Fisheries Peches + and Oceans et Oceans Cdt FY 1982 ANNUAL REPORT Western Newfoundland and Southern Labrador, , gyms ?..)V\JAA, t(‘ WOcits 4 Gulf Region Canada TABLE OF CONTENTS Page INTRODUCTION The Gulf Region 1 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES Groundfish 2 Shrimp 2 Lobster 3 Salmon 3 Herring 4 Mackerel 4 Scallop - • 5 Greysole 5 Seal 5 Capelin 6 FOREIGN ARRANGEMENTS 7 Vessels, Locations and Purchases 8 RESOURCE, ALLOCATION AND DEVELOPMENT Resource Allocation 9 Atlantic Development Program 11 Job Creation Program 13 Fishermen's Assistance Programs 14 Licencing Section 15 Economic Services Branch 19 PROTECTION AND REGULATIONS BRANCH Patrol Vessels 22 Dial-a-Poacher Program 23 Violations 24 Opening and Closing Dates 25 INSPECTION SERVICES National Inspection Program 25 Quality Improvement Program 26 Fish Inspection Laboratory 27 General 27 SMALL CRAFT HARBOURS AND FACILITIES DIRECTORATE Regular Program 28 Property Acquisition 29 Canada Community Development Program 30 Minor 0 & M 31 Emergency Dredging 31 Special Employment Initiatives Program 31 Program Highlights 32 ADMINISTRATION BRANCH 33 COMMUNICATIONS BRANCH 33 ii INTRODUCTION The Gulf Region In September 1980, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans announced the formation of a new region to be known as the Gulf Region which encompasses the Provinces of Quebec and Prince Edward Island, plus the headwater areas of all waters in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland which flow into the Gulf. It included all of the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the northern extremity of the Strait of Belle Isle and across Cabot Strait from Cape North on the Nova Scotia side to just west of Ramea on Newfoundland's southwest coast. Headquarters for the Gulf Region is located in Memramcook, southeast of Moncton, New Brunswick under the supervision of a Regional Director General. In addition to the Regional Headquarters, five Area Offices which were formerly operated under the Maritimes, Quebec and Newfoundland Regions, now fall within the new Gulf Region. Also, an additional office was created at Antigonish, Nova Scotia. Rationale for creation of the Gulf Region was that management consideration and operational procedures frequently differ between gulf fisheries and other fisheries in Atlantic Canada. By admin- istering the Gulf as a separate region, those who earn their livelihood from the fishery are provided with increased participation in policy formulation and decision making process. The unique fishery of the Gulf involves the competition of five jurisdictions and conflict between various types of fishing gear, which argues strongly in favor of a semi-autonomous management centre offered by the Gulf Region. This would offer the development of policies to better allocate gulf fish on the basis of resource, conservation, economic stability and viability in the industry and the maximum of benefits to the participants. Under the new region, decentralization and decision making authority within the confines of established policies was handed down to Area Directors, which would enhance co-operation of Federal and five Provincial Governments and between the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the fishing industry. In line with the decentralization of decision making authority, each area was given additional person years to carry out the mandate more effectively. Western Newfoundland and Southern Labrador, because of its geographical location which borders on the Gulf of St. Lawrence, became part of the new region with headquarters at Corner Brook. Geographical boundaries for the area extend from just west of Ramea on Newfoundland's southwest coast to the northern extremity of the Strait of Belle Isle and includes NAFO divisions 4R--3Pn. COMMERCIAL FISHERIES IN 1982 Groundfish Fishery The inshore cod fishery was exceptionally good as there was an abundance of cod in practically all areas. Although there appeared to be greater effort into the fishery, landings were on a par with 1981. Landings totalled 150,905,405 pounds compared to 150,062,790 in 1981. The fishery followed its traditional pattern with the fixed gear fishery in the Port aux Basques area commencing in January followed by the mobile fishery prosecuted by vessels less than sixty-five feet. The mobile fishery was late starting because of extenuating circumstances. The mobile harvest was much more regulated than in previous years, leading to a better quality product and a longer fishing season. The mobile fishery closed early in April when the quota was reached. The fishery re-opened May 1st. at which time the weekly limit of 100,000 pounds was reduced to 75,000 pounds. Buyers main- tained daily limits of between ten to twenty thousand pounds of gutted head-on fish. The mobile fishery closed again on July 17th. after quota allocations were reached. The fishery remained closed until a biological review had been completed after which the cod quota for 4R was revised upwards by 2,800 M.T. This amount was divided between the mobile and fixed gear sectors, with allocations of 2,100 M.T. and 700 M.T. respectively. For the first time it was necessary to close the fixed gear cod fishery. The closure was announced on November 10th. when the 2,000 M.T. reserve established for the October to December period was taken. Shrimp Fishery Thirty-six vessels operated in the shrimp fishery from the communities of Port Saunders and Port au Choix. Total landings were 3,952,341 pounds. The fishery did not commence until early April due to heavy ice conditions in the Gulf after which weather and fishing conditions were favorable, although somewhat restricted at times due to the continuing presence of heavy ice. Landings were consistent through- out the season. The by-catch of mature cod was of great concern, and as a result of very high by-catches, the shrimp fishery was closed in November. At that time, two shrimp vessels were given permits to continue -2- fishing for two days in various depths of water on the shrimp grounds to see if the by-catch of cod could be lowered. Upon com- pleting two days of experimental fishing it was determined that cod concentrations were heavy and it was necessary to retain the closure. By-catches consistently exceeded the 10% by-catch provisions provided in regulations. This resulted in the seizure of approx- imately $30,000.00 worth of cod and charges laid against twelve operators. Two of these charges were heard in December and were dismissed because the Court felt that there was sufficient evidence to support the fishermen's claim that they had been fishing directly for shrimp even though the by-catch was well in excess of one hundred percent. Both cases were appealed to the District Supreme Court and a decision is pending. Continuous surveillance on the shrimp fleet was necessary through- out the fishing season and approximately eighty percent of the shrimp fleet was boarded by Protection and Regulations personnel of the area. Lobster Fishery The lobster fishery, which normally opens on April 20th. in areas south of Gregory was delayed a week at the request of fishermen and did not open until April 27th. The request was made and approved because of severe ice conditions which prevailed at the time. The area north of Gregory opened on May 5th. as in previous years. However, because of severe ice problems and high winds, considerable damage to lobster fishing gear was experienced in the areas of St. John Bay and St. Margaret Bay. The total catch throughout the area was 1,852,561 pounds as com- pared to 2,047,079 pounds: for the 1981 season. Even though the catch. was down, most fishermen reported a fairly successful year with higher prices being paid. The prices paid to fishermen were generally the same throughout starting at $2.10 per pound and closing at $2.35 per pound. Patrols were carried out on a regular basis with a number of Guardians taken on strength early to assist Fishery Officers on coastal patrols. Patrolling was done by speed boats, helicopters, and the patrol vessel "Gander Bay". Commercial Salmon Fishery The commercial salmon fishery got off to a slow start due to weather conditions along the southwest coast from Boar Island to Port aux Basques. However, the salmon fishery was a little better on the west and northwest coasts. -3- In the area from Pass Island to Cape Ray, the season opened May 20th. and closed July 10th., and from Cape Ray to Cape St. Gregory the season extended from June 1st. to July 10th. The salmon season in all other areas of the province opened May 18th. and closed December 31st. For the first two weeks of the season, catches by commercial salmon fishermen were well below average as compared to last year. Price paid to fishermen was $2.20 per pound for large salmon (six pounds and over) and $1.70 per pound for small (under six pounds). As in previous years the major concern was regarding the number of grilse taken by cod traps. It was generally felt that some cod traps were set specifically for the taking of salmon. Although the commercial salmon catch was below 1981, fishermen did land approximately 414,000 pounds. Herring Fishery Due to the nature of the herring purse seine fishery, it was necessary to meet on a continuous basis with seiner operators to ensure any one particular quota assigned to a geographic area was not exceeded. The mobile fleet quota for Bay St. George was not taken and operators were permitted to harvest the shortfall in the fall fishery elsewhere in 4R. To ensure an orderly harvest observers were used on all purse seiners at various intervals throughout the fishing season to determine the amount of herring landed and to collect samples for biological analysis.