Entries

DFO reminds harvesters that the following Marine Conservation Areas remain closed:

Hatton Basin Conservation Area

Hopedale Saddle Closure

Hawke Channel Closure

Funk Island Deep Closure

Northeast Newfoundland Slope Closure

Division 3O Coral Closure

Gilbert Bay Marine Protected Area

Eastport Marine Protected Area

Laurentian Channel Marine Protected Area

These areas have varying fisheries restrictions/prohibitions.

More information on the details of these conservation measures can be found at:

(English) Canada’s marine protected and conserved areas

(French) Aires marines protégées et conservées du Canada

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2017-304, 2017-307, 2017-308, 2018-011, 2018-012 and 2020-005 have been revoked, and Variation Orders 2023-038, 2023-039, 2023-040, 2023-041, 2023-042, 2023-043, 2023-044, 2023-045, 2023-046, 2023-047, 2023-048, 2023-049, 2023-050, 2023-051, 2023-052, 2023-053, 2023-054, 2023-055, 2023-056, 2023-057, 2023-058 and 2023-059 come into effect on April 27, 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 at the request of industry, Lobster Fishing Area 9A (Trepassey Bay) will have a delayed opening. The opening and closing dates will now be May 5, 2023 to July 2, 2023.

Note that the opening time is 0600 hours and closing time is 2000 hours.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2023-033 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-037 comes into effect on April 26, 2023.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 3Ps scallop harvesters that the Scallop Fishing Area 10 (Placentia Bay) South of 47 00 N Outer Bay, and Scallop Fishing Area 11 (Fortune Bay) South of 47 00 N Outer Bay will open at 0600 hours on Wednesday, April 26, 2023.

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

The North Bed and Core Area will open at a later date. A permit is required to fish the North Bed and Core Area.

Fish harvesters are reminded of VMS requirements as outlined in licence conditions.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2023-034 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-036 comes into effect on April 25, 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 fixed gear Herring fishery (Barr/Tuck Seine) will open by permit only on April 21, 2023 at 0600 hours and close on April 22, 2023 at 1800 hours in Conception Bay (Herring Fishing Area 7).

Licence conditions can be obtained through DFO’s National On-line Licencing System for those harvesters who have been contacted for the above date.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2023-032 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-035 comes into effect on April 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: beverly.piccott@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO advises that the commercial Scallop fishery in Area 9 (Inner St. Mary's Bay) in NAFO Division 3L will close at 2000 hours Wednesday, April 26, 2023 for all harvesters, including harvesters in Vessel Class C4701.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2023-007 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-034 comes into effect on April 19, 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 fixed gear herring (Barr/Tuck seine) fishery for 3L (Herring Fishing Area 7 and 8) Conception Bay and the Southern Shore will close at 2200 hours on Sunday, April 16, 2023. 

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2023-029 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-032 comes into effect on April 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: danielle.nichols@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

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

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

LFA 5 (Bonavista Bay): May 8, 2023 to July 13, 2023
LFA 6 (Trinity Bay): April 24, 2023 to June 30, 2023
LFA 7 (Conception Bay): April 29, 2023 to July 4, 2023
LFA 8 (Southern Shore): May 9, 2023 to July 13, 2023
LFA 9A (Trepassey Bay): April 28, 2023 to June 25, 2023
LFA 9B (St. Mary’s Bay): April 27, 2023 to July 7, 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 2023-031 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-033 comes into effect on April 19, 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 Newfoundland and Labrador seal harvesters that the seal fishery for Ringed Seals will reopen in Sealing Area 4 at 0600 hours on Thursday April 20, 2023. This includes personal use and license classes N300, N301 and N302.

DFO further advises that as per Section 6(3) of the Marine Mammal Regulations, members of the public that reside immediately adjacent to Sealing Area 4 and fish for seals for food purposes, this hunt will reopen on Thursday at 0600 hours on April 20, 2023.

Commercial seal harvesters are reminded to check with their buyers to confirm a market for their seals before going sealing and that licenses and license conditions are available through DFO’s National Online Licensing System.

Additionally, all Commercial and Personal Use Sealers are reminded that landings must be hailed in daily, as per license conditions.

“Notices to Fish Harvesters” for all commercial fisheries and “Notices to the Public” 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” or “Notices to the Public” sent directly to you by email please contact: danielle.nichols@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO advises Newfoundland and Labrador seal harvesters that the seal fishery for Ringed Seals will reopen in Sealing Area 4 at 0600 hours on Thursday April 20, 2023. This includes personal use and license classes N300, N301 and N302.

DFO further advises that as per Section 6(3) of the Marine Mammal Regulations, members of the public that reside immediately adjacent to Sealing Area 4 and fish for seals for food purposes, this hunt will reopen on Thursday at 0600 hours on April 20, 2023.

Commercial seal harvesters are reminded to check with their buyers to confirm a market for their seals before going sealing and that licenses and license conditions are available through DFO’s National Online Licensing System.

Additionally, all Commercial and Personal Use Sealers are reminded that landings must be hailed in daily, as per license conditions.

“Notices to Fish Harvesters” for all commercial fisheries and “Notices to the Public” 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” or “Notices to the Public” sent directly to you by email please contact: danielle.nichols@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO advises of the following opening and closing dates for Lobster Fishing Areas 13A and 13B:

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

- LFA 13A (Cape Ray to Cape St. George): April 17, 2023 to June 28, 2023;

- LFA 13B (Cape St. George to Cape St. Gregory): April 17, 2023 to June 29, 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.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2022-247 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-031 comes into effect on April 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: danielle.nichols@dfo-mpo-gc.ca