The closures will be in effect for the following fisheries where the fishing seasons are currently opened: crab, herring (gillnet), mackerel (gillnet), groundfish (fixed gear), hagfish, and lobster.  
 
DFO asks licenceholders to be vigilant during fishing activities concerning the presence of North Atlantic Right Whales. Furthermore, please be reminded that it is the responsibility of the licenceholder to take into account the marine safety notices issued, amongst others, by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Transport Canada, as well as the standards and best practices in marine safety, and to take all measures to ensure safe fishing operations. 
 
The coordinates representing the contour of the Fisheries dynamic management protocol (the area north of the Cap-Breton) are listed below:
 

Points
Position*

North Latitude
West Longitude

1 
46° 57' 8.6" N 
60° 10' 0.0" W 

2 
46° 51' 9.7" N 
60° 18' 22.5" W 

3 
46° 58' 51.1" N 
60° 40' 0.0" W 

4 
47° 20' 0.0" N 
60° 40' 0.0" W 

5 
47° 20' 0.0" N 
60° 10' 0.0" W 

6 
46° 57' 8.6" N 
60° 10' 0.0" W 

Areaenclosed by the coastlines and rhumb lines (similar to straight lines plotted on a nautical chart) joining the points listed above in the order they are listed. Point references are based on the geodesic system North American Datum 1983 (NAD83). Positions are expressed in degrees, minutes and seconds.
 
Mapidentifying the grid closures in the Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence due to the presence of NARW.


See attachedmap and info..

A.

Amy MacKinnon 
Office of the 4Vn Halibut Management Board
Phone 902-371-5358
Fax 413-362-7442


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