Entries

DFO advises that 3Ps fixed gear herring fisheries in Fortune Bay closed January 29, 2024 for barr seine. Placentia Bay barr seine remains open.

"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 2024 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 2023/24 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, 2024 (refer to the 2023/24 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 2023-24 Angler's Guide, which is available online at 2023-24 Angler's Guide

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

DFO advises that 3Ps fixed gear herring fisheries in Placentia Bay and Fortune Bay will close 2000 hours, January 29, 2024 for barr seine.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2024-004 has been revoked and Variation Order 2024-005 comes into effect at 1700 hours on January 29, 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

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:

Friday, February 2, 2024 – Charlottetown Town Hall, Charlottetown: 10:00 am.

Monday, February 12, 2024 – Fifty Plus Club, Cartwright 1 pm

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

"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 2024 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 2024-2025 Angler’s Guide.

For additional information, refer to the Fisheries Management Decision online at: Fisheries Management Decisions for Atlantic Canada, Quebec and the Arctic - 2024

Details on the regulations pertaining to retention limits, river classification, closed areas and special management areas are contained in the 2024-2025 Angler's Guide which will be available in booklet form or on-line at Anglers' Guide 2023-2024 in the coming months.

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 2023. 

Applications must be received by close of business day on February 23, 2024.

Applications can be returned to the following address:

Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Client Services Centre – Eastern & Central
Attn: Kelly Firmage-O’Brien
PO Box 5667
St. John's, NL A1C 5X1
Or E-mail: 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   

DFO advises that the Fixed Gear (Bar/Tuck Seine) Herring fishery will close on Monday, January 15, 2024 at 1800 hours in Notre Dame Bay (Herring Fishing Area 4).

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2024-003 has been revoked and Variation Order 2024-004 comes into effect at 1800 hours on January 15, 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

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) advises the public of the re-opening for the harvesting of all bivalve shellfish including 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, (except sea scallops), northern moon snails, waved whelks, and Stimpson's whelks for recreational or commercial purposes in the following areas effective 1400 hours on January 12, 2024:

From Cape Anguille (at Lat 47.89794, Long -59.41205), south to a point at (Lat 47.54734, Long -59.32553), then southeast to a point at (Lat 47.19858, Long -55.74399), then northeast to Friar Head (at Lat 47.39920, Long -55.60833).

More detailed information on remaining 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-2023-006 has been repealed effective 1400 hours on January 12, 2024.

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

DFO advises that the fixed gear Herring fishery (Barr/Tuck Seine) will open by permit only on January 13, 2024 at 0600 hours in Notre Dame Bay (Herring Fishing Area 4).

License conditions can be obtained through DFO’s National On-line Licensing System for those harvesters who have been contacted.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2023-310 has been revoked and Variation Order 2024-003 comes into effect on January 13, 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

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 11, 2024.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2024-001 has been revoked and Variation Order 2024-002 comes into effect at 1600 hours on January 11, 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