Shellfish Sanitation Closures

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) advises the public of the closure 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 November 14, 2022:

From Cape La Hune (at Lat 47.528576 Long -56.862574) west to Port aux Basques area and then north up to Robinson's Head (at coordinate 48.261084, -58.809464)

As a result, there is reason to believe that the sanitary conditions of the adjacent marine waters may have degraded to the point where accepted water quality standards have been exceeded and the contamination of the water would likely pose a risk to public health if shellfish in the affected area were harvested for consumption.

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-2022-216 comes into effect at 1400 hours on November 14, 2022.

In accordance with Appendix VIII of the CSSP Manual of Operations, these areas must remain closed for a minimum of seven days. There will be a Public Notice when the closure is lifted.

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 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 September 20, 2022: 

- Those waters adjacent to the community of Robert's Arm that are inside, or west, of a line drawn from 49.50631 degrees N, 55.78014 degrees W southeast to 49.48923 degrees N, 55.76915 degrees W (WGS84).

This closure was the result of the town of Roberts Arm having to shut down and by-pass the wastewater treatment plant.  This wastewater treatment plant has resumed operations.

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-2022-214 has been repealed effective 1400 hours on Tuesday, September 20, 2022.

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 closure 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 1700 hours on September 12, 2022:

From Grates Point at 48.172711, -52.941921 east and south to Western Point, Cape Race at 46.656144, -53.074678

As a result, there is reason to believe that the sanitary conditions of the adjacent marine waters may have degraded to the point where accepted water quality standards have been exceeded and the contamination of the water would likely pose a risk to public health if shellfish in the affected area were harvested for consumption.

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-2022-215 comes into effect at 1700 hours on September 12, 2022.

In accordance with Appendix VIII of the CSSP Manual of Operations, these areas must remain closed for a minimum of seven days. There will be a Public Notice when the closure is lifted.

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 closure 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 1600 hours August 15, 2022. This closure is a result of the town of Roberts Arm having to shut down and by-pass the wastewater treatment plant.

- Those waters adjacent to the community of Robert's Arm that are inside, or west, of a line drawn from 49.50631 degrees N, 55.78014 degrees W southeast to 49.48923 degrees N, 55.76915 degrees W (WGS84).

It is illegal to fish for molluscs or possess molluscs from these closed areas. More detailed information on these and other 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-2022-214 comes into effect 1600 hours Monday August 15, 2022.

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 of the re-opening and declassification* of various previously closed areas for the harvesting of all molluscan bivalve shellfish for recreational and commercial purposes in the following areas effective 1800 hours Monday, July 4, 2022:

    Western Arm, Middle Arm and Southern Arm, Green Bay:

That portion of Western Arm, Middle Arm and Southern Arm,  bounded by the shoreline and a series of straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed: 

49.70162 N 55.90968 W, to a point at 

49.69494 N 55.89189 W, then along the shoreline to a point at

49.69299 N 55.88503 W, to a point at 

49.68765 N 55.87893 W, then along the shoreline to a point at

49.68594 N 55.87644 W, to a point at 

49.68585 N 55.86551 W, then along the shoreline back to the point of commencement.

    Lockers Bay and Squid Arm, Bonavista Bay:

That portion of Lockers Bay bounded by the shoreline and a series of straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed:  

48.91218 N 53.89028 W, to a point at 

48.89884 N 53.88301 W, then along the shoreline to a point at

48.88736 N 53.98551 W, to a point at 

48.90203 N 53.99739 W, then along the shoreline to a point at 

48.89546 N 53.89377 W, to a point at 

48.89397 N 53.89766 W, then along the shoreline back to the point of commencement.

    Southwest Arm and West Arm, Trinity Bay:

The portion of Southwest Arm and West Arm that are inside, or northwest of a straight line drawn from: 

48.37890 N 53.36280 W, to a point at 

48.38265 N 53.35574 W, to a point at 

48.37607 N 53.34748 W, to a point at 

48.37426 N 53.34380 W, to a point at

48.37144 N 53.34220 W, to a point at 

48.36649 N 53.34508 W, to a point at 

48.35683 N 53.37640 W, to a point at     

48.35688 N 53.37862 W, to a point at 

48.36444 N 53.37755 W, to a point at 

48.36656 N 53.37875 W, to a point at 

48.36887 N 53.36796 W, to a point at 

48.36803 N 53.36839 W, the waters of Southwest Arm outside of 100 meters seaward parallel to shore, to a point at

48.37545 N  53.36151 W, then along the shoreline back to the point of commencement.

    Connaigre Barachois, Fortune Bay:

That portion of Connaigre Barachois bounded by the shoreline and a series of straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed:  

47.51516 N 55.81240 W, to a point at 

47.51076 N 55.80866 W, then along the shoreline to a point at 

47.50975 N 55.82408 W, to a point at 

47.50999 N 55.82395 W, then along the shoreline back to the point of commencement.

    Great Harbour, Fortune Bay:

That portion of Great Harbour bounded by the shoreline and a series of straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed:  

47.50931 N 55.85259 W, to a point at 

47.51069 N 55.85146 W, then along the shoreline to a point at  

47.50803 N 55.84379 W, to a point at 

47.50815 N 55.84919 W, then along the shoreline back to the point of commencement.

In addition, previously "Approved" classified waters have also been recently declassified* for the following areas:

    Haywards Gull Island/Pilley's Island Area, Notre Dame Bay

    Osmonton Arm and Besom Cove, Notre Dame Bay

    St Croix Bay (and Crawley Island area), Placentia Bay

    Middle Arm (Penguin and Goose Arms), Bay of Islands

More detailed information on these declassified areas as well as 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 Orders NSN-2022-025, NSN-2022-091, NSN-2022-102, NSN-2022-148, and NSN-2022-150 have been repealed effective 1800 hours Monday, July 4, 2022.

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

*The purpose of these re-openings is to declassify the waters, which consists of removing a classification assigned to a shellfish sector, and will ensure that the sectors becomes unclassified and is therefore no longer subject to CSSP controls such as monitoring. Since these declassified areas will no longer be monitored, shellfish should not be harvested from these areas for human consumption.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) advises of prohibition order revisions relating to the molluscan shellfish harvesting closures within the province. As noted below, most previously issued prohibition orders relating to these closures  have been repealed and replaced with new prohibition orders. All current closures will remain in effect and will apply to 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, northern moon snails, waved whelks, Stimpson's whelks (except sea scallops) for recreational or commercial purposes. 

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 Orders NSN-2000-006, NSN-2002-001, NSN-2003-008, NSN-2003-009, NSN-2006-002, NSN-2015-008, NSN-2016-024, NSN-2016-025, NSN-2016-026, NSN-2016-027, NSN-2016-028, NSN-2016-029, NSN-2016-031, NSN-2017-003, NSN-2017-004, NSN-2017-007, NSN-2021-001, NSN-2021-002, NTN-1995-006, NTN-1995-009, NTN-1995-010, NTN-1997-012,  NTN-2000-002, NTN-2003-001 have been repealed and Prohibition Orders NSN-2022-012 to 037, NSN-2022-039 to 045, NSN-2022-047 to 202, NSN-2022-205 to 208,  NSN-2022-212 and 213, NTN-2022-038, NTN-2022-046, NTN-2022-195 to 198, NTN-2022-203 and 204, and NTN-2022-209 to 211 come into effect at 1800 hours on June 28, 2022. 

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 closure to 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, northern moon snails, waved whelks, Stimpson's whelks, except sea scallops) for recreational or commercial purposes effective 1800hrs Tuesday, May 31, 2022 for the that portion of Tommy's Arm bounded by the shoreline and a series of straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed:

49.47304 N 55.75942 W, to a point at  

49.46774 N 55.76196 W, then along the shoreline to a point at 

49.46464 N 55.78563 W, to a point at 

49.47014 N 55.78963 W, then along the shoreline to a point at 

49.47103 N 55.77843 W, to a point at 

49.47234 N 55.77005, then along the shoreline back to the point of commencement.

More detailed information on other 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-2022-048 comes into effect 1800hrs Tuesday, May 31, 2022.

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 re-opening for the harvesting of all bivalve shellfish (including Arctic wedge clams, Softshell clam, Stimpson's surf clams, American oysters, Iceland scallops, Purple-hinge rock scallop, sea scallops) for recreational or commercial purposes effective 1200 hours (noon) on Tuesday May 3, 2022 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 other 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-2021-006 has been repealed effective 1200 hours (noon) on May 3, 2022.

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 re-opening for the harvesting of all bivalve shellfish (including Arctic wedge clams, Softshell clam, Stimpson's surf clams, American oysters, Iceland scallops, Purple-hinge rock scallop, sea scallops) for recreational or commercial purposes in the following areas effective 1400 hours on Monday, March 14, 2022:

West Coast of Newfoundland: from La Fontaine Point (north of Daniel's Harbour) at coordinate 50.476347,-57.475002, south to Robinsons Head (near Robinsons) at coordinate 48.261007, -58.809454.

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-2022-003 has been repealed effective 1400 hours Monday, March 14 2022.

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 re-opening and declassification* of portions of St. Lunaire Bay for the harvesting of all molluscan bivalve shellfish for recreational and commercial purposes in the following areas effective 1800 hours Thursday, March 10, 2022:

Those waters of St. Lunaire Bay that are inside a line drawn from White Dog Point (51.49054 N 55.45900 W) to Persil Cove, South Point (51.46953 N, long 55.47050 W) with the exception of those waters St. Lunaire Bay that remain closed for recreational or commercial purposes as follows:

• That portion of Northwest Bay inside a line connecting the following points: 51.49994 N 55.52749 W, and 51.49721 N 55.53168 W;

• That portion of Northwest Bay inside a line connecting the following points: 51.49318 N 55.52683 W, and 51.49004 N 55.52127 W;

• That portion of St. Lunaire Bay inside a line connecting the following points:51.48538 N 55.50704 W, and 51.47969 N 55.50780 W;

• That portion of Southwest Bay bounded by the shoreline and a series of straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed: 51.47885 N 55.49718 W, to a point at 51.48491 N 55.47784 W, then along the shoreline to a point at 51.48112 N 55.47853 W, to a point at 51.47897 N 55.47868 W, then along the shoreline to a point at 51.47371 N 55.47705 W, to a point at 51.47322 N 55.47914 W, then along the shoreline back to the point of commencement.

All other current molluscan bi-valve shellfish closures for White Bay and Green Bay will remain closed for recreational or commercial purposes including the following areas:

• That portion of Southwest Bay bounded by the shoreline and a series of straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed: 51.53752 N 55.46529 W, to a point at 51.53795 N 55.46385 W, to a point at 51.53813 N 55.46033 W, then along the shoreline to a point at 51.52390 N 55.46037 W, to a point at 51.52379 N 55.46082 W, then along the shoreline back to the point of commencement;

• That portion of Ariege Bay (Belvy bay) bounded by the shoreline and a series of straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed: 51.19536 N 56.00695 W, to a point at 51.19121 N 55.98351 W, then along the shoreline to a point at 51.17278 N 55.98696 W, to a point at 51.17105 N 55.98893 W, then along the shoreline to a point at 51.16959 N 55.99101 W, to a point at 51.16981 N 55.99788 W, then along the shoreline to a point at 51.17348 N 56.02098 W, to a point at 51.17429 N 56.02169 W, then along the shoreline back to the point of commencement;

• That portion of Chimney Bay inside a line connecting the following points: 50.84570 N 56.13780 W, to a point at 50.84479 N 56.13898 W, to a point at 50.84392 N 56.15561 W, to a point at 50.84298 N 56.15613 W;

• That portion of Middle Arm inside a line connecting the following points: 49.89757 N 56.46078 W, and 49.89798 N 56.44915 W;

• That portion of Fleur de Lys Harbour inside a line connecting the following points: 50.11698 N 56.12353 W, and 50.11533 N 56.12780 W;

• That portion of Northwest Bay inside a line connecting the following points: 51.56002 N 55.47411 W, and 51.55929 N 55.47909 W.

The closures noted above apply to the following molluscan bivalve shellfish: 

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, northern moon snails, waved whelks, Stimpson's whelks, except sea scallops.

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 NTN-2001-003 has been repealed and Prohibition Orders NTN-2022-005, NTN-2022-006, NTN-2022-008, NTN-2022-009, NTN-2022-010 and NTN-2022-011 comes into effect on 1800 hours Thursday, March 10, 2022.

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

*The purpose of this re-opening is to declassify the water, which consists of removing a classification assigned to a shellfish sector, and will ensure that the sector becomes unclassified and is therefore no longer subject to CSSP controls such as monitoring. Since this declassified area will no longer be monitored, shellfish should not be harvested from this area for human consumption.