Vessels
AFA owns and operates two 30 metre (99’) steel fixed-gear fishing vessels: the Suvak and the Kiviuq. They are sister ships and are equipped with freezing-at-sea capabilities. The Suvak operates in NAFO divisions 0A and 0B during the summer months, catching AFA’s Nunavut turbot quotas. The Kiviuq conducts marine research and delivers supplies to AFA’s owner communities during the summer and fishes Atlantic halibut off Newfoundland on the Grand Banks in the winter.
In keeping with AFA’s commitment to sustainability, the Suvak fishes exclusively using gillnets. This fixed-gear fishing method minimizes damage to Nunavut’s seafloors as well as by-catch of important Arctic marine mammals. The Kiviuq fishes using hook-and-line gear off of Atlantic Canada. Like gillnets, this fixed-gear fishing method is effective at minimizing seafloor disturbances and by-catch of vulnerable species.
AFA’s fixed-gear fishing methods also offer advantages that support our vision for returning the benefits of Nunavut’s fisheries to our owner communities. Compared to mobile gear, fixed-gear:
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Uses less fuel, minimizing operating costs and increasing profits
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Catches larger fish, allowing juvenile turbot to mature and reproduce before being harvested
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More labour intensive, creating additional crew positions for Inuit and Nunavummiut
Specifications for both vessels are as follows:
Attributes |
Suvak & Kiviuq |
Length (m) |
28.53 |
Net Tonnage |
199.38 |
Vessel Breadth (m) |
7.77 |
Vessel Depth (m) |
5.30 |
Speed (knots) |
12.0 |
Propulsion Power |
625 |
Fish Hold Size (t) |
165 |
Construction Type |
Carvel/Flush |
Construction Material |
Steel |
Year Built |
1987 |
Engine Type |
Diesel |
Builder Name |
Pictou Industries Limited |