Minister Shea Announces 2009 Fisheries Management Decisions for the Gulf of St. Lawrence

OTTAWA, ONTARIO, Jun 16 (MARKET WIRE) --
The Honourable Gail Shea, Federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today
announced a number of management measures including northern and southern
Gulf Cod and sharing arrangements for Group B Gulf Shrimp.

"Today's announcements reflect our Government's commitment to ensuring
the long-term economic viability and sustainability of fisheries in the
Gulf," said Minister Shea. "These measures are aimed at rebuilding stocks
and increasing fairness and stability for fishers from across the region
this year and for seasons to come."

Minister Shea announced the following management measures for the Gulf of
St. Lawrence:

- Closure of the directed commercial fishery for southern Gulf cod;

- A Total Allowable Catch of 7,000 tonnes for northern Gulf cod;

- Direction by the Minister to the department to ensure the targeted
removal of grey seals; and

- Stabilization for the 2010 fishing season of a permanent allocation for
the Group B Gulf shrimp fleet of 13.5%

"By taking these steps now to address the health of cod stocks, we are
protecting the future of the Gulf fishery. This is the right thing to
do," said Minister Shea.

Canada's Economic Action Plan also provides a range of measures to assist
resource dependent communities during this difficult time by improving
access to credit for harvesters, processors and buyers, as well as
improvements to many small craft harbours and significant investments in
the Coast Guard.

BACKGROUNDER

2009 Gulf of St. Lawrence Fisheries Management Decisions

On June 16, 2009, the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and
Oceans, announced a number management decisions affecting the following
fisheries in the Gulf of St. Lawrence:

Northern Gulf cod (3Pn4RS)

The 2009 Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for northern Gulf cod will remain at
7,000t. This decision took into account scientific information and input
from the fishing industry.

Southern Gulf cod (4TVn)

There will be no directed commercial fishery for southern Gulf cod (4TVn)
in 2009. A TAC of 300t has been set for by-catch, Aboriginal and
recreational fisheries and scientific surveys. The decision to close the
fishery was based on the most recent scientific assessment, which shows
that this cod stock is at a historically low level and is continuing to
decline.

Impact of seal predation on southern Gulf cod

The department's most recent peer-reviewed scientific assessment
indicated that grey seal predation appears to be a significant component
of the very high mortality rates of cod in the southern Gulf. Based on
these findings, Minister Shea has directed the department to ensure the
targeted removal of grey seals that are preying on southern Gulf cod as
part of its conservation approach. The science assessment is available
at:
http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/CSAS/Csas/Publications/SAR-AS/2009/2009_007_e.htm

Gulf Shrimp - Group B

For 2009, an allocation of 15% was previously announced for the Group B
Gulf shrimp fleet. Beginning in the 2010 fishing season, a permanent
allocation of 13.5% for the Group B Gulf shrimp fleet will be introduced.
The stabilization of this sharing arrangement will support the
rationalization plans of both the groundfish and traditional shrimp
fleets, and improve the ability of fishers to make business planning
decisions.

For further details about the decisions, visit
http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/decisions/index-eng.htm

http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Contacts:
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Nancy Bishay
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister
613-992-3474

Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Ottawa
Scott Cantin
Media Relations
613-993-5413

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