Question Period Note: Redfish - Unit 1

• The Unit 1 Redfish commercial fishery reopened in 2024—after nearly 30 years under moratorium—with a 60,000 tonne quota. Approximately five per cent of the quota was landed in 2024.
• To support economic viability and encourage participation, my Department relaxed management measures for 2025, while maintaining strong monitoring measures to protect depleted groundfish stocks.
• My Department does not plan to hold further consultations on allocation sharing at this time and intends to maintain the current approach for the long term.

• There are two species of redfish, Sebastes mentella and Sebastes fasciatus, managed as one biological stock. The one biological stock is managed in two management units—Unit 1 in the Gulf of St. Lawrence; and Unit 2 in the Laurentian Channel.
• Redfish stocks in the Gulf of St. Lawrence (Unit 1) experienced significant growth in biomass as a result of three strong recruitment year classes (new baby fish) born in 2011, 2012, and 2013. However, redfish recruitment is episodic and unpredictable, with no significant new recruitment observed since.
• As of 2025, Sebastes mentella remains in the healthy zone under the Precautionary Approach framework, while Sebastes fasciatus is likely in the healthy zone but close to the cautious zone, with some uncertainty.
• The 2025 stock assessment noted limited growth in fish body size and high natural mortality, with projections indicating a gradual population decline over the next decade, even in the absence of fishing. The next redfish stock assessment is planned for 2027.
• Unit 1 was under a commercial moratorium from 1995 until 2024. On January 26, 2024, the re-opening of the Unit 1 redfish commercial fishery and a modernized allocation key were announced. On May 31, 2024, the Department announced a total allowable catch of 60,000 tonnes (t) and a management plan for the 2024, including a temporary allocation sharing framework for 2024 and 2025.
• Despite the available quota, only about five per cent of the allocated 60,000 t quota for Unit 1 Redfish was landed in the 2024-25 fishing season, with the inshore fleet being the most active in the fishery.
• Stakeholders cited high operating costs, low market value of redfish, and restrictive management measures as barriers to participation. They called for relaxing management measures to support the fishery’s development. In 2025, the quota was maintained at 60,000 t for Unit 1 redfish and management measures were relaxed to encourage participation in the fishery.
• The Unit 1 stock area overlaps with five other groundfish stocks in the critical zone and for which rebuilding plans have been approved, pursuant to sections 6.1 and 6.2 of the Fisheries Act. To protect these vulnerable stocks, the Department monitors fishing activity and bycatch levels closely and enforces strict bycatch limits.
• In 2024, bycatch caps stemming from rebuilding plans were not reached, due to low fishing activity. For 2025, management measures were relaxed to encourage greater participation in the fishery, while maintaining strong monitoring practices to ensure bycatch levels for depleted groundfish stocks remain within established limits.
• Broader consultations were originally planned to inform long-term allocation sharing, with implementation anticipated in 2026. However, due to low engagement in earlier consultations and general support for the current model, the Department has decided not to proceed with further consultations at this time.
• The current allocation sharing model will be maintained, with competitive access for Indigenous communities and existing sub-fleet shares for other fleet sectors.
• Ongoing engagement will continue through the Advisory Committee, and the Department remains open to revisiting its approach based on future interest.

If pressed on why catches this season have been low.
• Low landings could be due to a developing market, limited processing capacity, small redfish sizes, low prices at landing, time needed for harvesters to prepare (gear, business plan), and restrictive bycatch management measures aimed at limiting and monitoring bycatch.
If pressed on the restrictive management measures.
• Bycatch limits and restrictions are key to protecting depleted groundfish stocks and avoiding early fishery closure, based on the best available science advice.
• For 2025, management measures were relaxed to encourage greater participation in the fishery, while maintaining strong monitoring practices to ensure bycatch levels for depleted groundfish stocks remain within established limits.
If pressed on why the consultations on allocation sharing are not continuing.
• This decision was based on low engagement in earlier consultations, limited catches, and the absence of opposition to the current model. Given the expected natural stock decline, market uncertainty, and the complexity involved in implementing new allocation models, an additional review of the sharing arrangement is considered of limited practical value at this time.
• Engagement will continue through the Advisory Committee, and my Department remains open to adapting its approach based on future interest.