DFO considers licensing N.L. food fishery
16.07.2008 10:00
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- Source: cbc.ca
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans is considering licensing the recreational cod fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador, after officials discovered the amount of fish caught could be four times what it estimated. CBC News obtained documents under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act that show two different sets of numbers collected by DFO for the 2007 recreational fishery, or food fishery. The 2007 food fishery allowed anyone to catch as many as five fish per day, with a boatload limit of 15 when more than three people are on a vessel. The first set of numbers DFO collected was during the three-week food fishery by fisheries observers who spent time on the water, talking to people and collecting information. The observers then compiled the information and estimated that 542 tonnes of cod fish were taken in the recreational fishery. Suvery shows increased numbersThe second set of numbers were also collected by DFO, by telephone survey, after the food fishery. Wanting to double check its own numbers, the documents show DFO hired a consultant to conduct a survey of about 1,100 people, to see how many fish they reported catching. The consultant concluded that 2,400 tonnes of cod were taken, and that more boats and people were on the water than DFO had thought. Internal DFO memos, also obtained by CBC News, show staff at the department were concerned with the discrepancy in the two sets of numbers. One memo suggests that people exaggerated their catches when doing the phone survey. One official wrote: "The telephone survey appears to be a significant overestimate of the .. . cod catch. [It] is inconsistent with the observed activity ... inconsistent with the cod tagging data, significantly overstates the average fish size and makes no attempt to investigate non-reponse bias." Officials at Statistics Canada reviewed the survey and found it was was statistically valid and conducted properly. The fisheries department is now considering a licensing program for each regional food fishery in the province, that would see people register for the fishery and report the exact number of fish they catch. If the licensing plan is approved, it could be in place by 2010. RelatedInternal LinksFood fishery threatens cod recovery, scientist saysConsumer HeadlinesConservatives blasted for 'grandstanding' on text message feesThe Liberals are blasting the government for "grandstanding" on the new incoming text messaging charges proposed by Bell and Telus.Resale home listings increase, sales slip: real estate associationCanadians put a record number of homes up for sale in the first half of 2008 while sales of residential units slipped, the Canadian Real Estate Association said Tuesday.Products to be stamped with new Made in Canada labels at year-endThe federal government said Tuesday its new Product of Canada regulations will roll out for goods produced after Dec. 31.DFO considers licensing N.L. food fisheryThe Department of Fisheries and Oceans is considering licensing the recreational cod fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador, after officials discovered the amount of fish caught could be four times what it estimated. Rural Sask. lax on new home inspectionsMany new homes built in small Saskatchewan communities are never inspected to make sure they meet the national building code, CBC News has learned. Consumer Life FeaturesFORUMSmartphonesShare your thoughts on iPhone 3G, competitorsTIMELINEJob cuts 2008TRAVELBeer breakTouring the world's best breweriesBLOGFood BytesWanting not to wasteBLOGComm-OdditiesAirlines to begin selling ads on boarding passesPeople who read this also read …
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