Entries

DFO advises that the fishery for Atlantic Halibut in NAFO Division 3NO, for vessel class A361 (Maritimes) using longline will open on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at 0600 hours.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2023-062 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-066 comes into effect on May 9, 2023.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

DFO advises that the Scallop fishery in the 3Ps North Bed in Scallop Fishing Area (SFA) 11 will open at 0600 hours on Wednesday, May 10, 2023.

If you are a 3Ps Scallop licence holder with vessel eligibility of  >50' and you are interested in fishing Scallop on the North Bed in 2023, please contact DFO through the National Online Licensing System (NOLS) to request access and an application for a permit. Those seeking access will be reviewed against policy, before determining whether they will be granted access.

A Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) or Observer coverage is required to fish in the North Bed scallop area.

The North Bed is defined as that portion of Scallop Fishing Area 11, bounded by a line connecting the following coordinates:
-    46 degrees 30.0 minutes North latitude, 57 degrees 28 minutes West longitude to
-    46 degrees 30.0 minutes North latitude, 56 degrees 46 minutes West longitude along the Canada/France boundary to 
-    46 degrees 23 minutes North latitude, 56 degrees 29 minutes West longitude to
-    46 degrees 14 minutes North latitude, 56 degrees 29 minutes West longitude to
-    46 degrees 14.0 minutes North latitude, 57 degrees 28 minutes West longitude to 
-    46 degrees 30.0 minutes North latitude, 57 degrees 28 minutes West longitude.

Fish harvesters are reminded that fishing is not permitted in the Middle Bed, Southern Bed, or the Core Area. These areas are defined in your licence conditions.

Fish harvesters are reminded that they must have at-sea observer coverage services arranged before commencing fishing.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2023-036 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-065 comes into effect on May 4, 2023.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

DFO advises that the 3Ps Scallop fishery in the Core Area will open at 0600 hours on Wednesday, May 10, 2023.

Access to the Core Area is only available by trip permit for historical harvesters. If you meet the criteria and you are interested in fishing in the Core area in 2023, please contact DFO through the National Online Licensing System (NOLS) to request access and an application for a permit. Those seeking access will be reviewed against policy, before determining whether they will be granted access.

The Core Area is defined as that portion of Scallop Fishing Area 11 bounded by a line connecting the following coordinates:
-    46 degrees 52.7 minutes North latitude, 57 degrees 28 minutes West longitude to
-    46 degrees 52.7 minutes North latitude, 56 degrees 29 minutes West longitude to
-    46 degrees 30.0 minutes North latitude, 56 degrees 29 minutes West longitude to
-    46 degrees 30.0 minutes North latitude, 57 degrees 28 minutes West longitude to
-    46 degrees 52.7 minutes North latitude, 57 degrees 28 minutes West longitude.

Fish harvesters are reminded that they must have at-sea observer coverage services arranged before commencing fishing.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2023-036 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-065 comes into effect on May 4, 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

DFO advises that application details regarding the experimental fishery for Unit 1 redfish for the 2023 season are now available at: Experimental Fishing Plan Unit 1 Redfish (2023 season)

"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: daniellenichols@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO advises that the fixed gear herring (bar/tuck seine) fishery for Bonavista Bay (Herring Fishing Area 5) will close at 1600 hours on Tuesday, May 2, 2023.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2023-035 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-064 comes into effect at 1600 hours on May 2, 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: daniellenichols@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO wishes to advise Area 2J Inshore snow crab harvesters that the 2023 buddy-up application is available through the National Online Licensing System (NOLS) 

The Inshore snow crab application can be downloaded and submitted by following Step-By-Step Instructions through NOLS
- Select Submit Request
- Select Request Type – Partnership/Pooling/Buddy Up
- Select Request Subtype – Snow Crab (Less than 40’ fleet)
- Select the Instructions link to open, and save or print the application
- Complete and sign the application
- If saving the signed application to your computer, Select Browse to attach the signed application to your request
- Select Submit

Completed applications received through the National Online Licensing System will be processed in priority as they are received by Licensing staff.

Mail: Fisheries and Oceans Canada, P.O. Box 7003 , Happy Valley Goose Bay, NL A0P1C0

Any harvesters experiencing issues with accessing their online NOLS account, should contact the NOLS Support Line 1-877-535-7307 to have the issue resolved.

For information, contact: Rosie Brown, Licensing, Tel: 709-896-6162

"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

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) advises the public of the re-opening for the harvesting of all bivalve shellfish (Arctic wedge calms, Atlantic razor clams, Atlantic surf clams, bay quahaugs, northern propeller clams, ocean quahaugs, softshell clam, Stimpson's surf clams, bay mussels, blue mussel, horse mussels, American oysters, bay scallops, Iceland scallops, purple hinge rock scallop, sea scallops, northern moon snails, waved whelks, and Stimpson's whelks) for recreational or commercial purposes, effective 1200 hours (noon) on Monday, May 1, 2023 for a portion of Tommy's Arm, Notre Dame Bay as defined by those waters located inside of the following points:

49.472659° N, 55.760129° W,

49.467834° N, 55.772489° W,

49.468113° N, 55.762232° W,

49.471515° N, 55.765108° W,

49.470037° N, 55.789312° W,

49.46471° N, 55.785578° W.

More detailed information on other closed areas can be obtained from the nearest DFO office or the following website:

Check Before You Harvest

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Prohibition Order NSN-2022-048 has been repealed effective 1200 hours (noon) on May 1, 2023.

For more information on the Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program please consult the following website: Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program (CSSP)

DFO advises that the Whelk fishery will open in NAFO Sub-Division 3Ps at 0600 hours on Monday, May 1, 2023.

Fish harvesters are advised that licence conditions are available on the National Online Licensing System (NOLS).

"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: beverly.piccott@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

DFO advises of the following 3K lobster area opening and closing dates:

Note all opening times are 0600 hours and all closing times are 2000 hours.

LFA 3 (Cape Charles to Cape St. John (White Bay): May 13, 2023 to July 15, 2023

LFA 4A (Notre Dame Bay West): May 20, 2023 to July 15, 2023

LFA 4B (Notre Dame Bay East): May 13, 2023 to July 8, 2023

Harvesters are reminded that they are not permitted to retrieve fishing gear or possess lobsters during the initial 48 hour gear-setting period after the opening date.

Harvesters are also reminded they are permitted to harvest bait for the lobster fishery as per the conditions of their bait licence.

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

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2023-061 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-63 comes into effect on April 29, 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: beverly.piccott@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO advises that the directed fishery for Atlantic halibut in NAFO Sub-Division 3Ps will open to the inshore fixed–gear fleet (fixed-gear vessels less than 65 feet - Vessel Classes A251, A254, A257, A260, A263, A266, A269, A272, A275, and A279) at 0600 hours on Monday, May 1, 2023.

Participants in this fishery will have weekly catch limits for Atlantic halibut. Provisions for this fishery are outlined in the species-specific and Groundfish General Licence Conditions, which are available through the National Online Licencing System (NOLS).

Inshore fixed-gear harvesters are further reminded that as per conditions of licence, the daily by-catch limit of cod when directing for Atlantic halibut in 3Ps is limited to 10 per cent or 200 pounds round weight, whichever is greater. DFO will monitor fishing activity and will close the fishery if the by-catch of cod exceeds the established protocols.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2023-027 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-062 comes into effect on April 29, 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: beverly.piccott@dfo-mpo.gc.ca