Entries

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans would like to advise that in-person Outreach meetings will be held throughout the Region in the coming weeks.

The intent of these meetings is to provide inshore harvesters and other interested stakeholders an opportunity to discuss matters of concern with respect to the various inshore fisheries.
The meeting schedule is as follows:

Week 1:
Monday, January 30, 2023 – New Wes Valley, Lions Club: 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Tuesday, January 31, 2023 – Fogo, Anglican Church Hall (Centre Island): 10:30am – 12:30 pm
Wednesday, February 1, 2023 – Twillingate, Lions Club: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Wednesday, February 1, 2023 – Baie Verte, College of the North Atlantic: 6:00 – 8:00 pm

Week 2:
Monday, February 6, 2023 – Bonavista, Fire Hall: 2:00 – 4:00 pm
Tuesday, February 7, 2023 – Petty Harbour, Community Center: 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Wednesday, February 8, 2023 – Old Perlican, Community Center: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Wednesday, February 8, 2023 – Riverhead, Royal Canadian Legion: 3:00 – 5:00 pm
Thursday, February 9, 2023 – Ferryland, Southern Shore Folk Arts Council: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Week 3:
Tuesday, February 14, 2023 – St. Anthony, Lions Club: 3:00 – 5:00 pm
Wednesday, February 15, 2023 – Roddickton-Bide Arm, Cross Country Centre: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Please note that there will be Virtual Meetings scheduled at a later date for those unable to attend in-person meetings.

"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
 

Fisheries and Oceans Canada advises that the Herring fishery in Placentia Bay, Herring Fishing Area 10 for mobile gear vessels less than 55 feet in length will close at 1800hrs on January 20, 2023.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2023-003 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-005 comes into effect at 1800 hours on January 20, 2023.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 herring fishery for vessels using fixed gear in Fortune Bay, Herring Fishing Area 11, east of Pass Island, will open at 0600 hours on January 19, 2023.

Fish harvesters are advised that dockside monitoring is a requirement in this fishery.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2023-002 have been revoked and Variation Order 2023-004 will come into effect on January 18, 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 would like to advise harvesters that the fixed gear herring fishery for NAFO Sub division 3Ps Herring Fishing Areas 10 (Placentia Bay) will open at 0600 hours on January 18, 2023.

DFO reminds fish harvesters to complete all applicable fishing logs.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2023-002 have been revoked and Variation Order 2023-004 will come into effect on January 18, 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

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 1600 hours on January 17, 2023:

From Fox Island River area (at Lat 48.70460 Long -58.67357, southwest towards Port Aux Basques area and then east to Shepherd Rock (at Lat 47.39926, Long -55.60842).

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-2023-001 comes into effect at 1600 hours on January 17, 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 wishes to advise Crab Harvesters that Area Selection Applications are available for the following inshore Crab Fishing Areas 5A, 6A, and 6B. Harvesters can obtain an application by contacting the area licencing center or detachment office by phone or e-mail.

Applications can also be requested from the National Online Licencing System (NOLS).

Please note: Area Selection Applications only need to be completed if you are looking to move areas. If you do not fill out the form you will remain in the area you were licensed for in 2022. Applications must be received by close of business day on February 24, 2023.

Applications can be returned to the following address:
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Client Services Centre – Eastern & Central
Attn: Terri Healey
PO Box 5667
St. John's, NL A1C 5X1
E-mail: Terri.Healey@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
FAX # 709-772-5634

"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
 

In consultation with industry representatives, the Department has implemented a pilot small fish protocol for the 4R Herring fishery in Areas 13 and 14, varying the percentage of minimum length.  Please be advised that the small fish protocol will be implemented for the >65' and <65' purse Seine Fleets only at this time. 

All licence holders must review their new conditions to determine minimum size and percentage for their fleet. 

This measure is effective as of 1500 hours on January 11, 2023.

DFO advises harvesters that the mobile gear (purse seine) and fixed gear (gillnet, trap and tuck seine) herring fisheries in Herring Fishing Area 5 (Bonavista Bay) in NAFO Division 3L will close at 1800 hours on Friday, January 6, 2023 for conservation reasons.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2022-260 and 2023-001 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2023-002 and 2023-003 will come into effect at 1800 hours on January 6, 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 harvesters that the fixed gear Herring fishery for barr/tuck seine in Herring Fishing Area 6 (Trinity Bay) in NAFO Division 3L will close at 1800 hours on Friday, January 6, 2023.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2022-260 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-002 comes into effect at 1800 hours on January 6, 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 reminds the Public that the Newfoundland and Labrador Recreational Mackerel fishery is closed from January 1, 2023 to March 31, 2023. 

"Notices to Public" for all recreational fisheries are 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 Public" for recreational fisheries sent directly to you by email please contact: beverly.piccott@dfo-mpo.gc.ca