July 15, 2025
2025 HALIBUT LONGLINE SCIENCE SURVEY
NOTICE TO ALL PEI INDEPENDENT CORE GROUNDFISH FISHERS
The PEI Fishermen’s Association is seeking a maximum of 17 participants to assist in the 2025 4RST Halibut Longline Science Survey. Participants will be assisting in the collection of data on the abundance, distribution and biology of Atlantic halibut in the Gulf of St. Lawrence through a scientific longline survey and tagging program. PEI Independent Core fishers in possession of a valid groundfish license may apply to assist in one of the 17 specific stations proposed to be completed between August 15 and October 15, 2025.
The PEIFA will be accepting registrations for interested Captains followed by a draw. Please see registration details below.
Each fisher will indicate the site (s) they are interested in surveying (see map below). You can put your name in for multiple sites but only if you are serious about travelling to the sampling site should you be chosen. All names will be drawn for each sampling site, and the winners will be contacted. If you are drawn first for more than 1 sampling site you can chose which site you would prefer and the next person on the list will get the second sampling site. The first 5 names drawn out at each site will be posted online. The winner of each site will receive a call within 24 hours of the draw and a decision must be made at that time if they wish to participate. If the fisher choses to opt out the sampling the site goes to the next person on the list. A fee of $1750 will be required from each participant selected in the draw and chooses to participate.
This project is funded through use of fish and each station comes with an allotment of 760 kg (1675 lbs) of Atlantic Halibut (round weight). The fisher is permitted to go to a location of their choice after the scientific sampling is complete to catch their 760 kg allotment. An approved observer is required for all scientific trips. Any trip to catch the remainder of the allotment will require regular commercial observer coverage (10%).
Registration Dates/Times: 8:30AM Tuesday, July 15th 2025 to 4:30PM Tuesday, July 22nd, 2025.
Location: Farm Centre, 420 University Avenue, Charlottetown
Registration Fee: No fee for registration of the draw.
Observer coverage: 100% on scientific stations, 10% on remaining trips
How to Register: Preferred method of registration is ONLINE at www.peifa.org. Other methods of registration are: in person, by phone or arrangements can also be made with the buyers/coops with proper authorization.
Online registration opens Tuesday, July 15th 2025 and closes Tuesday, July 22nd 2025.
Required Information: Captain’s name, phone #, FIN #, Groundfish license #, vessel name, VRN# and preferred site (s) are required. Vessels must be transferred into the participants name and vessel registration fees must be paid at the time of registration (2 participants can not register with the same boat). The vessel you register with is the vessel that must be used to complete your science survey site and your allotment. Captains must be on-board the vessel for the survey site as well as the allotment trips
Draw Date: July 23rd 2025 after the completion of the Registration.
Sampling Protocol/Fisher Requirements:
Each fisher selected is required to complete one scientific station according to the protocol.
1.) Fishing:
a. 500 circular hooks size # 14/0 (15.4 mm);
b. Longline is set starting 0.5 nautical miles from the station and continuing in a straight line passing through the station coordinates.
c. Fishing must be carried out during the day (4:30am – 9:30pm)
d. Immersion time (soak time) will be between 4-6 hours
e. Bait: Frozen herring or mackerel
f. Condition of each hook will be noted on the catch sheet (hook with bait, hook without bait or capture)
g. When a Halibut, cod or redfish comes on board the observer records length at the fork (to the nearest centimeter) of all captured fish and then they are returned to the water.
h. All captured halibut in good condition at the sampling station must be tagged and returned to the water
i. When retained the sex of the fish must be recorded (male, female, immature, unknown)
j. Note in comments any predation as well as any other important information
k. Survey stations need to be completed between August 15th and October 15th, 2025. When the station duties are completed, there may be additional time granted to obtain the allocated amount of halibut (up to 760 kg). After completion of station duties, the Captain may fish for the remainder of the allocated halibut in areas outside the station in locations of the Captain’s choosing.
2.) Other responsibilities
a. The Captain will be responsible to cover all of the cost of station completion. The Captain will pay the advance fee of $1750.00 to the PEIFA which covers the cost of observer coverage, admin and tagging/project costs. This advanced fee will need to be paid within 3 days of Captain selection.
b. The Captain is expected to cover the costs of the following (but not limited to); crew, vessel, fuel, bait, dockside monitoring fees, etc. Captain will supply the longlines and hooks as per protocol.
c. The Captain is required to assist the observer in data collection and halibut tagging when possible.
d. The Captain agrees that he shall maintain third party liability insurance on his vessel (in the amount of $2,000,000.00 per occurrence on his vessel).
e. The Captain will be required to sign a contract with the PEIFA agreeing to the DFO protocol, advanced fee and insurance requirements.
f. Vessels must be transferred into the participants name and vessel registration fees must be paid at the time of registration (2 participants can not register with the same boat). The vessel you register with is the vessel that must be used to complete your science survey site and your allotment. Captains must be on-board the vessel for the survey site as well as the allotment trips
*Disclaimer: Certain fishing gear requirements (length of gangions and distance between gangions) will be decided at a later time and shared via this protocol when decisions are made by DFO.
For additional information please call Melanie Giffin at the PEIFA Office at (902) 566-4050 ext. 5.
Telephone: (902) 566-4050
Fax: 902-368-3748
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