Question Period Note: NAFO 4T winter and yellowtail flounder decision

Why did the Department decide to close the winter and yellowtail flounder fisheries?

• My Department recently announced the closure of the winter and yellowtail flounder fisheries in NAFO division 4T.
• Based on science, this decision was made to help rebuild the stocks, which have remained in the critical zone since 2004 and 2009, respectively.
• The Department is committed to developing a rebuilding plan for yellowtail flounder.

• Yellowtail and winter flounder harvested in NAFO Div. 4T are primarily used as bait in the lobster fishery ensuring a fresh bait source for the lobster fishing industry that operates in the Magdalen Islands.
• Winter and yellowtail flounder have remained in the critical zone of the Precautionary Approach Framework since 2004 and 2009 respectively; their spawning biomasses were at 24 per cent and 39 percent of its limit reference point in 2020, No signs of recovery have been observed in the most recent scientific assessments.
• While the commercial fishery accounts only for a small proportion of the stock’s total mortality, it is important to limit and maintain fishing removals at the lowest possible level as this is one of the only controllable factors to ensure the species conservation.
• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) recognizes the importance of these fisheries to coastal communities, and therefore makes the conservation of these stocks a priority. Hence the Department’s to significantly reduce the TAC from 300 t to 150 t for winter flounder in 2022 and from 225 to 150 t for yellowtail flounder in 2021.
• A rebuilding plan for winter flounder, that is consistent with the Fisheries Act’s new fish stock provisions (FSP’s), is being finalized and will be delivered this coming spring (2023).
• The yellowtail flounder was recently proposed for a listing under “Batch 2” of the Fisheries Act’s FSP’s. The FSP’s came into force on April 4, 2022, which requires DFO, according to section 6.2 (1), to develop and implement a rebuilding within 24 months when a stock has fell below its limit reference point (i.e., critical zone) to promote the growth of this stock.
• DFO plans to develop and implement a rebuilding plan for yellowtail flounder.
• The affected harvesters (8) have proposed a number of options to help supplement the loss of this quota, including access to other fishing opportunities in the area. The Department is reviewing their request.

If pressed on the rebuilding plan
• Rebuilding these stocks would be to the benefit of all Canadians, including harvesters, sectors closely involved with the fishing industry, and Indigenous and coastal communities.
• A rebuilding plan for 4T winter flounder is on track to be completed this spring.

If pressed on compensation
• The Department is not resourced to financially compensate harvesters when there are downturns in their fishery.
• Affected harvesters are encouraged to work with their regional office to identify other opportunities.