Source: Journal Pioneer
Prince Edward Island’s tuna fleet exceeded the province’s tuna allocation this year by 1.1751 ton, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Chief of Resource Management for P.E.I. reports.
The department issued a variation order on Oct. 4, indicating the fishery would be closing at 6 p.m. that day because the quota was close to being filled.
There were 23,784 MT remaining, out of a total allocation of 126,245 MT, when the fishery reopened at 5 a.m. on Oct. 3 and that got gobbled up quickly. Fifty-seven fish were landed on Wednesday.
In all, the Island fleet landed 435 big fish this year.
The 1.1751 MT that the fleet went over its quota represents about three fish, said resource management chief Colin MacIsaac. That weight will be taken off the Island’s 2013 quota. There were 23 fish landed by the Island fleet Thursday, Oct. 4. The department issued 96 tags prior to the re-opening of the fishery on Oct. 3.
As in past years, MacIsaac said there is no reimbursement of unused tags.
With weights heavier than in August and September, fewer fish than expected were needed to fill the quota.