Gulf Region

Notice to Fish Harvesters

2020 OPENING DATES FOR THE COMMERCIAL GASPEREAU FISHERY IN EASTERN

Tracadie, NB – May 7, 2020 - Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) is announcing the opening dates for the 2020 commercial Gaspereau fishery in Eastern New Brunswick (ENB). The fishing season for each water course was established in consultation with industry members and details can be found in the attached Annex 1.

NEW licence conditions implemented since 2018:

Marine Mammal Interaction Reporting

Since 2018, all licence holders/operators must provide information regarding all lethal and non- lethal marine mammal interactions during fishing trips, including bycatch, collision and all sightings of marine mammals entangled in fishing gear in the DFO Marine Mammal Interaction Form.

Lost & Retrieved Gear Reporting

Since 2019, all licence holders/operators must report any lost fishing gear by submitting a Lost Fishing Gear form within 24 hours of entering to port after noticing the loss of gear. The retrieval of any of their own previously reported lost gear must also be reported by submitting a Retrieval of Previously Reported Fishing Gear form within 24 hours of entering to port after retrieving gear previously reported as lost.

Licence holders are required to consult their licence conditions for additional details on these new clauses.

All other management measures announced on May 5, 2017 remain in place for 2020.

Management measures for the 2021 and 2022 fishing seasons will be discussed at the next ENB Gaspereau Advisory Committee meeting.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) - Information for industry

Canadian fisheries and aquaculture sectors provide the world with sustainably-sourced, high quality, high value, fish and seafood.

EKME/MGCE : 4156436

Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard is committed to supporting our fisheries and aquaculture industry during these difficult times. The Government of Canada is taking the necessary steps to ensure that you can continue to operate safely and effectively and we will continue to keep you informed of the latest developments.

Visit our website to find out more: http://dfo-mpo.gc.ca/covid19/industry-industrie/index-eng.html

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Diana Fillion Resource Management Fisheries and Oceans Canada Tracadie, NB 506-395-7740 [email protected]

EKME/MGCE : 4156436 ANNEX 1 OPENING DATES FOR THE 2020 GASPEREAU COMMERCIAL FISHERY IN EASTERN NEW BRUNSWICK

Water courses Open season Closed Tidal waters of that portion of New Brunswick that borders on the Gulf of St. Lawrence and not referred to in the waters set out Open from 6:00 p.m. on May 31 to 6:00 p.m. on June 28 No closure below

Tidal waters of Lamèque Island, Miscou Island and the Bay, Open from 12:00 p.m. on May 28 to 12:00 p.m. on June 25 No closure Gloucester County

Closed every weekend from 12:00 pm each Saturday to 6:00 pm on the Tidal waters of the , Gloucester County Open from 12:00 p.m. on May 24 to 12:00 p.m. on July 4 following Sunday.

Tidal waters of the Big Tracadie River and Portage River, (tributary of the Closed every weekend from 12:00 pm each Saturday to 6:00 pm on the Open from 12:00 p.m. on June 1 to 12:00 p.m. on July 13 Big Tracadie River), Gloucester County following Sunday.

Tidal waters of the Little Tracadie River, Gloucester County Open from 6:00 p.m. on May 31 to 6:00 p.m. on June 28 No closure

Closed from 12:00 p.m. on Saturday to 6:00 p.m. on the following Sunday Tidal waters of the Tabusintac River, Northumberland County Open from 6:00 p.m. on May 30 to 6:00 p.m. on July 4 during the weekends of May 30-31 and June 6-7

Tidal waters of , , Black River, French River, Open from 6:00 p.m. on May 28 to 6:00 p.m. on June 25 No closure and Bay du Vin River, Northumberland County

Tidal waters of the Eel River and Portage River (tributary of the Eel River), Closed from 12:00 p.m. on Saturday to 6:00 p.m. on the following Sunday Open from 6:00 p.m. on May 28 to 6:00 p.m. on July 2 Northumberland County during the weekends of May 30-31 and June 6-7

Tidal waters of the Northwest Miramichi and Southwest Miramichi Rivers, Open from 6:00 p.m. on June 1 to 6:00 p.m. on June 29 No closure Northumberland County

Tidal waters of Harbour, , Saint-Charles (Aldouane) River, and , Kent Open from 6:00 p.m. on June 1 to 6:00 p.m. on June 29 No closure County

Tidal waters of the River, Kent County Open from 12:00 p.m. on June 2 to 12:00 p.m. on June 30 No closure

Closed from 12:00 p.m. on Saturday to 6:00 p.m. on the following Sunday Tidal waters of Cocagne Bay and Cocagne River, Kent County Open from 12:00 p.m. on June 1 to 12:00 p.m. on July 6 during the weekends of June 6-7 and June 13-14

Tidal waters of the Little Bouctouche River, Kent County, and also tidal waters Open from 12:00 p.m. on June 5 to 12:00 p.m. on July 3 No closure of the Scoudouc River, Westmorland County

Tidal waters of the River, Westmorland County Open from 12:00 p.m. on June 3 to 12:00 p.m.on July 1 No closure

Tidal waters of Aboujagane and Kouchibouguac Rivers, Westmorland Open from 12:00 p.m. on June 1 to 12:00 p.m. on June 29 No closure County

EKME/MGCE : 4156436