Fisheries and Oceans Canada

DFO advises that Bluefin tuna fishery for vessels fishing homewaters in NAFO Divisions 3KLNOP will open at 0600 hours on Saturday, July 1, 2023.

Tags are only available to those harvesters who have declared they will fish homewaters and must be purchased by August 4, 2023.

Licence conditions are available on the National Online Licensing System (NOLS). Observer coverage must be paid prior to tag purchase.

Tuna tags and ICCAT forms are available at DFO Detachment offices in Bay Roberts, Clarenville and Marystown. Harvesters are asked to contact DFO Detachment offices to arrange tag pick up.

Harvesters are reminded that the use of VMS is mandatory for the 2023 season.

Harvesters are also reminded that there is a new logbook for the 2023 season that can be picked up at the Fish Harvesters’ Resource Centres.

Angling gear only may be used while fishing within 12 nautical miles of the nearest point of land.

Bluefin tuna harvesters are encouraged to return tuna heads to one of the locations listed in the Conservation Harvesting Plan.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2022-257 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-117 comes into effect on July 1, 2023.

"Notices to Fish Harvesters" for all commercial fisheries are now available online under the Fishery Notices link on the DFO NL Region webpage at Newfoundland and Labrador Region

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