Entries

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.

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

DFO advises that the 2+3KLMNO Mobile Gear Greenland halibut (Turbot) fishery will close on June 21, 2023 at 2000 hours as the quota has been taken. 

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2023-102 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-109 comes into effect on June 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: Yolanda.fillier@dfo-mpo.gc.ca. 
 

DFO advises that the Witch flounder (Greysole) fishery for vessels less than 65 feet, using Danish seine (vessel classes C50 and C351), will open in NAFO sub-Division 4Rd - from a line drawn due west of Cape Ray, north to a line drawn due west of Cape St. George at 0600 hours on June 23, 2023.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2022-251 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-110 comes into effect on June 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: danielle.nichols@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO advises that the Capelin purse seine fishery for mobile gear vessels less than 65', in Capelin Fishing Areas 13 and 14 (NAFO Division 4R) will open at 0600 hours on June 21, 2023.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2023-097 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-108 comes into effect on June 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: danielle.nichols@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO advises that the Capelin fixed gear fishery using traps and bar seine (including modified bar seine known as "tuck seine"), for vessels less than 65 feet (19.8m) in the following areas will open at 0600 hours on June 21, 2023:

Capelin Fishing Area 13

Capelin Fishing Area 14 from Cape Gregory to Point Riche.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2022-241 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-105 comes into effect on June 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 that the fishery for Atlantic Halibut in NAFO Division 3NO, for vessel class A360 (Maritimes) using longline will open on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at 0600 hours.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2023-096 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-104 comes into effect on June 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: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO reminds harvesters that the Unit 1 Redfish index fishery for the mobile gear fleet based in Western Newfoundland is open for the 2023 season.

This fishery is open only to limited participation from the Western Newfoundland mobile gear fleet and fish harvesters involved should review their licence conditions for specific area restrictions.

"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 the 3L Lobster fishery in LFA 6 (Trinity Bay) will close 2000 hours July 6, 2023.

Fish harvesters are reminded that all fishing gear must be removed from the water by closing time.

Harvesters are reminded to submit their completed Lobster logbooks as required.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2023-076 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-103 comes into effect on June 16, 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 Whelk fishery will open in NAFO Division 4R (fishing area 13 and 14) at 0600 hours on June 15, 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: Yolanda.Fillier@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
 

DFO advises that the 3Ps Greenland Halibut (Turbot) fishery for vessels less than and greater than 65' using gillnets and hook and line gear, will open at 0600 hours on Thursday, June 15, 2023.

DFO will monitor fishing activity and will close the fishery if the incidental catch of Atlantic halibut exceeds the established protocols.

"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: Yolanda.Fillier@dfo-mpo.gc.ca