Entries

DFO advises that the Snow Crab fishery will open at 0600 hours on Thursday, May 15, 2025, for 2J (South) and will close at 2400 hours on Friday, July 11, 2025.

Fish harvesters are reminded that they are not authorized to set Crab traps until 72 hours after the Snow Crab fishery season has opened. Therefore, any setting of Crab traps or possession of Crab before 0600 hours on Sunday, May 18, 2025 is prohibited.

License fees and license conditions are available through the National Online Licensing System (NOLS).

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region give notice that Variation Order 2025-041 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-053 will come into force on May 10, 2025.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 May 10, 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 2025 summer Trout season for Zone 1 (insular Newfoundland) opens on May 15, 2025, and will remain open until September 7, 2025.

Bag limits and possession limits for insular Newfoundland remain the same: daily bag limit for Trout (includes Speckled trout, Brown trout, Rainbow trout and Ouananiche) is 12 Trout or 2.25 kg + 1 Trout, round weight (which can be a combination of any of the species - Speckled, Brown, Rainbow, Ouananiche); possession limit is twice the daily bag limit.

Details on the regulations pertaining to bag limits, river classification, closed areas, and special management areas are contained in the 2025 - 2026 Angler’s Guide which is available online at Anglers' Guide 2025-2026.

"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 Scallop fishery in Scallop Fishing Area 14A (Ferolle Point to Cape Bauld) will open May 9, 2025 at 0600 hours.

Fish harvesters are reminded that for quota monitoring purposes, the north and south quota management areas are divided at 51 degrees 25 minutes North latitude.

Fish harvesters are reminded that they must have at-sea observer coverage services arranged before commencing fishing.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2025-046 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2025-051 comes into effect on May 09, 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 will be releasing a total allowable catch of 440 tonnes (t) for the Atlantic Mackerel personal-use bait fishery in two equal parts. This will be a competitive fishery and the first release of 220t will open to harvesters in all four DFO regions in Atlantic Canada and Quebec on Thursday, May 15, 2025.

For the NL Region in Mackerel Fishing Areas 1 -14 the personal use mackerel bait fishery will open at 0600 hours on Thursday, May 15, 2025.

Harvesters participating in this personal use bait fishery are reminded:

• they will be restricted to a daily limit of 454 kg (1,000 lbs) to be fished by either gillnet or handline,
• a mandatory hail-in will be required for all harvesters participating in the personal use mackerel bait fishery,
• an accurate catch estimate must be provided prior to offloading your catch and harvesters must hail a trip summary to the Fish Harvesters’ Resource Centre at 1-877-884-7359 / 1-888-562-4511,
• harvesters will be alerted of closures through a Notice to Fish Harvesters,
• bait licences will be available through the National Online Licensing System,
• the second 220t release will also be conveyed through a Notice to Fish Harvesters with an expected release date in September.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2024-317 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2025-050 will come into force on May 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 advises that the Minister approved management measures for the Atlantic Mackerel recreational fishery for 2025 and 2026.

Please be advised that when fishing recreationally for Atlantic Mackerel, the following management measure is in effect to support rebuilding of the stock:

1.    Reduction in the gear allowance to 1 line and 3 hooks when fishing Atlantic Mackerel recreationally. 

Fisheries and Oceans Canada will vary the gear allowance which prohibits recreational fishing with more than 5 lines or 1 fishing line with 6 hooks, as outlined in Section 49.01(d) of the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985, to 1 line and 3 hooks to reduce effort in the recreational fishery.

"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 Minister approved management measures for the Atlantic Mackerel recreational fishery for 2025 and 2026.

Please be advised that when fishing recreationally for Atlantic Mackerel, the following management measure is in effect to limit dead discards and support rebuilding of the stock:

1.    No minimum size requirement when fishing Atlantic mackerel recreationally. 

Fisheries and Oceans Canada will vary the minimum size for possession of Atlantic Mackerel from 26.8 cm, as outlined in Section 49.01(b) of the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985, to 0 cm in length. This would mean that recreational harvesters can retain any size fish caught up to their daily possession limit of 20 Mackerel without discarding large numbers of undersized fish that typically die after release.

"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) advises the public of the reopening for the harvesting of all bivalve shellfish (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, sea scallops, northern moon snails, waved whelks, and Stimpson's whelks) for recreational or commercial purposes, effective 1600 hours on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 for a portion of Tommy's Arm, Notre Dame Bay as defined by those waters located inside of the following points:

49.472659° N, 55.760129° W,
49.467834° N, 55.772489° W,
49.468113° N, 55.762232° W,
49.471515° N, 55.765108° W,
49.470037° N, 55.789312° W,
49.46471° N, 55.785578° W.

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-2024-002 has been repealed effective 1600 hours on May 6, 2025.  

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

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) advises the public of the reopening for the harvesting of all bivalve shellfish (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, sea scallops, northern moon snails, waved whelks, and Stimpson's whelks) for recreational or commercial purposes, effective 1600 hours on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 for a portion of Tommy's Arm, Notre Dame Bay as defined by those waters located inside of the following points:

49.472659° N, 55.760129° W,
49.467834° N, 55.772489° W,
49.468113° N, 55.762232° W,
49.471515° N, 55.765108° W,
49.470037° N, 55.789312° W,
49.46471° N, 55.785578° W.

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-2024-002 has been repealed effective 1600 hours on May 6, 2025.  

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

DFO advises of the following 3K lobster area opening and closing dates:

Note all opening times are 0600 hours and all closing times are 2000 hours.

LFA 3 (White Bay): May 12, 2025 to July 15, 2025

LFA 4A (Notre Dame Bay West): May 17, 2025 to July 12, 2025

LFA 4B (Notre Dame Bay East): May 10, 2025 to July 5, 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 2025-042 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-047 will come into force on May 7, 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