Notices to Fish Harvesters

 1.    Application

 This Conservation Harvesting Plan (CHP) applies to the Magdalen Islands sealing fleet and covers the 2019 and 2020 Grey seal and Harp seal hunt season.

2. Fishing areas

 Subject to any Variation Order and based on valid licences, the fleet is authorised to hunt in the 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.

The fishing areas coordinates are listed in the fishing areas maps, which are available at the following address: http://www.qc.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/peches-fisheries/commerciale-commercial/index-eng.html

 3.    Permanent fishing closures

 The Marine Mammal Regulations, available at the following address, identifies the areas permanently closed: http://lois-laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-93-56/

4.    Fishing seasons

The fishing seasons listed below are for guidance only. Opening and closing fishing dates will be confirmed through Notices to Fish Harvesters and Variation Orders.

The fishing seasons indicated below will be in effect for the duration of this CHP. 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.

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

5. Quotas

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

Harp seal: 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.

6. Management Regime

With regards to Grey seal, the hunt is competitive and the allocation is available to all sealers from Eastern Canada.

The Harp seal allocation granted to the fleet is available to all licence holders from the Magdalen Islands area (competitive hunt).

7. Fishing Gear

The gears authorised are the hakapik, club and firearm. Gear specifications, as well as the three-step killing process, are described in the Marine Mammal Regulations available at the following address: http://lois-laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-93-56as well as in the sealers’ licences.

8. Hail out

In the sealing area 20, the master of any vessel with a length overall exceeding 10.7 metres (35 feet) must contact Fisheries and Oceans Canada by phone at 418-986-2150 before 21:00 h the day before departing on each fishing (sealing) trip.

Outside sealing area 20, the master of any vessel with a length overall exceeding 10.7 metres (35 feet) must contact Fisheries and Oceans Canada by phone at 418-986-2150 from 24 to 72 hours before leaving for each fishing (sealing) trip.

9. Declaration of catches

All catches must be declared to Fisheries and Oceans Canada by phone at 418-986-2150 (answering machine) the day of the catches. Details are included in the sealers’ licences.

10. Vessel

A vessel equipped with a motor 10 HP or more that is used for sealing must be recorded on a professional sealer’s licence.This professional sealer shall be on board the vessel during sealing activities.

Only vessels less than 65’ may be used for the seal hunt.

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

The holder of a commercial sealing licence is authorized to use a maximum of two auxiliary crafts.

·         An auxiliary craft is a craft that is taken on board the vessel prior to leaving the port in order to use it, if required, to facilitate sealing operations.

·         In the case of auxiliary crafts, it is the Vessel Registration Number (VRN) or Seal Vessel Identification Number (SVIN) of the main vessel that shall be painted or securely affixed to the vessel by other means. 

11. 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.

In order to harvest seals, it is mandatory to complete the training on the three-step killing process.

Please refer to your licence and to the Marine Mammal Regulations for details on the three-step process and other related management measures.

12. Licences

To obtain their licences, licence holders must log on the Online Licensing System. For Online Licensing System assistance, please contact customer support by phone at 1-877-535-7307 or by email at fishing-peche@dfo-mpo.gc.ca. 

Approved by:

Maryse Lemire

Regional director, fisheries management

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

For any questions regarding this CHP

You may call at 418-986-2095.