Pacific Region Integrated Fisheries Management Plan, Groundfish
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PACIFIC REGION INTEGRATED FISHERIES MANAGEMENT PLAN GROUNDFISH EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 21, 2021 VERSION 1.0 Roughscale Sole (Clidoderma asperrimum) This Integrated Fisheries Management Plan is intended for general purposes only. Where there is a discrepancy between the Integrated Fisheries Management Plan and the regulations, the regulations are the final authority. A description of Areas and Subareas referenced in this Integrated Fisheries Management Plan can be found in the Pacific Fishery Management Area Regulations. 21-Feb-2021 Version 1.0 This page intentionally left blank 21-Feb-2021 Version 1.0 FOREWORD The purpose of this Integrated Fisheries Management Plan (IFMP) is to identify the main objectives and requirements for the Groundfish fisheries in the Pacific Region, as well as the management measures that will be used to achieve these objectives. This document also serves to communicate the basic information on the fishery and its management to Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) staff, legislated co-management boards and other stakeholders. This IFMP provides a common understanding of the basic “rules” for the sustainable management of the fisheries resource. This IFMP is not a legally binding instrument which can form the basis of a legal challenge. The IFMP can be modified at any time and does not fetter the Minister's discretionary powers set out in the Fisheries Act, Species At Risk Act, and Oceans Act. The Minister can, for reasons of conservation or for any other valid reasons, modify any provision of the IFMP in accordance with the powers granted pursuant to the Fisheries Act, Species At Risk Act, and Oceans Act. Where DFO is responsible for implementing obligations under land claims agreements, the IFMP will be implemented in a manner consistent with these obligations. In the event that an IFMP is inconsistent with obligations under land claims agreements, the provisions of the land claims agreements will prevail to the extent of the inconsistency. This IFMP is a living document that will be subjected to a review every two years for updates, with input from interested parties. Any changes required within a given fishing season will continue to be made as needed. IFMP documents are available from the DFO Pacific Region Internet site: http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/ifmp-eng.html. 21-Feb-2021 Version 1.0 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. OVERVIEW OF THE FISHERY ..........................................................................................6 History......................................................................................................................6 Type of Fishery and Participants .............................................................................6 Location of Fishery ..................................................................................................7 Commercial Fishing Areas ......................................................................................7 Governance ..............................................................................................................9 Approval Process ...................................................................................................10 2. RESOURCE MANAGEMENT GOAL ...............................................................................10 3. STOCK ASSESSMENT AND STATUS ............................................................................12 Biological Synopsis ...............................................................................................12 Indigenous Traditional Knowledge/Traditional Ecological Knowledge ...............12 Stock Assessment and Science Advice ..................................................................13 Precautionary Approach (PA) ................................................................................16 Research .................................................................................................................17 4. ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL IMPORTANCE .............................................19 Indigenous Fisheries ..............................................................................................20 Recreational Fishery ..............................................................................................21 Commercial Fishery ...............................................................................................25 5. OTHER GROUNDFISH MANAGEMENT ISSUES ..........................................................34 Depleted Species Concerns ....................................................................................34 Oceans and Habitat Considerations .......................................................................42 Human Waste Containment Regulations ...............................................................51 6. ACCESS AND ALLOCATION ..........................................................................................52 Access and Allocations ..........................................................................................52 7. COMMERCIAL MANAGEMENT MEASURES ...............................................................73 Commercial Sector Groups ....................................................................................73 Individual Vessel Accountability and Responsibility ............................................73 Sector Caps ............................................................................................................73 Reallocations of Individual Quota .........................................................................73 Multiple Hail-outs ..................................................................................................74 At-Sea Monitoring .................................................................................................74 8. RECREATIONAL MANAGEMENT MEASURES ...........................................................74 Tidal Water Sport Fishing - Licensing and Regulations ........................................74 Licence Fees...........................................................................................................75 Online Regulations.................................................................................................75 Using mobile devices and the FishingBC App ......................................................76 E-licences and Paper licences ................................................................................76 Catch Reporting and the (iREC) Survey ................................................................76 9. SHARED STEWARDSHIP ARRANGEMENTS ...............................................................77 Commercial Industry .............................................................................................77 Fisheries and Oceans Canada.................................................................................77 10. COMPLIANCE PLAN ........................................................................................................77 Overview ................................................................................................................77 Enforcement Priorities ...........................................................................................78 Fishery Patrol Vessels ............................................................................................78 Groundfish Integrated Fisheries Management Plan Page 4 of 81 21-Feb-2021 Version 1.0 Air Surveillance .....................................................................................................79 11. IN-SEASON UPDATES ......................................................................................................79 12. APPENDICES ......................................................................................................................80 13. GLOSSARY .........................................................................................................................80 Groundfish Integrated Fisheries Management Plan Page 5 of 81 21-Feb-2021 Version 1.0 1. OVERVIEW OF THE FISHERY History Each year Fisheries and Oceans Canada provides opportunities to First Nations for food, social and ceremonial (FSC) purposes (or domestic purposes for First Nations with modern treaties), and the commercial and recreational fisheries to harvest groundfish. First Nations, recreational, and commercial fisheries on the Pacific Coast of Canada have long harvested groundfish. Groundfish serve as a source of food, they provide jobs, income, and enjoyment for individuals, businesses, and coastal communities and they play key roles in natural ecosystems. Type of Fishery and Participants First Nations In the 1990 Sparrow decision, the Supreme Court of Canada found that where an Indigenous group has an Indigenous right to fish for food, social, and ceremonial (FSC) purposes, it takes priority, after conservation, over other uses of the resource. Fisheries are authorized via a Communal Licence issued by the Department under the Aboriginal Communal Fishing Licences Regulations. For additional information regarding indigenous fisheries, refer to section 6.1.1. Recreational A recreational fishery may occur where authorized by a valid Tidal Waters Sport Fishing licence, which is required for the recreational harvest of all species of fish. Approximately 300,000 Tidal Waters Sport Fishing licences are sold each year. Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licences can be purchased online by using the DFO website: http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/licence-permis/application-eng.html