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February 21, 2021

ATLANTIC HERRING SUSTAINABILITY FRAMEWORK

Dear Sir/Madame;

As you may know, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans has asked the Fisheries Resource Conservation Council (FRCC) to develop a long-term strategic approach to the sustainable management of the Atlantic herring fisheries and the conservation of the resource. During the months of March and April, the FRCC will hold consultations to gather information and input from stakeholders. These sessions will offer all participants the opportunity to voice their views about the herring fishery, propose conservation measures and contribute to the long-term sustainable use of the resource.

Attached is a preliminary list of dates and locations for upcoming consultations. Although changes to the schedule are not expected, we would invite you to check the FRCC website (www.frcc ccrh.ca) or call the Secretariat for the latest information (613) 998-0433.

The Council will soon be sending out invitations to licence holders and other interested parties. In addition, you may want to circulate the schedule to your membership or post on your website, association’s newsletters, bulletin or other communication means.

The Council will be looking at the sustainability of the fisheries and the conservation of the resource and will not be recommending or setting annual harvesting measures such as the Total Allowable Catch (TAC). The Council does not intend to interfere with current ongoing local initiatives and would encourage associations to pursue such work in their respective areas. The following items are provided to illustrate the types of information the Council is seeking:

• major risk factors and threats to the sustainability of the fishery
• existing best practices as well as new solutions or opportunities that would reduce risk factors and address problem areas
• scientific information requirements
• adjustments required to management measures
• handling practices
• management and stewardship initiatives
• role of herring in the ecosystem

If you are planning on presenting to the Council at one of these meetings, we ask you to inform the FRCC Secretariat a few days prior to the meeting. This will ensure that sufficient time is allocated for all presentations. In order to avoid duplication, participants are asked to offer the presentation at only one location. Please note that all briefs and presentations will be posted on the FRCC website. The guidelines for presenters are attached.

The Council would appreciate receiving any documents, published or in draft form, that you feel would be useful in its consideration of the herring fisheries. The Council would like to be as informed as is possible of what is happening in the Atlantic herring fishery. Relevant documents should be sent to the FRCC at P.O. Box 2001, Station D, Ottawa, ON, K1P 5W3, fax (613) 998-1146, or sent to [email protected].

Thank you for your interest in the consultation process.

Yours truly,

Jean Guy d’Entremont
Chairman

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