Canada and France reach agreement in Atlantic halibut negotiations

OTTAWA, ON, Sept. 23, 2024 /CNW/ – Atlantic halibut is found in waters from east of Newfoundland to the northeastern United States. Most of the stock is found in Canadian fisheries waters, with a small percentage of the stock also found within the French Maritime Zone off the coast of St. Pierre and Miquelon. The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of this stock, both to Canadian and French fisheries.

Today, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, announced that following several months of recent negotiations, Canada has reached an agreement with France (in respect of St. Pierre and Miquelon) on a sharing arrangement for Atlantic halibut.

The agreement, reached on September 20, 2024, will allow French harvesters from St. Pierre and Miquelon to catch 3 per cent of the total allowable catch set by Canada. This allocation will allow for measured growth of the St. Pierre and Miquelon Atlantic halibut fishery, while also providing benefits for Canadian coastal communities through French landings of Atlantic halibut in Canadian ports. This agreement supports the health and sustainability of the Atlantic halibut stock and recognizes the importance of this fishery to coastal communities in Atlantic Canada, as well as the significant investments made by Canada and its fishing industry in the development and management of the fishery.

Since 2016, Canada has been working with France to reach an agreement on quota sharing for Atlantic halibut, with officials from Fisheries and Oceans Canada leading the negotiations.

“I am pleased with the outcomes of our negotiations with France. I am confident that we’ve reached an equitable agreement that will ensure the long-term health of the Atlantic halibut stock while supporting the economies and coastal communities of both Canada and France.”

The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

In 2022, Canadian landings of Atlantic halibut were valued at approximately $70 million.The agreement allows French harvesters to target Atlantic halibut in the French Exclusive Economic Zone and in the high seas, but not in Canadian waters.The agreement also provides for greater cooperation on Atlantic halibut science.

International fisheriesAtlantic halibut

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SOURCE Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Canada