DFO advises 3Ps scallop harvesters that select areas in Scallop Fishing Area 11 will open at 0600 hours on October 14, 2023 and close at 1800 hours on December 14, 2023.

The select areas include the areas north of a straight line connecting Point Rosie (47 degrees 23 minutes 24 seconds North latitude, 55 degrees 17 minutes 42 seconds West longitude) to the Northwest Head of Brunette Island (47 degrees 15 minutes 49 seconds North, 55 degrees 58 minutes 1 second West) to Pass Island Tickle (47 degrees 30 minutes 21 seconds North, 56 degrees 11 minutes 12 seconds West). 

Please note that scallop dragging is not permitted in this area in water depths less than 5 fathoms.

Logbook submissions, mandatory hails and landing authorizations remain in effect. These requirements are outlined in licence conditions.
Fish harvesters are reminded that scallop dragging remains closed in water depths less than 30 fathoms in that portion of SFA 11 from Dantzik Point to Point Rosie.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2023-270 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-271 comes into effect on October 14, 2023.

"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: danielle.nichols@dfo-mpo.gc.ca 

DFO advises that the directed fishery for Atlantic halibut in NAFO Sub-Division 3Ps will reopen to the inshore fixed – gear fleet (fixed-gear vessels less than 65 feet - Vessel Classes A251, A254, A257, A260, A263, A266, A269, A272, A275, and A279) at 0600 hours on Saturday, October 14, 2023. New licence conditions are not required.

DFO also reminds harvesters that the retention of Atlantic halibut as bycatch in other open directed groundfish fisheries in 3Ps remains authorized at this time.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2023-259 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-267 comes into effect on October 12, 2023.

"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: danielle.nichols@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO advises that the 3Pn portion of the Unit 2 Redfish fishery will close for all Vessel Classes on Friday, October 15, 2023 at 2000 hrs.

"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: danielle.nichols@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO advises that the Mobile Gear (Purse Seine) Herring fishery will open on Tuesday, October 10, 2023 at 0600 hours in Bonavista Bay, Trinity Bay, Conception Bay and the Southern Shore (Herring Fishing Areas 5, 6, 7 and 8).

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2023-263 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-268 comes into effect on October 7, 2023.

"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 Scallop fishery in the 3Ps North Bed in Scallop Fishing Area (SFA) 11 that opened to eligible harvesters, will now close on October 13, 2023 at 2000 hrs.

The North Bed is defined as that portion of Scallop Fishing Area 11, bounded by a line connecting the following coordinates:

46 degrees 30.0 minutes North latitude, 57 degrees 28 minutes West longitude to
46 degrees 30.0 minutes North latitude, 56 degrees 46 minutes West longitude along the Canada/France boundary to
46 degrees 23.0 minutes North latitude, 56 degrees 29 minutes West longitude to
46 degrees 14.0 minutes North latitude, 56 degrees 29 minutes West longitude to
46 degrees 14.0 minutes North latitude, 57 degrees 28 minutes West longitude to
46 degrees 30.0 minutes North latitude, 57 degrees 28 minutes West longitude.

A Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) or Observer coverage is required to fish in the North Bed scallop area.

Amended conditions will be required.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2023-257 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-270 comes into effect at 1600 hours on October 6, 2023.

"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: danielle.nichols@dfo-mpo.gc.ca 

DFO advises that the Witch flounder (Greysole) fishery for vessels less than 65 feet, using Danish seine (vessel classes C50 and C351), will close in NAFO sub-Division 4Rd - from a line drawn due west of Cape Ray, north to a line drawn due west of Cape St. George on October 6, 2023 at 2000 hours.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2023-110 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-269 comes into effect at 1800 hours on October 6, 2023.

"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: danielle.nichols@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO advises that the Inshore fishery in NAFO Divisions 3NO for White Hake, Monkfish and Skate using longline will open on October 6, 2023 at 0600 hours for the following vessel classes:

A251, A254, A257, A260, A263, A266, A269, and A272

Licence conditions can be obtained by emailing Kelly.Firmage-OBrien@dfo-mpo.gc.ca or by calling (709) 772-5845.

Fish harvesters are reminded that all licence holders are required to provide a Daily Report of your fishing activity.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2023-244 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-266 comes into effect on October 6, 2023.

"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 fish harvesters that the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) form has been amended.

Wording has been revised and the form has been restructured to clarify the information required regarding the VMS Unit and associated Communication Service Provider (CSP). If this information is unknown when completing the form, please consult your CSP as unique identifiers used for VMS units varies. It is extremely important that unit information is correctly entered as it is required for data to be successfully processed by DFO.

The amended form does not change the current requirements outlined in the condition of licence. This revised form is to be used for future submissions of VMS registration paperwork. There is no requirement to complete and submit this revised form if an older version of the form has previously been submitted to DFO. The updated form will be required when a new submission is necessary as per the circumstances outlined in the condition of licence.

The amended National VMS Form and Instructions are available online at National Vessel Monitoring System