Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) advises the public of the closure for the harvesting of all bivalve shellfish including Arctic wedge clams, 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, (except sea scallops), northern moon snails, waved whelks, and Stimpson's whelks for recreational or commercial purposes in the following areas effective 1600 hours on October 23, 2023:

From Grey River Point (at Lat 47.57204 Long -57.11771), Southeast to a point at Lat 47.17014 Long -55.7676, and then Northeast to a point at Friar Head (at Lat 47.58513 Long -55.07872).

As a result, there is reason to believe that the sanitary conditions of the adjacent marine waters may have degraded to the point where accepted water quality standards have been exceeded and the contamination of the water would likely pose a risk to public health if shellfish in the affected area were harvested for consumption.

More detailed information on these 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-2023-005 comes into effect at 1600 hours on October 23, 2023.

In accordance with Appendix VIII of the CSSP Manual of Operations, these areas must remain closed for a minimum of seven days. There will be a Public Notice when the closure is lifted.

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

DFO advises that the tuck/barr seine herring fishery for NAFO Division 2J (Herring Fishing Areas 1 - 2) will close at 1800 hours on Friday, October 20, 2023.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2023-265 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-273 comes into effect on at 1600 hours on October 20, 2023.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 3Ps scallop harvesters that Scallop Fishing Area 11 North of 47 00 N and west of a line drawn from Dantzic Point (46 degrees 59 minutes 32.4 seconds North latitude, 55 degrees 58 minutes 34.8 seconds West longitude) to the Northwest Head of Brunette Island (47 degrees 15 minutes 49 seconds North, 55 degrees 58 minutes 1 second West) to Pass Island Tickle (47 degrees 30 minutes 21 seconds North, 56 degrees 11 minutes 12 seconds West) in water depths greater than 5 fathoms will open at 0600 hours on Saturday, October 21, 2023 and close at 1800 hours on Thursday, December 21, 2023.

Fish harvesters are reminded that fishing is not permitted within the Saint Pierre et Miquelon maritime zone.

Logbook submissions, mandatory hails and landing authorizations remain in effect for vessels less than 50 feet.

Please consult your licence conditions for further information.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2023-271 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-272 comes into effect on October 21, 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: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO advises that the Scallop fishery in the 3Ps North Bed in Scallop Fishing Area (SFA) 11 will reopen at 0600 hours on Saturday, October 21, 2023.

Please note that NEW Conditions of Licence (COLs) will be issued to those harvesters deemed eligible.

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

Fish harvesters are reminded that fishing is not permitted in the Middle Bed, Southern Bed, the Core Area or within the Saint Pierre et Miquelon maritime zone.

These areas are defined in your licence conditions.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2023-271 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-272 comes into effect on October 21, 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: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO advises 3Ps scallop harvesters that select areas in Scallop Fishing Area 11 will open at 0600 hours on October 14, 2023 and close at 1800 hours on December 14, 2023.

The select areas include the areas north of a straight line connecting Point Rosie (47 degrees 23 minutes 24 seconds North latitude, 55 degrees 17 minutes 42 seconds West longitude) to the Northwest Head of Brunette Island (47 degrees 15 minutes 49 seconds North, 55 degrees 58 minutes 1 second West) to Pass Island Tickle (47 degrees 30 minutes 21 seconds North, 56 degrees 11 minutes 12 seconds West). 

Please note that scallop dragging is not permitted in this area in water depths less than 5 fathoms.

Logbook submissions, mandatory hails and landing authorizations remain in effect. These requirements are outlined in licence conditions.
Fish harvesters are reminded that scallop dragging remains closed in water depths less than 30 fathoms in that portion of SFA 11 from Dantzik Point to Point Rosie.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2023-270 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-271 comes into effect on October 14, 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 directed fishery for Atlantic halibut in NAFO Sub-Division 3Ps will reopen 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 Saturday, October 14, 2023. New licence conditions are not required.

DFO also reminds harvesters that the retention of Atlantic halibut as bycatch in other open directed groundfish fisheries in 3Ps remains authorized at this time.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2023-259 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-267 comes into effect on October 12, 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 3Pn portion of the Unit 2 Redfish fishery will close for all Vessel Classes on Friday, October 15, 2023 at 2000 hrs.

"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 Mobile Gear (Purse Seine) Herring fishery will open on Tuesday, October 10, 2023 at 0600 hours in Bonavista Bay, Trinity Bay, Conception Bay and the Southern Shore (Herring Fishing Areas 5, 6, 7 and 8).

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2023-263 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-268 comes into effect on October 7, 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: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca