Entries

DFO wishes to advise Crab Harvesters that Area Selection applications are available for Crab Fishing Area 11E (Inner or Outer/Bob’s Rock areas). Harvesters can request an application through the National Online Licensing System (NOLS) National Online Licensing System

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 2024.

COMPLETED APPLICATIONS MUST BE UPLOADED TO THE NATIONAL ONLINE LICENCING SYSTEM AND RECEIVED BY CLOSE OF BUSINESS DAY FEBRUARY 21, 2025.

Submission of the application does not indicate approval. The final decision will be communicated through the National Online Licensing System (NOLS) via appropriate documentation.

"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 Crab Harvesters that Buddy-Up Applications are available for Crab Fishing Area 10A (Placentia 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 DAY FEBRUARY 21, 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 3O Mobile Gear Redfish fishery will open at 0600 hours on Monday, February 10, 2025, for the less than 65’ mobile gear fleet, vessel classes C150, C151, C175, and C176.

The 2025 quota for this fishery is 1,086 t.

Conditions of license are available through the National Online Licensing System (NOLS).

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2025-001 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-007 comes into effect on February 8, 2025.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 of the management approach for the 2025 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 a multi-faceted Environmental Protocol.  Details will be outlined in the 2025-2026 Angler’s Guide.

For additional information, refer to the Fisheries Management Decision online at:  Decisions for Atlantic Canada, Quebec and the Arctic - 2025 

Details on the regulations pertaining to retention limits, river classification, closed areas and special management areas are contained in the 2025-2026 Angler's Guide which will be available in booklet form or on-line at 2024-25 Angler's Guide in 2025.

DFO reminds anglers that the 2025 Trout and Smelt winter angling seasons in non-scheduled waters throughout Newfoundland and Labrador will open as follows:

Trout season dates:

Zone 1 (Insular Newfoundland) - February 1

Zone 2 (Labrador Straits) - March 1

Zone 3 (Southeastern Labrador) - February 1

Zone 4 (Western Labrador) - February 1

Zone 5 (Central Labrador) - February 1

Zone 6 (Northern Labrador) - February 1

There are exceptions to these dates for Special Trout Management Areas.

Consult the 2024/25 Angler's Guide for specific information on these Special Trout Management Areas.

Daily bag limits:

The daily bag limit for inland and tidal waters of insular Newfoundland for all trout species combined, and for Brook Trout in Labrador, is 12 trout or 2.25 kg plus one fish, whichever is reached first.

In Labrador, the daily bag limit and possession limit for Lake Trout is three fish in Zones 3-6. The daily bag limit for Lake Trout in Zone 2 is two fish, with a four-fish possession limit. The daily bag limit for Arctic Char and Northern Pike is two fish, with a four-fish possession limit. In the Special Trout Management Area of the Eagle Plateau Management Zone, Chateau Pond and Gilbert's Lake the daily bag limit is six Speckled (Brook) Trout or 1.13 kg plus one fish, whichever is reached first, and the possession limit is equal to the daily bag limit.

Refer to the Angler's Guide for Special Trout Management Area daily bag limits.

Possession limit:

The possession limit is twice the daily bag limit with the exception of the Special Trout Management Areas, where the possession limit is the daily bag limit.

Angling gear:

While fishing through the ice, anglers are permitted to use three separate lines which must be closely and constantly attended by the angler.

Smelt:

Smelt angling in non-scheduled inland waters of insular Newfoundland and in Labrador are subject to the same season dates as trout angling, with the exception of those ponds that opened January 15, 2025 (refer to the 2024-25 Angler's Guide). There is no bag or possession limit for Smelt, and no bag or possession limit for Whitefish in Labrador.

For a complete list of trout angling information, please consult the 2024-25 Angler's Guide, which is available online at 2024-25 Angler's Guide

DFO reminds anglers to take precautions before venturing out on the ice or water this season.

"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 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 2024.

Applications must be received by close of business day on February 21, 2025.

Applications can be returned by email to: kelly.firmage-obrien@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

"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 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 in Group A will close at 1800 hours on January 27, 2025. The TAC is expected to be reached.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-005 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-006 comes into effect at 1600 hours on January 27, 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

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 in Group A will open at 0600 hours on January 16, 2025.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-004 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-005 comes into effect on January 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 will be delivering online Humane Harvesting Workshops for persons interested in obtaining a Personal Use Seal licence.

Workshops will be delivered virtually/online using Zoom. Sessions will be approximately 1 hour.

The workshop is available at no cost, and participants will need the following information:

    Valid photo ID

    Valid FAC or Hunter's Capability card

Registered participants will be sent an email confirming the date and time, and a Zoom link to join the online session.

To pre-register, submit an email request to: DFO.SealHumaneHarvestingNL-PhoqueslachassesanscruateTNL.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

"Notices to 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 Public” sent directly to you by email please contact: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca 

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 Labrador meeting schedule is as follows:

RESCHEDULED FOR Tuesday, February 4, 2025 – Fifty Plus Club, Cartwright: 1:00 pm

Wednesday, January 15, 2025 – Alexis Hotel, Port Hope Simpson: 1:00 pm

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

"Notices to 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 Public” sent directly to you by email please contact: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca