Entries

DFO advises that, at the request of industry representatives, the Emerging Sea Cucumber fishery in NAFO Divisions 3LNO will close at 2000 hours on Friday June 6, 2025.

Permit holders will be notified by Notice to Fish Harvesters of a revised opening date.

"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 Capelin purse seine fishery for mobile gear vessels, less than and greater than 65', in Capelin Fishing Areas 13 and 14 (NAFO Division 4R) will open at 0600 hours on June 5, 2025.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2024-326 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2025-077 comes into effect on June 5, 2025.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 Capelin fixed gear fishery using traps and bar seine (including modified bar seine known as "tuck seine"), for the large vessel fleet (less than 65 feet (19.8m)) in the following areas will open at 0600 hours on June 5, 2025:

Capelin Fishing Area 12

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General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2024-307 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-076 comes into effect on June 5, 2024.

"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 in accordance with the soft-shell protocol, the following grids in Crab Fishing Area 4 in NAFO Division 3K will close to fishing Snow Crab and Northern Shrimp at midnight on Friday, June 6, 2025 due to a high incidence of soft-shell crab:

Grid W 36
Grid X 38
Grid Y 37

These grids will be closed to Snow crab fishing for the remainder of the year. Harvesters should note that all gear in these grids must be removed immediately. Gear must be hauled and not reset on your next fishing trip.

The closure for Northern shrimp is in effect for 60 days, and will re-open on August 5, 2025, if the shrimp fishery is open at that time.

Grid quandrant W 36 is defined as the area bounded by the following coordinates:

51° 40' North, 54° 30' West;
51° 40' North, 54° 20' West;
51° 30' North, 54° 20' West;
51° 30' North, 54° 30' West; 
51° 40' North, 54° 30' West;

Grid quandrant X 38 is defined as the area bounded by the following coordinates:

51° 30' North, 54° 10' West;
51° 30' North, 54° 00' West;
51° 20' North, 54° 00' West;
51° 20' North, 54° 10' West; 
51° 30' North, 54° 10' West;

Grid quandrant Y 37 is defined as the area bounded by the following coordinates:

51° 20' North, 54° 20' West;
51° 20' North, 54° 10' West;
51° 10' North, 54° 10' West;
51° 10' North, 54° 20' West; 
51° 20' North, 54° 20' West;

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2024-311 and 2025-053 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2025-074 and 2025-075 will come into force on June 4, 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 in accordance with the soft-shell protocol, the following grids in Crab Fishing Area 4 in NAFO Division 3K will close to fishing Snow Crab and Northern Shrimp at midnight on Friday, June 6, 2025 due to a high incidence of soft-shell crab:

Grid W 36
Grid X 38
Grid Y 37

These grids will be closed to Snow crab fishing for the remainder of the year. Harvesters should note that all gear in these grids must be removed immediately. Gear must be hauled and not reset on your next fishing trip.

The closure for Northern shrimp is in effect for 60 days, and will re-open on August 5, 2025, if the shrimp fishery is open at that time.

Grid quandrant W 36 is defined as the area bounded by the following coordinates:

51° 40' North, 54° 30' West;
51° 40' North, 54° 20' West;
51° 30' North, 54° 20' West;
51° 30' North, 54° 30' West; 
51° 40' North, 54° 30' West;

Grid quandrant X 38 is defined as the area bounded by the following coordinates:

51° 30' North, 54° 10' West;
51° 30' North, 54° 00' West;
51° 20' North, 54° 00' West;
51° 20' North, 54° 10' West; 
51° 30' North, 54° 10' West;

Grid quandrant Y 37 is defined as the area bounded by the following coordinates:

51° 20' North, 54° 20' West;
51° 20' North, 54° 10' West;
51° 10' North, 54° 10' West;
51° 10' North, 54° 20' West; 
51° 20' North, 54° 20' West;

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2024-311 and 2025-053 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2025-074 and 2025-075 will come into force on June 4, 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 Whelk fishery will open in NAFO Divisions 2HJ 3KL at 0600 hours on Friday June 6, 2025.

License fees and license conditions are available through the national online licensing system (NOLS).

"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 

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) wishes to remind harvesters that ELOGs are mandatory for the 2025 fishing season for the following fisheries: Unit 1 Redfish, Lobster, and Snow crab for the full-time and mid-shore fleets.

To date in 2025, over 1,500 harvesters in the Newfoundland and Labrador Region are successfully using ELOGs with approximately 20,000 ELOG submissions. DFO acknowledges that some harvesters have expressed difficulties using ELOGs, and wishes to remind harvesters of the following resources available:

Information on ELOGs, ELOG providers, and frequently asked questions and answers can be found on DFO’s website at: Electronic logbooks (ELOGS)

Harvesters requiring additional information can contact DFO directly by:
Telephone: 1-877-535-7307

Telephone support is available Monday to Friday (excluding holidays) from 07:00 to 17:00 (Eastern time).
TTY: 1-800-465-7735

For email support: Email: fishing-peche@dfo-mpo.gc.ca  (please include your name and the DFO Region in which you are located). Emails will receive a response within a few business days.

Guidance and technical support for ELOG Client Applications is provided by ELOG suppliers. ELOG provider websites provide training materials and videos to help harvesters understand their products better. Harvesters with questions on the use of the ELOG technology should consult with the Providers for product support.

DFO would also like to advise harvesters that for the 2025 fishing season in the Newfoundland and Labrador Region, inactive harvesters will not be required to purchase an ELOG. The Department will follow up with further information on how to confirm inactivity.

The Department remains committed to working with industry as we continue to improve and enhance our catch reporting services.

"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 harvesters that Lobster Fishing Area 14A will close at 2000 hours on June 21, 2025.

Fish harvesters are reminded that all fishing 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 2025-052 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-073 will come into force on May 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 advise anglers that a portion of Northwest Brook, Alexander Bay, noted below, will be closed to all angling for the season.  

This precautionary approach is a measure to aid in the conservation of Brook Trout and Atlantic Salmon.

The closed area is that portion of Northwest Brook and Boatswains Brook from the Trans Canada Highway (TCH) downstream to the Bait & Spinner/Fly Fishing signs at the mouth of the main stem of Northwest Brook, Northwest Arm, Alexander Bay.  

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2025-055, 2025-056, 2025-057, 2025-058, and 2025-059 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2025-067, 2025-068, 2025-069, 2025-070, and 2025-071 come into effect on May 31, 2025.

"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 fixed gear herring (gillnet/trap) fisheries for White Bay, Notre Dame Bay, Bonavista Bay, Trinity Bay, Conception Bay, the Southern Shore and St. Mary's Bay, (Herring Fishing Areas 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9) will close at 2000 hours on Sunday, June 15, 2025.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-066 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-072 will come into force on May 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