Entries

DFO advises Newfoundland and Labrador seal harvesters that the seal fishery for Ringed Seals will reopen in Sealing Area 4 at 0600 hours on Saturday April 19, 2025. 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 Saturday at 0600 hours on April 19, 2025.

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.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-018 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2025-036 will come into force April 17, 2025.

"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 wishes to advise Lobster Harvesters that Buddy-Up Applications are available for Lobster Fishing Area 11 (Fortune Bay). Fish Harvesters can request an application through the National Online Licensing System (NOLS)  National Online Licensing System

PLEASE NOTE: COMPLETED APPLICATIONS MUST BE UPLOADED TO THE NATIONAL ONLINE LICENCING SYSTEM AND RECEIVED BY CLOSE OF BUSINESS WEDNESDAY April 16, 2025.

"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 Fixed Gear (Bar/Tuck Seine) Herring fishery will close on Monday, April 14, 2025 at 2000 hours in Trinity Bay (Herring Fishing Area 6).

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2025-034 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-035 comes into force at 1800 hours on April 14, 2025.

"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 April 15, 2025 due to incidental catch of Cod exceeding 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: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO advises that the Fixed Gear (Barr/Tuck Seine) Herring fishery will close on Sunday, April 13, 2025 at 2300 hours in Bonavista Bay (Herring Fishing Area 5).

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2025-031 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-034 comes into force at 1800 hours on April 13, 2025.

"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 wishes to remind harvesters that the Unit 1 Redfish fishery for the Aboriginal communal commercial mobile gear groundfish licence holders (vessel classes C425, C426, C427, C428) closed at 2400 hours on Monday, March 31, 2025.

"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 wishes to remind harvesters that the Unit 2 Redfish Fishery in NAFO Sub-Division 3Ps closed for all fleets at 2400 hours Monday, March 31, 2025.

"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 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, 2025 to July 13, 2025
LFA 6 (Trinity Bay): April 19, 2025 to July 1, 2025
LFA 7 (Conception Bay): May 3, 2025 to July 8, 2025
LFA 8 (Southern Shore): May 1, 2025 to July 5, 2025
LFA 9A (Trepassey Bay): May 7, 2025 to July 4, 2025
LFA 9B (St. Mary's Bay): April 17, 2025 to June 27, 2025

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 2024-309 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2025-033 will come into force on April 12, 2025.

"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 anglers that the winter trout angling season for Zone 1 (Insular Newfoundland) closes on April 15, 2025. Angling for trout in tidal waters is still permitted outside DFO caution signs. However, the daily bag limit applies.

“Notices to Anglers” 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” for recreational fisheries sent directly to you by email please contact: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca 

DFO advises that the Mobile Gear (Purse Seine) Herring fishery will open on Friday, April 11, 2025 at 0600 hours in White Bay and Notre Dame Bay (Herring Fishing Areas 3 & 4).

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2025-029 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-032 comes into force on April 11, 2025.

"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