Management measures announced for the 2009 recreational groundfish fishery

DFO advises that the dates for the 2009 Recreational Groundfish Fishery in

Newfoundland and Labrador have been set.

The summer fishery will run from July 25-Aug. 16, with a fall fishery from Sept. 26-Oct. 4.

The recreational groundfish fishery will occur in all NAFO areas around Newfoundland and Labrador, which includes 2GH, 2J3KL, 3Ps, 3Pn and 4R. Two exceptions are the Eastport and Gilbert Bay Marine Protected Areas (MPA) where recreational groundfish fishing will not be permitted.

The recreational fishery is open to both residents and non-residents. There is no requirement for licences or tags.

Recreational fishers are limited to five groundfish per day (including cod). However, the maximum boat limit when three or more people are fishing is 15 groundfish. This includes tour boats.

Retention of Atlantic halibut and Spotted and Northern wolffish is prohibited. Sculpins and cunners may be released. All other groundfish caught must be retained. High-grading of groundfish is not permitted.

All fish caught must be retained in an identifiable state. Fish may be bled, gutted, and split while at sea, but further processing such as filleting and skinning at sea is not permitted.

Only angling gear and handlines with a maximum of three hooks are permitted. Handlines include artificial lures, baited hooks and feathered hooks. Artificial lures with treble hooks weighing less than five ounces or 125 grams are acceptable. Traditional jiggers are not permitted unless they are modified and have only one single hook.

There are provisions in this year’s recreational fishery that allow a disabled person to designate a person to catch their daily limit of groundfish. Information will be available at DFO Licensing Centres.

Fishery officers will monitor this fishery closely, both at sea and at dockside, to ensure regulations are followed. Complaints will be investigated and charges laid where appropriate.

DFO reminds the public that this fishery may be closed on short notice if conservation concerns arise, such as excessive amounts of groundfish being landed or high levels of non-compliance.

The sale of groundfish caught in the recreational fishery is strictly prohibited.

Commercial fishing vessels are not permitted to participate in recreational fishing activity on any trip where there is any commercial fishing activity.

For safety reasons, fishing is only permitted from one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset. The public is reminded to follow safe boating practices and be aware of local weather and sea conditions before leaving port during the upcoming fishing season. Further information on marine weather conditions can be found at:

http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/marine/index_e.html

DFO will conduct a post-season survey of catch and effort for this fishery including the number of days fished, number of fish caught, where fish were caught, estimated weight of the fish caught and number of people in the boat while fishing. To facilitate this process, participants may find it useful to record information on their fishing trips throughout the season.