July 9, 2013              

MONCTON, New Brunswick – The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of  Fisheries and Oceans, announced today a second retention period during the  current limited recreational Striped bass fishery in the Southern Gulf of St.  Lawrence. This area includes the Maritime Provinces adjacent to the Gulf of St.  Lawrence.

“Following a first retention fishery in May, I am pleased to  announce that a second retention period for Striped bass will take place in  early August,” stated Minister Ashfield. “Fisheries and  Oceans Canada remains committed to the long-term sustainability of Striped bass  by ensuring conservation while allowing some recreational fisheries  opportunities,” said Minister Ashfield.

Based on monitoring reports from the May 1-15, 2013, retention fishery,  the Department will allow a second retention fishery while maintaining  long-term stock sustainability.

This second limited recreational retention fishery will be open from  August 2 to August 11, 2013. During that time, anglers will be able to catch  and retain a maximum of one Striped bass per day and will be prohibited from  possessing more than one Striped bass at any given time. Following the  retention period, there will be a catch and release fishery from August 12,  2013 until September 30, 2013 inclusively.

The Striped bass commercial fishery, which has been closed since 1996  for conservation purposes, will remain closed.

The Department will continue to compile data until the end of the catch  and release fishery, September 30, 2013, and encourages the public’s  participation in this data collection.   Catch report forms are available on the Gulf Region website. All catch report  forms regarding the Striped bass limited recreational fishery should be  completed and returned to Fisheries and Oceans by October 11, 2013.

This  season, the province of Quebec announced a limited recreational catch and  release Striped bass fishery would take place this summer in one portion of the  southern Gaspe Peninsula from June 15 to September 30, 2013. The public is  reminded to verify the website belonging to the Ministère du Développement  durable, Environnement, Faune et Parcs for additional details (French only).

Anyone wishing to report suspicious fishing activity is asked to contact  the nearest Fisheries and Oceans Canada office or to call Crime Stoppers at  1-800-222-8477.