Entries

DFO advises that the Fisheries Management Decision for the Recreational Trout fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador is available online at Fisheries Management Decisions for Atlantic Canada, Quebec and the Arctic - 2023 

This is a multi-year plan that will come into effect May 15, 2023.  Management measures such as bag limits, possession limits and season dates remain the same and are outlined online at Fisheries Management Decisions for Atlantic Canada, Quebec and the Arctic - 2023

DFO wishes to advise anglers of the management approach for the 2023 Atlantic Salmon recreational fishery. 

Season Dates:

Insular Newfoundland - June 1 to September 7

Labrador - June 15 to September 15

Management Measures:

Anglers will be permitted to retain a total of two salmon, with a maximum of one salmon on Class 2 rivers.

A catch and release limit of three fish per day for all scheduled rivers in Newfoundland and Labrador with the exception of Class 0 rivers. On Class 0 rivers, anglers are permitted to catch and release a maximum of two fish per day.

The retention of salmon on non-scheduled waters is not permitted.

The continuation of the multi-faceted Environmental Protocol.

For additional information, refer to the Fisheries Management Decision online at: Fisheries Management Decisions for Atlantic Canada, Quebec and the Arctic - 2023

Details on the regulations pertaining to retention limits, river classification, closed areas and special management areas are contained in the 2023 - 2024 Angler's Guide which will be available in booklet form or on-line at Anglers' Guide 2023-2024.

DFO advises that the Greenland Halibut (turbot) fixed gear fishery in NAFO Division 4RST, in all water depths will close for vessels less than 65 feet based in NAFO Divisions 4R3Pn at 2000 hrs on Sunday, December 18, 2022.

DFO reminds harvesters that all gear must be removed from the water by closing time.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2022-223 has been revoked and Variation Order 2022-236 comes into effect on December 14, 2022.

"Notices to Fish Harvesters" for all commercial fisheries are now available online at 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

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) advises the public of the re-opening 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 1700 hours on December 5, 2022:

From Cape La Hune (at Lat 47.528576 Long -56.862574) west to Port aux Basques area and then north up to Robinson's Head (at coordinate 48.261084, -58.809464).

More detailed information on remaining 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-2022-216 has been repealed effective 1700 hours Tuesday, December 5, 2022.

For more information on the Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program please consult the following website: Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program (CSSP)

Newfoundland and Labrador Region  - December 1, 2022

Fisheries and Oceans Canada announces that the timeline for harvesters to implement lower breaking strength gear modification requirements in non-tended fixed gear, trap and pot commercial fisheries in Atlantic Canada and Quebec is extended to 2024.

Canada is committed to protecting North Atlantic right whales and supporting their recovery. We continue to prioritize measures to prevent entanglements of North Atlantic right whales in fishing gear, closing areas to fishing when and where right whales are detected, and removing lost, abandoned and discarded fishing gear. The Department is reviewing available information to ensure that lower breaking strength fishing gear is safe, effective at protecting whales, and readily available. This is important for supporting harvesters as they transition successfully to equipment that better protects endangered whales.

The Department will continue its support for various whalesafe gear trials in relevant fisheries with a particular focus on ropeless and rope-on-demand gear, and its engagement with industry, other stakeholders and Indigenous partners. During 2023, the Department will announce further details regarding measures to protect North Atlantic right whales in Canadian fisheries, including the approach to implement appropriate whalesafe gear requirements over time. 

For more information:

Whalesafe Fishing Gear: Whalesafe fishing gear 

North Atlantic right whale protection measures: North Atlantic right whale

Fisheries and Oceans Canada advises that the Herring fishery in St. Mary's Bay, Herring Fishing Area 09 and Placentia Bay, Herring Fishing Area 10 for mobile gear vessels less than 55 feet in length will open at 0600 hours on November 28, 2022.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2022-228 has been revoked and Variation Order 2022-234 comes into effect on November 26, 2022.

"Notices to Fish Harvesters" for all commercial fisheries are now available online at 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 commercial Scallop fish harvesters in Scallop Fishing Area 11 of a new closed area extending from English Harbour East to Pass Island Tickle in water depths less than 30 fathoms. This area will be closed as of 2000 hours Tuesday November 15, 2022.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2022-189 has been revoked and Variation Order 2022-233 comes into effect at 1700 hours on November 15, 2022.

"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

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 November 14, 2022:

From Cape La Hune (at Lat 47.528576 Long -56.862574) west to Port aux Basques area and then north up to Robinson's Head (at coordinate 48.261084, -58.809464)

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-2022-216 comes into effect at 1400 hours on November 14, 2022.

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 advises that the Atlantic Halibut hook and line (long line) fishery in NAFO Divisions 4RST, for fixed gear vessels less than 65 feet based in Western NL and Southern Labrador that elected to fish in Period 6, will open at 0600 hours on Monday, November 14, 2022. This fishery is open to vessel class A431 and will close at 2000 hours on December 18, 2022.

DFO reminds fish harvesters that logbooks for this fishery are mandatory and must be completed in full and submitted as per the conditions of licence.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2022-230 has been revoked and Variation Order 2022-232 comes into effect on November 11, 2022.

"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 fish harvesters that the cod fishery in NAFO Subdivision 3Ps(d) and (e) will close on Monday, November 15, 2022 at 1800 hours in accordance with the Conservation Harvesting Plan (CHP) and is related to the mixing of cod from 4RS3Pn. This closure affects all vessel classes.

"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