This is probably not of interest to most people but here's an update on our commercial TUNA fishing treaty with USA.
Category(s):
COMMERCIAL - Pelagics: Tuna
Fishery Notice - Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Subject: FN0087-Tuna: Pacific Albacore Tuna Treaty - Changes for the 2009 Season
On December 15, 2008, Canadian and American officials initialled amendments to
the Canada-U.S. Pacific Albacore Tuna Treaty with a view to having the new
regime in force for the 2009 Fishing Season. Based on these amendments,
Fisheries & Oceans Canada will be implementing the new requirements for the
albacore tuna fishery for those fishing in the waters of the USA. More details
are provided after the following summary of the key elements:
- The treaty has been renewed for a 3 year period with year 1 commencing for
the 2009 season
- Fishing for albacore tuna in US waters is limited to USA 68 troll vessels
ranked from 1 to 110
- A defined fishing season from June 15 to October 31 will replace the vessel
months system
- Vessel fishing months may not be reallocated
- Vessel replacements for the entire fishing season are allowed if
applications are received by May 1, 2009
The treaty has been renewed for a period to 3 years. This will ensure 3 fishing
seasons (2009 to 2011) for Canadian vessels to harvest albacore tuna in the US
EEZ as well as US vessels to harvest in the Canadian EEZ. Canadian access has
been increased from 94 vessels to 110 vessels and US access will be maintained
at historical levels. The additional 16 vessels will be taken from the
existing licence eligibility list to allow access for those ranked between 95
and 110.
The fishing season has been modified from a vessel month’s system to a defined
season of 4.5 months. The tuna fishing season for harvesters in the US EEZ will
now start on June 15 and end on October 31.
Though licence holders may no longer reallocate vessel fishing months or
portions of the fishing season under the renewed treaty; licence holders can
still reallocate the entire fishing season to other fishing vessels.
Vessel replacements may be made by May 1 of each year, unless otherwise
specified. After the May 1 deadline, a fixed list of the USA 68 licensed
vessels (those vessels ranked 1 to 110) will be forwarded to US fishery
management coordinators.
Any further changes to vessels after May 1 may only occur under exceptional
circumstances and with the concurrence of the government of Canada and subject
to no objections by the US government. Further changes (e.g. in the event of
force majeur or other cause for an exceptional request by a Party for
replacement of a vessel within a season) will be reviewed by an ad hoc panel
convened by the Government of Canada to review the request and determine
whether the request warrants an exemption. If the finding is positive, the
supporting information for the replacement and new vessel information shall be
transmitted to the Government of the United States prior to the vessel entering
U.S. waters. Any replacement vessel in-season under these "exceptional
circumstances" shall not exceed the overall length of the original vessel it is
replacing by more than 10 feet.
Vessel owners/licence eligibility holders are again reminded to reference their
2009 conditions of licence and the 2009 Integrated Fisheries Management Plan
(IFMP) for tuna to have a better understanding of the management measures and
requirements for participating in this fishery. Please note that we are
beginning the process of developing the 2009 IFMP. Tuna Advisory Board
representatives’ contact details, meeting information and presentations are
available from the DFO consultation website at http://www-ops2.pac.dfo-
mpo.gc.ca/xnet/content/consultations/pelagics/tuna/default_e.htm.
A draft 2009 IFMP will be posted on our consultation website in the near future.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Cynthia Johnston 604-666-2188
Fisheries and Oceans Canada Operations Center - FN0087
Sent February 16, 2009 at 11:36
Visit us on the Web at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Category(s):
COMMERCIAL - Pelagics: Tuna
Fishery Notice - Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Subject: FN0087-Tuna: Pacific Albacore Tuna Treaty - Changes for the 2009 Season
On December 15, 2008, Canadian and American officials initialled amendments to
the Canada-U.S. Pacific Albacore Tuna Treaty with a view to having the new
regime in force for the 2009 Fishing Season. Based on these amendments,
Fisheries & Oceans Canada will be implementing the new requirements for the
albacore tuna fishery for those fishing in the waters of the USA. More details
are provided after the following summary of the key elements:
- The treaty has been renewed for a 3 year period with year 1 commencing for
the 2009 season
- Fishing for albacore tuna in US waters is limited to USA 68 troll vessels
ranked from 1 to 110
- A defined fishing season from June 15 to October 31 will replace the vessel
months system
- Vessel fishing months may not be reallocated
- Vessel replacements for the entire fishing season are allowed if
applications are received by May 1, 2009
The treaty has been renewed for a period to 3 years. This will ensure 3 fishing
seasons (2009 to 2011) for Canadian vessels to harvest albacore tuna in the US
EEZ as well as US vessels to harvest in the Canadian EEZ. Canadian access has
been increased from 94 vessels to 110 vessels and US access will be maintained
at historical levels. The additional 16 vessels will be taken from the
existing licence eligibility list to allow access for those ranked between 95
and 110.
The fishing season has been modified from a vessel month’s system to a defined
season of 4.5 months. The tuna fishing season for harvesters in the US EEZ will
now start on June 15 and end on October 31.
Though licence holders may no longer reallocate vessel fishing months or
portions of the fishing season under the renewed treaty; licence holders can
still reallocate the entire fishing season to other fishing vessels.
Vessel replacements may be made by May 1 of each year, unless otherwise
specified. After the May 1 deadline, a fixed list of the USA 68 licensed
vessels (those vessels ranked 1 to 110) will be forwarded to US fishery
management coordinators.
Any further changes to vessels after May 1 may only occur under exceptional
circumstances and with the concurrence of the government of Canada and subject
to no objections by the US government. Further changes (e.g. in the event of
force majeur or other cause for an exceptional request by a Party for
replacement of a vessel within a season) will be reviewed by an ad hoc panel
convened by the Government of Canada to review the request and determine
whether the request warrants an exemption. If the finding is positive, the
supporting information for the replacement and new vessel information shall be
transmitted to the Government of the United States prior to the vessel entering
U.S. waters. Any replacement vessel in-season under these "exceptional
circumstances" shall not exceed the overall length of the original vessel it is
replacing by more than 10 feet.
Vessel owners/licence eligibility holders are again reminded to reference their
2009 conditions of licence and the 2009 Integrated Fisheries Management Plan
(IFMP) for tuna to have a better understanding of the management measures and
requirements for participating in this fishery. Please note that we are
beginning the process of developing the 2009 IFMP. Tuna Advisory Board
representatives’ contact details, meeting information and presentations are
available from the DFO consultation website at http://www-ops2.pac.dfo-
mpo.gc.ca/xnet/content/consultations/pelagics/tuna/default_e.htm.
A draft 2009 IFMP will be posted on our consultation website in the near future.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Cynthia Johnston 604-666-2188
Fisheries and Oceans Canada Operations Center - FN0087
Sent February 16, 2009 at 11:36
Visit us on the Web at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
