The Honourable Elvis Loveless, Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, is calling on the Federal Government to ensure Newfoundland and Labrador receives its fair share of the newly announced Unit 1 redfish quota allocations. The Provincial Government has requested a share that appropriately reflects Newfoundland and Labrador’s historical attachment to the redfish fishery, the longstanding principle of adjacency, and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

On January 26, 2024, the Federal Government’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans announced plans to re-open the Unit 1 commercial redfish fishery in 2024 for a two-year transitional period with a minimum Total Allowable Catch of 25,000 tonnes. Important discussions will take place in the coming weeks with the Redfish Advisory Committee to determine quota allocations for each fleet, establish management measures, and consult on a Total Allowable Catch for the 2024 fishing season.

The Federal Government’s department also recently announced significant reductions in Northern Shrimp quotas that will have a devastating impact on this province’s shrimp harvesters and processors. The quota for Shrimp Fishing Area 8, located adjacent to the province’s west coast, has been reduced from 4,222 tonnes in 2023 to just 1,757 tonnes for 2024.

While the Federal Government’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans has allocated 10 per cent of the redfish quota to shrimp harvesters to help offset impacts of the quota reduction, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is calling for those affected to receive a greater share of redfish quota given the extent of the cut.

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“We are pleased with the re-opening of the commercial redfish fishery and the opportunities for the fishing industry in this province. In saying that, I am disappointed that the provincial share of the quota does not reflect the historic attachment and adjacency of Newfoundland and Labrador to the redfish fishery. Further, given the significant quota reduction in Shrimp Fishing Area 8, I call upon the federal minister for an increase in the redfish quota for shrimp harvesters and consideration of a licence buyback program for impacted harvesters.”
Honourable Elvis Loveless
Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture

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In Solution Mode: The Government of Canada launches its transition plan for the future of fisheries in Quebec and Atlantic Canada

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BACKGROUNDER

• The reopening of the Unit Redfish fishery will take place in two phases. A first two-year transitional phase will allow for data collection, give fish harvesters time to prepare, further develop markets, and strengthen the sector’s capacity to transform.

• A second phase of long-term development aimed at establishing a redfish fishery with a modernized allocation key. A phase that, in view of the current scientific data, would be one of expansion.
• Commercial redfish quota share by fleet:
  • Offshore mobile gear (MG) fleet sector (vessels >100′) – 58.69%
  • Inshore MG fleet sector (vessels <65′) – 14.84%
  • Midshore MG fleet sector (vessels 65-100′) – 5.72%
  • Inshore fixed gear (bycatch) – 0.75%
  • Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence (ESGL) Shrimp Harvesters – 10.00%
  • Quota dedicated to Indigenous communities – 10.00%

• Commercial redfish quota share by province as proposed by DFO:
  • Newfoundland and Labrador: 19%
  • Nova Scotia: 33%
  • New Brunswick: 11%
  • P.E.I.: 5%
  • Quebec: 32%