Entries

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) advises the public of the closure for the harvesting of all bivalve shellfish including 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, (except sea scallops), northern moon snails, waved whelks, and Stimpson's whelks for recreational or commercial purposes in the following areas effective 1400 hours on July 14, 2023:

From Robinsons Head (at Lat 48.26058 Long -58.80971), southwest to a point at Lat 47.87155 Long -59.59548, and then southeast to a point at Lat 47.53886 Long -59.35378, and east to the headland at Indian Harbour (Lat 47.63997, Long -58.4232).

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-2023-004 comes into effect at 1400 hours on July 14, 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)

Harvesters are reminded to contact the Department by the following deadlines if they are selecting the 3KL fall only period and/or selecting a fishing area outside of their homeport (i.e., 2J to 3KL or 3KL to 2J). 

FALL FISHERY OPTION:

Fish harvesters selecting the 3KL fall only fishery option MUST indicate their intention via e-mail to Robyn.Lee@dfo-mpo.gc.ca by Monday, July 17, 2023. 

Any 3KL harvester who does not select the 3KL fall only fishery option by this deadline will receive conditions authorizing them to fish the regular season (July 23 – November 4).  

FISHING OUTSIDE HOMEPORT OPTION:

Harvesters may select to change their fishing area outside of their homeport. Fish harvesters opting to change their fishing area MUST indicate their intention via e-mail to Robyn.Lee@dfo-mpo.gc.ca by Friday, July 21, 2023. Requests for a change in fishing area after July 21, 2023 will not be accepted. 

Harvesters must provide their FULL NAME, FIN, and HOMEPORT in their email(s) and their requested option(s). 

DFO advises that the capelin fishery for vessels using mobile gear will open on July 14, 2023, at 0600 hours in Bonavista Bay and Trinity Bay (Capelin Fishing Areas 5 and 6).

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2023-132 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-135 comes into effect on July 13, 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 Snow Crab fishery will open at 0600 hours on Saturday July 15, 2023 for NAFO divisions 2J North of 54 40. This fishery will close at 2400 hours on Thursday, August 31, 2023.

Fish Harvesters are also reminded that all designations to participate in this fishery are issued by the Nunatsiavut Government and Torngat Fisheries Cooperative Limited and must be in place prior to participating.

Licence fees and licence conditions are available through the National Online Licencing System (NOLS).

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2023-133 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-134 comes into effect on July 13, 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 capelin fishery for vessels using mobile gear in Trinity Bay and Conception Bay (Capelin Fishing Area 6 & 7) will close on July 11, 2023 at 22:00 hours.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2023-128 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-132 comes into effect at 1800 hours on July 11, 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 Snow crab fishery will now close at 2000 hours on Saturday, July 22, 2023 in select Crab Management Areas in NAFO Divisions 3LNO. This season extensions applies exclusively to the following Crab Management Area:

Small Supplementary:

8Bx south

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2023-130 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-133 comes into effect on July 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: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca 
 

DFO advises that the Atlantic Halibut fishery in NAFO Division 4R for Quebec-based vessel classes A2343 to A2456 will open at 0430 hours EDT on July 14, 2023 and close on September 22, 2023 at 2359 hours EDT.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2023-121 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-131 comes into effect on July 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: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO advises of the season dates and catch limits for the 2023 2J3KL Northern cod Stewardship fishery as indicated below.

Season Dates:

In NAFO division 2J, the fishery is scheduled to open on Sunday, July 23 and is scheduled to close on Saturday October 14, 2023.

In NAFO divisions 3KL, the fishery is scheduled to open on Sunday, July 23 and is scheduled to close on Saturday November 4, 2023.

Catch Limits (all weights are round weight):

In NAFO division 2J, the following 2023 base bi-weekly authorized catch limits for cod apply:

July 23 - September 2: 30,000 lbs base bi-weekly

September 3 - October 14: 40,000 lbs base bi-weekly

In NAFO divisions 3KL, the following 2023 base weekly authorized catch limits for cod apply:

July 23 – September 9: 3,850 lbs base/week

September 10 - November 4: 8,500 lbs base bi-weekly

For fish harvesters that have acquired additional cod shares through enterprise combining adjusted catch limits will be identified in their licence conditions.

To promote the distribution of catch throughout the season in 2023, harvesters will have the option of fishing the regular season at the weekly base catch limits identified above, or they may opt to fish only during the fall from September 10 to November 4, 2023 in 3KL.

Fall only Fishery Option (applicable to NAFO Divisions 3KL only):

Fish harvesters that choose the 3KL fall only fishery option will not be able to fish prior to September 10 and may only fish from September 10 - November 4, 2023 with a limit of 17,000 lbs base bi-weekly (round weight).

Fish harvesters that want to avail of the 3KL fall only fishery option MUST indicate their intention via e-mail to Robyn.Lee@dfo-mpo.gc.ca  by Monday, July 17, 2023.

Harvesters must provide their FULL NAME, FIN, HOMEPORT in their email.

Any harvester who does not select the fall only fishery option by the deadline will receive conditions authorizing them to fish in the same NAFO area as their homeport. A 2J based licence holder will receive conditions for July 23 - October 14 and a 3KL based licence holder will receive conditions for the regular season (July 23 - November 4) at the catch limits identified above.

Should in-season adjustments to catch limits or seasons be required, industry will be consulted and updates will be communicated to harvesters via a Notice to Fishers.

The Conservation and Harvesting Plan (CHP) will be available online soon at: Decisions for Atlantic Canada, Quebec and the Arctic - 2023

Additional changes to note for 2023:

New for 2023: Prior to submitting your 2023 groundfish logbook you must make and maintain a copy of each fishing trip, which must be available for inspection upon request of a Fishery Officer.

As in previous years, fish harvesters will have the option to change their fishing area outside of their homeport (i.e. 2J to 3KL, or 3KL to 2J). 

New for 2023: A harvester wishing to change their fishing area must indicate their intention via e-mail to Robyn.Lee@dfo-mpo.gc.ca  no later than July 21, 2023.

DFO advises that the Snow crab fishery has been extended for all Crab Fishing Areas (CFAs) in NAFO sub-Division 3Ps (10A, 10B, 11S, 11W and 11E). The fishery in this area will now close at 2000 hours on July 21, 2023.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2023-118 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-130 comes into effect on July 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: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO advises that the Snow Crab fishery has been extended for NAFO Division 3K and will now close at 2000 hours on the dates listed below for the following Crab Fishing Areas:

Areas 3B, 3BC, 3C, 3D, and Area 4: Closing July 21, 2023

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2023-118 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-130 comes into effect on July 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: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca