NOTICE TO FISH HARVESTERS

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General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-042 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-047 will come into force on May 7, 2025.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

DFO advises that the 3Ps Scallop fishery in the Core Area will open at 0600 hours on Saturday, May 10, 2025.

Access to Iceland scallop in the Core Area is available by trip permit for the 6 traditional harvesters. If you meet the criteria and you are interested in fishing in the Core Area in 2025, please contact DFO through the National Online Licensing System (NOLS) to request access and an application for a permit. 

For the 2025 season, access to Iceland scallop in the Core Area will also be available to 3 additional harvesters. This access will be provided via a trip permit. If you are a 3Ps scallop licence holder in the >50’ fleet and wish to receive a permit, please contact DFO through the National Online Licensing System. A draw will be conducted, if required, and a subsequent draw may be conducted to harvest any quota not taken during the initial permit period.

Access to Iceland scallop in the Core Area is limited to a maximum of 3 harvesters at any one time. Priority will be provided to issuing permits to the traditional harvesters.  

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

•    46 degrees 52.7 minutes North latitude, 57 degrees 28 minutes West longitude to;
•    46 degrees 52.7 minutes North latitude, 56 degrees 29 minutes West longitude to;
•    46 degrees 30.0 minutes North latitude, 56 degrees 29 minutes West longitude to;
•    46 degrees 30.0 minutes North latitude, 57 degrees 28 minutes West longitude to;
•    46 degrees 52.7 minutes North latitude, 57 degrees 28 minutes West longitude.

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 Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-044 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-046 will come into force on May 3, 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 Scallop fishery in the 3Ps North Bed in Scallop Fishing Area (SFA) 11 will open at 0600 hours on Saturday, May 10, 2025.

If you are a 3Ps Scallop licence holder with vessel eligibility of >50' and you are interested in fishing Scallop on the North Bed in 2025, please contact DFO through the National Online Licensing System (NOLS) to request access and an application for a permit. Those seeking access will be reviewed against policy, before determining whether they will be granted access.

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

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 minutes North latitude, 56 degrees 29 minutes West longitude to;
•    46 degrees 14 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.

Fish harvesters are reminded that fishing is not permitted in the Middle Bed, Southern Bed, or the Core Area. These areas are defined in your licence conditions.

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 Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-044 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-046 will come into force on May 3, 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 directed fishery for Atlantic halibut in NAFO Sub-Division 3Ps will open 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 Monday, May 5, 2025.

Participants in this fishery will have weekly catch limits for Atlantic halibut. Provisions for this fishery are outlined in the species-specific and Groundfish General Licence Conditions, which are available through the National Online Licencing System (NOLS).

Inshore fixed-gear harvesters are further reminded that as per conditions of licence, the daily by-catch limit of cod when directing for Atlantic halibut in 3Ps is limited to 10 percent or 200 pounds round weight, whichever is greater. DFO will monitor fishing activity and will close the fishery if the by-catch of cod exceeds the established protocols.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-037 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-043 will come into force on May 3, 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 Herring fixed gear fishery in HFA 11 from Pass Island to Cinq Cerf, will open 0600 hours Saturday, May 3, 2025, for all fixed gear types (Barr seines, gillnets and trap nets).

Fish harvesters are reminded that logbooks are mandatory in these Fixed Gear herring fisheries.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-035 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2025-045 comes into force on May 3, 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 harvesters who want to participate in the 2025 <65' fixed gear fishery for Greenland Halibut (turbot) in 2+3K or 3LMNO, that they must submit their Expression of Interest to Fisheries and Oceans by 1700 hours, Sunday, May 4, 2025.

For 2025, NAFO division 2+3K will be managed using permits. The permit amount will be dependent on the number of Expressions of Interests received. The tentative opening for this fishery will be June 15, 2025, and the permit will remain valid for 5 weeks.

A subsequent draw may be conducted for area 2+3K in order to harvest any quota that was not taken during the initial permit period. All expressions of interests will be automatically included in the draw unless otherwise indicated in the expression of interest. Please write "decline draw" in your e-mail if you do not wish to have your name included.

For 2025, NAFO division 3LMNO will be managed by trip limits. The trip limits for 3LMNO will be 65,000 lbs (round weight). The tentative opening for this fishery will be May 20, 2025 and will remain open until the quota has been taken.

Fish harvesters are required to email their Expression of Interest to Resource Management at Kelly.Firmage-OBrien@dfo-mpo.gc.ca 

In your e-mail please include the following:

Name:
FIN:
Address:
Phone #:
E-mail address:
VRN#:
Area selected: 2+3K or 3LMNO or Both areas
For 2+3K: Do you wish to be included in the draw? Yes or No

A valid e-mail address must be included in the application as all future correspondence will be conducted by email. 

Late applications will not be accepted.

"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 3Ps harvesters that lobster fishing Area 10 (Placentia Bay), will open 0600 hours Saturday May 3, 2025, and close 2000 hours Friday July 11, 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; as well LFA 10 conditions prohibit gear retrieval between 2100 hours (9 p.m.) on Saturday and 0500 hours (5 a.m.) on Monday.

Harvesters are also reminded they are permitted to harvest bait for the lobster fishery as per the conditions of their bait license.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-039 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-042 will come into force on May 1, 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 reopen at 0600 hours on April 30, 2025.

DFO will monitor fishing activity and will close the fishery if the incidental catch of Cod exceeds 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 wishes to remind harvesters who want to participate in the 2025 <65' fixed gear fishery for Greenland Halibut (turbot) in 2+3K or 3LMNO, that they must submit their Expression of Interest to Fisheries and Oceans by 1700 hours, Sunday, May 4, 2025.

For 2025, NAFO division 2+3K will be managed using permits. The permit amount will be dependent on the number of Expressions of Interests received. The tentative opening for this fishery will be June 15, 2025, and the permit will remain valid for 5 weeks.

A subsequent draw may be conducted for area 2+3K in order to harvest any quota that was not taken during the initial permit period. All expressions of interests will be automatically included in the draw unless otherwise indicated in the expression of interest. Please write "decline draw" in your e-mail if you do not wish to have your name included.

For 2025, NAFO division 3LMNO will be managed by trip limits. The trip limits for 3LMNO will be 65,000 lbs (round weight). The tentative opening for this fishery will be May 20, 2025 and will remain open until the quota has been taken.

Fish harvesters are required to email their Expression of Interest to Resource Management at Kelly.Firmage-OBrien@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

In your e-mail please include the following:

Name:
FIN:
Address:
Phone #:
E-mail address:
VRN#:
Area selected: 2+3K or 3LMNO or Both areas
For 2+3K: Do you wish to be included in the draw? Yes or No

A valid e-mail address must be included in the application as all future correspondence will be conducted by email.

Late applications will not be accepted.

"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 Division 4R for Quebec-based vessels will CLOSE at 2359 hours EDT April 28, 2025, for the following vessel classes:

•    Vessel class A520
•    Vessel classes A701 to A900
•    Vessel classes A2343 to A2456

"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