Prince Edward Island’s 2011 tuna fleet has been trimmed to 13 boats. That’s how many tuna, at one tag per boat, remain to be caught according to this year’s management plan.
As of Thursday, Island boats had landed 122,789 kilograms of tuna, leaving just under 5,000 kilograms remaining in this year’s Prince Edward Island quota allocation of 127,540 kilograms.
In mid October it was determined there was enough quota remaining for 66 to 68 more fish to be caught. A draw was made from all licensed tuna fishermen to decide which 66 boats would get one tag each. The fishery reopened on Oct. 19 and since then 53 fish were caught.
Colin MacIsaac, P.E.I. chief of resource management for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, said calculations conducted, based on the average weight of fish caught, indicate that about one metric ton of the Prince Edward Island quota allocation will still be in the water once the remaining fish are caught.
Estimates are based on average landing weights from one week to the next. Throughout September the average weight increased each. This month, however, the average weight has dropped back to what it was around the beginning of September.
Fishermen have indicated they have been paid anywhere from $2 to $30 per pound for their tuna catches, with the average price somewhere in the $12 to $15 range.
However much quota remains uncaught once the remaining 13 fish are landed will be applied towards next year’s quota.
“We wanted to err on the side of caution†MacIsaac said, explaining why the number of tags was capped at 66 when the season resumed Oct. 19 rather than risk exceeding the quota allocation.
