Question Period Note: 4R Herring (west coast of Newfoundland)

• The Department of Fisheries and Oceans is committed to the responsible, science-based decision making for all of our fish stocks, and Newfoundland herring is no exception.
• While I am encouraged by the results of the most recent stock assessment in fall 2020, our science advice also notes key areas of uncertainty.
• The current fishing season for 4R herring has been characterized by the high prevalence of undersized fish, which is a challenge for the management of the resource and the prosecution of the fishery.
• We strongly value the views and perspectives of industry and stakeholders, and we will continue to work closely with them in the management approach for this fishery while taking into account the best available science.

Tolerance for undersized catch

• In 2018, we made changes to fisheries management measures to accommodate an increase in small fish availability.
• This change, increasing the tolerance for landing of undersized herring from 10% to 20%, was and continues to be supported by DFO Science.
• We will continue to work closely with industry and stakeholders going forward to inform our approach, recognizing that any approach will need to ensure the conservation of the resource.

• The current Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for 4R herring is 20,000t (19,950t for the commercial fishery and 50t for the herring bait fishery). As of December 21, 2020 approximately 4,760 tonnes has been taken and the fishery will remain open until March 31, 2021 pending available quota. Herring on the west coast of Newfoundland and the area south of Cape Charles in Labrador (4R) is comprised of two distinct stock components: spring and fall spawners.
• At this fall’s 2020 4R herring stock assessment, it was concluded that there are encouraging signs for the future (abundance of juvenile fish observed in the 2019 acoustic surveys, by commercial fishermen and in the commercial catch-at-age for spring and fall spawners). However, the conclusions also highlighted considerable uncertainties which will need to be validated in subsequent years.
• One of the key management measures to promote long-term sustainability of the fishery is a minimum fish size, with a limited tolerance on the harvest of undersized fish. The minimum size has a biological basis and is set at L50 - the length at which 50% of the population is mature.
• Several changes to the fishing management rules have already been made to accommodate for the higher presence of small herring in recent years. The tolerance level for the catch of small herring was increased from 10 to 20 per cent in 2018. At the request of industry, the minimum size limit (L50), was reviewed by science and subsequently reduced from 26.5 cm to 24.8 cm in 2018.
• Industry has complained that a 20 per cent tolerance for undersized fish is not nearly sufficient to allow them to prosecute a herring fishery in 4R and has asked the Department for increased flexibility. The Department is of the view that conservation interests are best served by adhering to the current provision and waiting for undersized fish to grow above the minimum size and enter the legal fishery.

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