Shellfish

DFO advises that the Whelk Fishery in 3Ps will close on August 21, 2026, at 2000 hours. It is expected that the quota will be reached by then.

Notices to Fish Harvesters for all commercial fisheries are available online in the Fishery Notices section of the DFO Newfoundland and Labrador Region webpage at Newfoundland and Labrador Region.

If you would like to have all Notices to Fish Harvesters for commercial fisheries sent to you directly by email, please contact: NLPRI@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

DFO advises that the commercial squid fishery will open for jiggers and traps in Squid Fishing Areas 1 – 14 at 0600 hours on August 10, 2026.

Licence fees and licence conditions will soon be available to commercial licence holders through the National Online Licensing System (NOLS).

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-273 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-139 will come into effect on August 08, 2026.

Notices to Fish Harvesters for all commercial fisheries are available online in the Fishery Notices section of the DFO Newfoundland and Labrador Region webpage at Newfoundland and Labrador Region.

If you would like to have all Notices to Fish Harvesters for commercial fisheries sent to you directly by email, please contact: NLPRI@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

DFO advises that, for the 2026 fishing season only, the portion of Scallop Fishing Area 11 at Long Harbour Fortune Bay inside Tickle Beach greater than 5 fathoms will open for commercial scallop fishing on August 14, 2026 at 0600 hours.

This is a one-year pilot that will be reviewed in consultation with stakeholders prior to next season.

Harvesters should refer to conditions of license, available in the National Online Licensing System (NOLS), for the exact fishing area coordinates and other conditions of license.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-078 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-130 will come into force on August 06, 2026.

Notices to Fish Harvesters for all commercial fisheries are available online in the Fishery Notices section of the DFO Newfoundland and Labrador Region webpage at Newfoundland and Labrador Region.

If you would like to have all Notices to Fish Harvesters for commercial fisheries sent to you directly by email, please contact: NLPRI@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
 

DFO advises that, for the 2026 fishing season only, the portion of Scallop Fishing Area 11 North of 47°00’N westward from McCallum (Headlands) to Burgeo (Mercer’s Point) in water depths greater than 30 fathoms, will open to commercial Iceland scallop fishing on August 14, 2026 at 0600 hours.

This is a one-year pilot that will be reviewed in consultation with stakeholders prior to next season.

Harvesters should refer to conditions of license, available in the National Online Licensing System (NOLS), for the exact fishing area coordinates and other conditions of license.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-078 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-130 will come into force on August 06, 2026.

Notices to Fish Harvesters for all commercial fisheries are available online in the Fishery Notices section of the DFO Newfoundland and Labrador Region webpage at Newfoundland and Labrador Region.

If you would like to have all Notices to Fish Harvesters for commercial fisheries sent to you directly by email, please contact: NLPRI@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
 

DFO advises that the commercial Scallop fishery in Area 9 (Inner St. Mary's Bay) in NAFO Division 3L will open at 0600 hours Friday, August 7, 2026 for harvesters in the following Vessel Class: C4701.

Harvesters are reminded that information returns (logbooks) are a requirement for this fishery.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-078 has been revoked and Variation Order 2026-130 comes into effect on August 6, 2026.

Notices to Fish Harvesters for all commercial fisheries are available online in the Fishery Notices section of the DFO Newfoundland and Labrador Region webpage at Newfoundland and Labrador Region.

If you would like to have all Notices to Fish Harvesters for commercial fisheries sent to you directly by email, please contact: NLPRI@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
 

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) advises that the 3Ps Shrimp beam trawl fishery in the 3Ps portion of Shrimp Fishing Area (SFA) 7, for vessels less than 65 feet, based in NAFO sub-division 3Ps is open.

Fishing is authorized to begin once licence holders pay their licence fees and receive their licence conditions. Licence fees and licence conditions are currently being uploaded in the National Online Licensing System (NOLS).

Notices to Fish Harvesters for all commercial fisheries are available online in the Fishery Notices section of the DFO Newfoundland and Labrador Region webpage at Newfoundland and Labrador Region.

If you would like to have all Notices to Fish Harvesters for commercial fisheries sent to you directly by email, please contact: NLPRI@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
 

DFO advises that the Snow Crab fishery in NAFO Division 3LNO will be extended and will now close at 2000 hours on August 14, 2026 in the following areas:

Inshore:
• 5A Inner
• 5A Outer
• 6A Inner 
• 6A Outer 
• 6B Inner 
• 6B Outer
• 6C
• 8A
• 9A Inner 
• 9A Outer
 
Small Supplementary: 
• NS 
• MS 
• 8B 
• 8BxN

Full Time and Large Supplementary: 
• MS 
• MS-EX 
• 3L-EX 
• 3L-200 
• 3N-200

Midshore (>65'): 
• 3NO 200

DFO reminds harvesters that the area of 8BxS closed July 15, 2026.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-100 has been revoked and Variation Order 2026-118 will come into force on July 24, 2026.

Notices to Fish Harvesters for all commercial fisheries are available online in the Fishery Notices section of the DFO Newfoundland and Labrador Region webpage at Newfoundland and Labrador Region.

If you would like to have all Notices to Fish Harvesters for commercial fisheries sent to you directly by email, please contact: NLPRI@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
 

DFO advises that the Whelk fishery will open in NAFO Division 4R (fishing area 13 and 14) at 0600 hours on July 15, 2026.

Notices to Fish Harvesters for all commercial fisheries are available online in the Fishery Notices section of the DFO Newfoundland and Labrador Region webpage at Newfoundland and Labrador Region.

If you would like to have all Notices to Fish Harvesters for commercial fisheries sent to you directly by email, please contact: NLPRI@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
 

Fisheries and Oceans Canada advises that the inshore Shrimp fishery in NAFO division 3L portion of Shrimp Fishing Area (SFA) 7 will open for vessels less than 90 feet, based in NAFO Divisions 3K south and 3L, at 0600 hours on July 10, 2026.

Licence fees and licence conditions will soon be available on the National Online Licensing System (NOLS).

Notices to Fish Harvesters for all commercial fisheries are available online in the Fishery Notices section of the DFO Newfoundland and Labrador Region webpage at Newfoundland and Labrador Region.

If you would like to have all Notices to Fish Harvesters for commercial fisheries sent to you directly by email, please contact: NLPRI@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
 

DFO advises that the Snow Crab season for all areas in Crab Fishing Areas 10 (10A, 10B) and 11 (11E, 11S, 11W) in NAFO sub-Division 3Ps, will be extended to 2000 hours on July 14, 2026.

Harvesters in CFA 11E (including the area known as Bob's Rock) are advised that landings are currently being assessed and over 90% of the quota has been landed to date. As the harvesting amount is approaching the maximum allowable catch for this area, a short notice for a closure may be possible prior to the closing date.

All gear must be removed from the water by closing time. The Department prioritizes safety at sea and if a harvester is unable to retrieve their gear by the close time due to safety, they are advised to contact their local C&P detachment.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-089 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-099 will come into force on  July 4, 2026.

Notices to Fish Harvesters for all commercial fisheries are available online in the Fishery Notices section of the DFO Newfoundland and Labrador Region webpage at Newfoundland and Labrador Region.

If you would like to have all Notices to Fish Harvesters for commercial fisheries sent to you directly by email, please contact: NLPRI@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.