Entries

DFO advises fish harvesters that the opening date for the commercial eel fishery in inland waters using eel pots is July 1, 2023.

The season will open to fyke nets on August 15, 2023.

The eel fishery for all gear types will close on October 31, 2023.

Fish harvesters are reminded that closures due to environmental conditions on scheduled salmon rivers will result in closure of the eel fishery on these rivers. During the closures, fish harvesters will be permitted to leave the fyke nets in the rivers. However, the bag on the end of the net must be removed to permit the escapement of salmonids and eels.

"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 Snow Crab fishery has been extended for NAFO Division 3K and will now close at 20:00 hours on the dates listed below for the following Crab Fishing Areas:

Areas 3B, 3BC, 3C, 3D, and Area 4: Closing July 14, 2023

3A: Closing July 29, 2023

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2023-116 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-118 comes into effect on June 24, 2023.

"Notices to Fish Harvesters" for all commercial fisheries are now available online under the Fishery Notices link on the DFO NL Region webpage  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 all Crab Fishing Areas in NAFO sub-Division 3Ps (10A, 10B, 11S, 11W and 11E). The fishery in this area will now close at 2000 hours on July 14, 2023.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2023-116 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-118 comes into effect on June 24, 2023.

"Notices to Fish Harvesters" for all commercial fisheries are now available online under the Fishery Notices link on the DFO NL Region webpage 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 details of the 2023 management measures for the 2J3KLPs Capelin fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador are now available at:

2J3KLPs Capelin Management Plan 2023

Plan de gestion de la pêche du capelan dans les divisions 2J et 3KL et la sous-division 3Ps en 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 in accordance with the soft-shell protocol, the following grid quadrant in Crab Fishing Area 12G in NAFO Division 4R will close to fishing Snow crab at midnight on Saturday, June 24, 2023 due to a high incidence of soft-shell crab:

Grid quadrant P 26-C

This grid will be closed to Snow crab fishing for the remainder of the year. Harvesters should note that all gear in this grid must be removed immediately. Gear must be hauled and not reset on your next fishing trip.

Grid quadrant P 26-C is defined as the area bounded by the following coordinates:

49° 32' 50’’ North, 57° 55' 00” West;

49° 32' 50’’ North, 57° 52' 50” West;

49° 30' 00’’ North, 57° 52' 50” West;

49° 30' 00’’ North, 57° 55' 50” West;

49° 32' 50’’ North, 57° 55' 00” West;

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2023-100 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-116 comes into effect on June 24, 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 Atlantic Halibut fishery in NAFO Sub-Division 3Pn, for vessels less than 65 feet using hook and line gear, will close at 1200 hours on June 24, 2023. The reason for the closure is that the available harvesting cap for this fishery is about to be reached. Fish harvesters are reminded that all fishing gear must be removed from the water by closing time.

"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 Sub-Division 3Pn, for vessels less than 65 feet using hook and line gear, will close at 1200 hours on June 23, 2023. The reason for the closure is that the available harvesting cap for this fishery is about to be reached. Fish harvesters are reminded that all fishing gear must be removed from the water by closing time.

"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 anglers that the portion of Bay de L'Eau River noted below is closed:

- 25 meters above and 25 meters below the counting fence on Bay de L'Eau River located at Latitude 47.43913 degrees and Longitude -54.78154 degrees. 

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2023-067, 2023-068, 2023-069, 2023-070 and 2023-071, have been revoked and Variation Orders 2023-111, 2023-112, 2023-113, 2023-114 and 2023-115 come into effect at 1800 hours on June 21, 2023.

"Notices to Anglers" for all 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 Anglers" sent directly to you by email please contact: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO advises that the 3Ps fixed gear Winter Flounder (Blackback) fishery for vessels less than 65' will open at 0600 hours on Friday June 23, 2023.

Bycatch of Atlantic halibut is permitted, limits are outlined in General Groundfish Conditions.

"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 in 2023, the recreational groundfish fishery will be open for a total of 39 days.

For the 2023 season, there is no requirement for a licence or tags.

Species and Area:

The recreational groundfish fishery will occur in all NAFO areas/subareas around Newfoundland and Labrador, which includes 2GH, 2J3KL, 3Ps, 3Pn and 4R. Three exceptions are the Eastport, Gilbert Bay and Laurentian Channel Marine Protected Areas (MPA) where recreational groundfish fishing will not be permitted.

Season Dates:

Summer Season:

Saturday, July 01, 2023 to Monday, July 03, 2023
Saturday, July 08, 2023 to Monday, July 10, 2023
Saturday, July 15, 2023 to Monday, July 17, 2023
Saturday, July 22, 2023 to Monday, July 24, 2023
Saturday, July 29, 2023 to Monday, July 31, 2023
Saturday, August 05, 2023 to Monday, August 07, 2023
Saturday, August 12, 2023 to Monday, August 14, 2023
Saturday, August 19, 2023 to Monday, August 21, 2023
Saturday, August 26, 2023 to Monday, August 28, 2023
Saturday, September 02, 2023 to Monday, September 04, 2023

Fall Season:

Saturday, September 23, 2023 to Sunday, October 01, 2023. Recreational fishers are limited to five (5) groundfish per day (including Cod). However, the maximum boat limit when three or more people are fishing is 15 groundfish.

Provisions will continue that allow a person with a disability to designate a person to catch their daily limit of groundfish. First time applicants are required to download, complete and have their doctor/ophthalmologist complete a section of the form. Applicants are encouraged to submit their application electronically, via email. Applications received via regular mail may result in delays to processing your application. 

The disability designation form and details on all applicable Management Measures will be available by end of day June 20, 2023 online at Decisions for Atlantic Canada, Quebec and the Arctic - 2023

For 2023, tour boat operators will be eligible to apply for a licence to seek an increased trip limit. This licence will have harvest reporting requirements.

For safety reasons, fishing is only permitted from one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset. The public is reminded to follow safe boating practices and be aware of local weather and sea conditions before leaving port.

Participants in the recreational groundfish fishery are further reminded to inspect their catch carefully for pink or yellow tags, located on the back of the fish. The tags are uniquely numbered and have a DFO address and reward value ($10 or $100) printed on them. Participants should return the tag along with the location and date of capture, and include their mailing address, to claim the tag reward.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2022-244 and 2022-245 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2023-106 and 2023-107 come into effect on June 21, 2023.

"Notice to Anglers" are now available online under the Fishery Notices link on the DFO NL Region webpage at Newfoundland and Labrador Region