Question Period Note: Herring-dependent group within the Maritime Fisherman’s Union

• DFO has met the herring-dependent group within the Maritime Fisherman’s Union regarding their desire for a portion of the MFU’s snow crab allocation.
• The Department has also discussed this matter with the MFU and understands they intend to resolve this issue internally. Having said that, DFO remains available and is willing to play a constructive role in helping to resolve the differences between the groups.

• The Total Allowable Catch for the fall herring season in Herring Fishing Area (HFA) 16 of the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence has been set at 12,000 t, a 47% reduction from last year’s TAC but a 23% reduction from 2019 catch. The fall herring stock has been in the Cautious Zone of the Precautionary Approach (PA) framework since 2017, and the spawning stock biomass has continuously declined between 2011 and 2019.
• Despite management measures put in place to promote the recovery of the stock, it continues to decline.
• A self-proclaimed herring-dependent group of 17 fishers within the Maritime Fisherman’s Union (MFU), is requesting access to snow crab allocated by DFO to the MFU (1,675t in crab fishing area 12 for 2020). In addition, this group would like a dedicated portion of the MFU’s herring allocation in area 16B rather than fish under the MFU’s competitive quota. This group met with media on Friday, October 9 in Caraquet, New Brunswick.
• The herring-dependent group met with DFO last March and provided a number of requests including access to snow crab and herring in herring fishing area 16B.
• DFO proposed to facilitate discussion between the two groups within the MFU.
• MFU leadership indicated that they would address the issue in an upcoming meeting.
• The meeting has not been set yet.

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