Communal Fishery
Salmon Fishery
Labrador Metis Nation Communal Fishing Licence:
Guidelines for the 2009 Salmon Fishery
Guidelines to follow for Salmon Fishery Designates:
1. Only one Fisher can be designated per household.
2. A maximum of six (6) tags will be issued per household.
3. The Designate must be a card carrying member of the Labrador Metis Nation and a current resident of Labrador (six month resident criteria).
4.Designates or their appointed Alternate Fisher may only fish for the purpose of food, social and ceremonial purposes. The Designate or his/her appointed Alternate Fisher may not fish for the purpose of sale, trade, or barter.
5. All fishing gear must be clearly marked with the full name of the Designate.
6. The Designate must provide proof of designation (membership card and/or designation slip) to any Fisheries Officer or Fisheries Guardian upon request and must cooperate fully with Labrador Metis Nation Fishery Monitors.
7. Compliance with the Fisheries Act and the Regulations under the Fisheries Act is a condition of this Communal Fishing Licence.
8.All unused Salmon tags must be returned to Fishery Guardians at the end of the fishing season.
9.Designations are personal and non-transferable.
Criteria for Alternates:
1.The Metis Designate can choose an Alternate to fish for him/her. The reason for choosing an Alternate must be given.
2. A Non-Metis spouse/partner/ can be chosen as an Alternate Fisher. (This is the only instance whereby a non-Metis can fish under this licence.)
3.If no person within the household is chosen as the Alternate Fisher, the Designate can choose an Alternate who is a card carrying member of the Labrador Metis Nation within the community in which he/she resides.
4.An Alternate can only be listed as fisher for one Designate at a time. All catch logs must be submitted before fishing for another Designate.
5. A maximum of four (4) tags can be fished for a Designate by an Alternate.
Guidelines for the Community Fridge Option (Salmon):
1.To qualify for the Special Allocation the card carrying member must be 65 years of age or older, or have a disability.
2. Only one designation is permitted per household.
3.A maximum of three (3) salmon will be distributed per household.
4.The Special Allocation will be harvested by selected members only of the Labrador Metis Nation in the communal fishing area.
5.If this option is chosen, no other designation can be obtained.
Catch Logs must be returned to the LMN.
*See attached sheet for information on Harvest Conditions for Specific Species.
Harvesting Conditions: Species (Food)
-Trout, Char, and Salmon
Fishing Gear:
-Nets may only be set in a straight line.
-Nylon twine is only permitted in nets, monofilament nets are strictly prohibited.
-Nets are not to be left unattended for a period of more than 48 hours.
-No nets to be set in inland waters.
-Fishing by means of gill nets is permitted in tidal waters.
-The maximum length of net permitted per household is 25 fathom.
-For the period of July 6-August 15, only nets with a mesh size of not less than 89 mm (3.5 inches) but not more than 102 mm (4 inches) may be used.
-For agreement with fisheries regulations and for the purpose of conservation of these species the "weekend take-up" will be enforced.
Harvest Limits:
Trout and Char - Fifty in total of either one or both species.
Salmon – Six salmon per designate or four salmon per designate if assigning an alternate fisher or two salmon from the community fridge.
Dates and Times:
Fishing with nets in tidal waters is permitted from July 06-August 15.
Fishing Areas: From Fish Cove to Cape Charles.
Designations: See above guidelines.
Monitoring and Catch Reporting:
-Each salmon that a Designated Fisher catches must be tagged.
The given tags must be firmly fastened through the gills and mouth and securely locked.
-No person may be in possession of a salmon unless it is tagged as outlined.
-If a designated fisher has used his/her 2007 salmon food tags or if the quota has been caught and he/she continues to fish for other species and continues also to catch salmon, the Fishery Officer or a Fishery Guardian may request that the gear be removed from the water and/or relocated.
-All unused salmon food fishery tags must be returned to the Labrador Metis nation at the end of the fishing season.
Other Provisions:
-Angling for trout and char is permitted at any time of the year in tidal waters.
-Angling for trout and char in inland waters is permitted in accordance with General Application.
-Angling for Atlantic salmon is permitted in accordance with conditions outlines in the Integrated Atlantic Salmon Management Plan. In inland waters only fishing by angling is permitted; no nets.
-Daily bag limit for trout and char taken by angling is twelve (12) fish.
-Salmon limited to number of received tags per Designate.
Species (Food)
Herring, Scallop and Whelk
Gear and Gear Identification:
-Only gillnets permitted.
-Max mesh size 2 5/8 inches (67mm)
-No monofilament in netting.
-Max of one (1) gillnet of 20 fathoms.
-Head ropes at least one (1) fathom below the water surface.
-Gillnets must be parallel to the shore.
-All gear must be clearly marked with Full Name of Designate.
-May fish scallop with dip nets, hand rakes, drag and scuba gear (one drag per vessel).
-Whelk pots, 5 pots per Designated fisher.
-All gear must be clearly marked with Full Name of Designate.
Harvest Limits:
-Any herring caught as a by-catch may be kept by LMN members for domestic use.
-No more than 50 scallop per Designate per day, and possession limit is 100 scallops
-All whelks kept must be a minimum of 63 mm in overall length.
Dates and Times:
-Herring: Fishing by means of nets in tidal waters is permitted from Sept 01-Sept 30.
-Scallop and Whelk: Any time during the year.
Fishing Areas:
-All tidal waters from Fish Cove to Cape Charles.
Species (Food):
Smelt, Seals (Harp, Grey, Ringed, Bearded and Hooded)
Gear and Gear Identification:
-Smelt: Only Angling gear permitted.
-Seals: Use of rifles limited to those that produce a muzzle velocity greater than 1,800 feet per second or a muzzle energy greater than 1, 100 foot pounds.
-Absolutely no netting of seals.
Harvest Limits:
Restricted to amount required for food, social and ceremonial purposes.
Dates and Times:
Anytime during the year.
Fishing Areas:
Tidal waters of the area from Fish Cove to Cape Charles.
Other Provisions:
Harvesting of whitecoats is prohibited.
Note: It is mandatory that fishing logs are returned this season - tags will not be issued next season if catch logs are not returned.
Guidelines for the 2009 Salmon Fishery
Guidelines to follow for Salmon Fishery Designates:
1. Only one Fisher can be designated per household.
2. A maximum of six (6) tags will be issued per household.
3. The Designate must be a card carrying member of the Labrador Metis Nation and a current resident of Labrador (six month resident criteria).
4.Designates or their appointed Alternate Fisher may only fish for the purpose of food, social and ceremonial purposes. The Designate or his/her appointed Alternate Fisher may not fish for the purpose of sale, trade, or barter.
5. All fishing gear must be clearly marked with the full name of the Designate.
6. The Designate must provide proof of designation (membership card and/or designation slip) to any Fisheries Officer or Fisheries Guardian upon request and must cooperate fully with Labrador Metis Nation Fishery Monitors.
7. Compliance with the Fisheries Act and the Regulations under the Fisheries Act is a condition of this Communal Fishing Licence.
8.All unused Salmon tags must be returned to Fishery Guardians at the end of the fishing season.
9.Designations are personal and non-transferable.
Criteria for Alternates:
1.The Metis Designate can choose an Alternate to fish for him/her. The reason for choosing an Alternate must be given.
2. A Non-Metis spouse/partner/ can be chosen as an Alternate Fisher. (This is the only instance whereby a non-Metis can fish under this licence.)
3.If no person within the household is chosen as the Alternate Fisher, the Designate can choose an Alternate who is a card carrying member of the Labrador Metis Nation within the community in which he/she resides.
4.An Alternate can only be listed as fisher for one Designate at a time. All catch logs must be submitted before fishing for another Designate.
5. A maximum of four (4) tags can be fished for a Designate by an Alternate.
Guidelines for the Community Fridge Option (Salmon):
1.To qualify for the Special Allocation the card carrying member must be 65 years of age or older, or have a disability.
2. Only one designation is permitted per household.
3.A maximum of three (3) salmon will be distributed per household.
4.The Special Allocation will be harvested by selected members only of the Labrador Metis Nation in the communal fishing area.
5.If this option is chosen, no other designation can be obtained.
Catch Logs must be returned to the LMN.
*See attached sheet for information on Harvest Conditions for Specific Species.
Harvesting Conditions: Species (Food)
-Trout, Char, and Salmon
Fishing Gear:
-Nets may only be set in a straight line.
-Nylon twine is only permitted in nets, monofilament nets are strictly prohibited.
-Nets are not to be left unattended for a period of more than 48 hours.
-No nets to be set in inland waters.
-Fishing by means of gill nets is permitted in tidal waters.
-The maximum length of net permitted per household is 25 fathom.
-For the period of July 6-August 15, only nets with a mesh size of not less than 89 mm (3.5 inches) but not more than 102 mm (4 inches) may be used.
-For agreement with fisheries regulations and for the purpose of conservation of these species the "weekend take-up" will be enforced.
Harvest Limits:
Trout and Char - Fifty in total of either one or both species.
Salmon – Six salmon per designate or four salmon per designate if assigning an alternate fisher or two salmon from the community fridge.
Dates and Times:
Fishing with nets in tidal waters is permitted from July 06-August 15.
Fishing Areas: From Fish Cove to Cape Charles.
Designations: See above guidelines.
Monitoring and Catch Reporting:
-Each salmon that a Designated Fisher catches must be tagged.
The given tags must be firmly fastened through the gills and mouth and securely locked.
-No person may be in possession of a salmon unless it is tagged as outlined.
-If a designated fisher has used his/her 2007 salmon food tags or if the quota has been caught and he/she continues to fish for other species and continues also to catch salmon, the Fishery Officer or a Fishery Guardian may request that the gear be removed from the water and/or relocated.
-All unused salmon food fishery tags must be returned to the Labrador Metis nation at the end of the fishing season.
Other Provisions:
-Angling for trout and char is permitted at any time of the year in tidal waters.
-Angling for trout and char in inland waters is permitted in accordance with General Application.
-Angling for Atlantic salmon is permitted in accordance with conditions outlines in the Integrated Atlantic Salmon Management Plan. In inland waters only fishing by angling is permitted; no nets.
-Daily bag limit for trout and char taken by angling is twelve (12) fish.
-Salmon limited to number of received tags per Designate.
Species (Food)
Herring, Scallop and Whelk
Gear and Gear Identification:
-Only gillnets permitted.
-Max mesh size 2 5/8 inches (67mm)
-No monofilament in netting.
-Max of one (1) gillnet of 20 fathoms.
-Head ropes at least one (1) fathom below the water surface.
-Gillnets must be parallel to the shore.
-All gear must be clearly marked with Full Name of Designate.
-May fish scallop with dip nets, hand rakes, drag and scuba gear (one drag per vessel).
-Whelk pots, 5 pots per Designated fisher.
-All gear must be clearly marked with Full Name of Designate.
Harvest Limits:
-Any herring caught as a by-catch may be kept by LMN members for domestic use.
-No more than 50 scallop per Designate per day, and possession limit is 100 scallops
-All whelks kept must be a minimum of 63 mm in overall length.
Dates and Times:
-Herring: Fishing by means of nets in tidal waters is permitted from Sept 01-Sept 30.
-Scallop and Whelk: Any time during the year.
Fishing Areas:
-All tidal waters from Fish Cove to Cape Charles.
Species (Food):
Smelt, Seals (Harp, Grey, Ringed, Bearded and Hooded)
Gear and Gear Identification:
-Smelt: Only Angling gear permitted.
-Seals: Use of rifles limited to those that produce a muzzle velocity greater than 1,800 feet per second or a muzzle energy greater than 1, 100 foot pounds.
-Absolutely no netting of seals.
Harvest Limits:
Restricted to amount required for food, social and ceremonial purposes.
Dates and Times:
Anytime during the year.
Fishing Areas:
Tidal waters of the area from Fish Cove to Cape Charles.
Other Provisions:
Harvesting of whitecoats is prohibited.
Note: It is mandatory that fishing logs are returned this season - tags will not be issued next season if catch logs are not returned.
Community Fridge Details
The LMN has always had a strong sense of community and fellowship. This is reflected in the community fridge program.
Metis volunteers on the south coast of Labrador catch and clean salmon, which is then frozen and shipped to Goose Bay. The Goose Bay office then distributes the fish to elders in the Lake Melville area who do not have access to the communal fishery on the south coast.
If you live in the Lake Melville area, are 65 years of age or older; or have a permanent disability and would like to receive salmon for the community fridge please contact the Goose Bay office at 896-0592.
Metis volunteers on the south coast of Labrador catch and clean salmon, which is then frozen and shipped to Goose Bay. The Goose Bay office then distributes the fish to elders in the Lake Melville area who do not have access to the communal fishery on the south coast.
If you live in the Lake Melville area, are 65 years of age or older; or have a permanent disability and would like to receive salmon for the community fridge please contact the Goose Bay office at 896-0592.