Canada: Mackerel are abundant enough to extend bait fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador, says FFAW-Unifor

The union representing the province’s inshore fish harvesters wants the Atlantic mackerel bait fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador opened back up. A commercial mackerel fishery has been under moratorium since 1992, but the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) did announce in April a 470-tonne personal-use bait fishery for mackerel in Atlantic Canada and Quebec for 2024. The fishery was to be opened in two equal parts so harvesters from different regions would have equitable access to the stock as it migrates through the waters of Atlantic Canada and Quebec. The fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador opened Aug. 15, but was shut down three days later for conservation purposes as landings approached the second 235-tonne portion of the total allowable catch. In a press release issued Aug. 21, FFAW-Unifor secretary treasurer Jason Spingle said mackerel are abundant enough for the fishery to be open for longer than it was. “DFO extending harvesters another week would have ...