An increase in the halibut quota is good news for Prince Edward Island fishers, says Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Alan McIsaac.
“As the new fisheries minister, I want to thank Fisheries and Oceans Minister Gail Shea for distributing the new quota beyond the traditional allocations in a more fair and equitable manner,” said Minister McIsaac. “I look forward to discussions with Minister Shea in the near future to discuss further opportunities to increase the prosperity of Island fishers.”
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans announced earlier this week that the Total Allowable Catch for halibut in the Gulf of St. Lawrence has been increased to 1036.8 metric tonnes for each of the next two years. This represents an increase of 20 per cent over 2014. Prince Edward Island will receive 46.38 metric tonnes for each of the next two years, up from 24.8 metric tonnes in 2014. That gives Island fishers 4.7 per cent of the Total Allowable Catch.
Minister McIsaac said he will continue to advocate for additional quota for Prince Edward Island halibut fishers which would make it a more viable fishery.
The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries is contributing to a three year study being conducted by the Prince Edward Island Fishermens Association to determine the abundance, distribution and migration of halibut in the Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence. This is the final year of the project, and the minister said he hopes it will provide further evidence to support an increase in the halibut allocation to Island fishers.
Last year, there were 212 licensed halibut fishers participating in the fishery. The landed value was $309,000.