Fishery General

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans would like to advise that the in-person Outreach meeting in Renews, for November 4, 2025, is postponed and will be rescheduled at a later date.

"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 (DFO) wishes to advise that in-person Outreach Meetings will be held throughout the Region in the coming weeks.

These meetings are intended to provide inshore harvesters and other interested stakeholders an opportunity to engage in open dialogue regarding matters of concern related to the inshore fisheries.

NAFO Division 3L

Monday, November 3, 2025 – Dildo, SUF Hall: 2:00–4:00 PM

Tuesday, November 4, 2025 – Branch, Branch Community Center: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM

Tuesday, November 4, 2025 – Renews, Town Hall: 6:00–8:00 PM

Wednesday, November 5, 2025 – Bay De Verde, Town Hall: 1:00–3:00 PM

Thursday, November 6, 2025 – Salvage, 50+ Club: 1:00–3:00 PM

NAFO Division 3PS

Tuesday, November 18, 2025 – Placentia, Placentia Cultural Arts Centre: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM

Wednesday, November 19, 2025 – Grand Bank, Burin Peninsula Hotel – Dining Room: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM

Thursday, November 20, 2025 – Hermitage, Community Centre – Fire Dept Room: 1:00–3:00 PM

For further information, please contact your local DFO office.

"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 (DFO) wishes to advise that in-person Outreach Meetings will be held throughout the Region in the coming weeks.

These meetings are intended to provide inshore harvesters and other interested stakeholders an opportunity to engage in open dialogue regarding matters of concern related to the inshore fisheries.

NAFO Division 3K

Monday, October 27, 2025 – Carmenville, Recreation Center: 2:00–4:00 PM

Tuesday, October 28, 2025 – Robert's Arm, Town Hall: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM

Thursday, October 30, 2025 – St. Anthony, Lions Club: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM

Thursday, October 30, 2025 – Roddickton-Bide Arm, Cross Country Arena: 3:00–5:00 PM

NAFO Division 3L

Monday, November 3, 2025 – Dildo, SUF Hall: 2:00–4:00 PM

Tuesday, November 4, 2025 – Branch, Branch Community Center: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM

Tuesday, November 4, 2025 – Renews, Town Hall: 6:00–8:00 PM

Wednesday, November 5, 2025 – Bay De Verde, Town Hall: 1:00–3:00 PM

Thursday, November 6, 2025 – Salvage, 50+ Club: 1:00–3:00 PM

NAFO Divisions 4R3Pn

Monday, October 27, 2025 – Stephenville, Day’s Inn: 1:00–3:00 PM

Tuesday, October 28, 2025 – Rocky Harbour, Fisherman’s Landing: 1:00–3:00 PM

Wednesday, October 29, 2025 – Plum Point, Plum Point Motel: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM

NAFO Division 3PS

Tuesday, November 18, 2025 – Placentia, Placentia Cultural Arts Centre: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM

Wednesday, November 19, 2025 – Grand Bank, Burin Peninsula Hotel – Dining Room: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM

Thursday, November 20, 2025 – Hermitage, Community Centre – Fire Dept Room: 1:00–3:00 PM

NAFO Division 2J

Monday, October 27, 2025 – Cartwright, 50 Plus Club: 1:00–4:00 PM

Monday, October 27, 2025 – Port Hope Simpson, Alexis Hotel Dining Room: 6:00–8:00 PM

Tuesday, October 28, 2025 – Mary’s Harbour, Recreation Commission: 9:00 AM–12:00 PM

Tuesday, October 28, 2025 – St. Lewis, Town Hall: 2:00–4:00 PM

Wednesday, October 29, 2025 – Charlottetown, Town Hall: 9:00 AM–12:00 PM

For further information, please contact your local DFO office.

"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 Canada (DFO) is conducting research to better understand the impacts of abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG), commonly referred to as Ghost Gear, on commercial fish stocks and the environment. DFO has developed an anonymous survey to better understand the types of fishing gear commonly lost, the causes of loss, and the practices used to avoid loss.   

Survey: Capture Fishing Survey

Please complete the survey by Wednesday, October 29. There is no personal information collected in the survey. It should take about 20 minutes to complete. Thank you for completing this survey.

"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 (DFO) wishes to advise that in-person Outreach Meetings will be held throughout the Region in the coming weeks.

These meetings are intended to provide inshore harvesters and other interested stakeholders an opportunity to engage in open dialogue regarding matters of concern related to the inshore fisheries.

NAFO Division 3K
Monday, October 27, 2025 – Carmenville, Recreation Center: 2:00–4:00 PM
Tuesday, October 28, 2025 – Robert's Arm, Town Hall: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Thursday, October 30, 2025 – St. Anthony, Lions Club: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Thursday, October 30, 2025 – Roddickton-Bide Arm, Cross Country Arena: 3:00–5:00 PM

NAFO Division 3L
Monday, November 3, 2025 – Dildo, SUF Hall: 2:00–4:00 PM
Tuesday, November 4, 2025 – Branch, Branch Community Center: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Tuesday, November 4, 2025 – Renews, Town Hall: 6:00–8:00 PM
Wednesday, November 5, 2025 – Bay De Verde, Town Hall: 1:00–3:00 PM
Thursday, November 6, 2025 – Salvage, 50+ Club: 1:00–3:00 PM

NAFO Divisions 4R3Pn
Monday, October 27, 2025 – Stephenville, Day’s Inn: 1:00–3:00 PM
Tuesday, October 28, 2025 – Rocky Harbour, Fisherman’s Landing: 1:00–3:00 PM
Wednesday, October 29, 2025 – Plum Point, Plum Point Motel: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM

NAFO Division 3PS
Tuesday, November 18, 2025 – Placentia, Placentia Cultural Arts Centre: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Wednesday, November 19, 2025 – Grand Bank, Burin Peninsula Hotel – Dining Room: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Thursday, November 20, 2025 – Hermitage, Community Centre – Fire Dept Room: 1:00–3:00 PM

NAFO Division 2J
Monday, October 27, 2025 – Cartwright, 50 Plus Club: 1:00–4:00 PM
Monday, October 27, 2025 – Port Hope Simpson, Alexis Hotel Dining Room: 6:00–8:00 PM
Tuesday, October 28, 2025 – Mary’s Harbour, Recreation Commission: 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Tuesday, October 28, 2025 – St. Lewis, Town Hall: 2:00–4:00 PM
Wednesday, October 29, 2025 – Charlottetown, Town Hall: 9:00 AM–12:00 PM

For further information, please contact your local DFO office.

"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 would like to remind harvesters, buyers and the public that you are responsible for submitting commercial fishing logs and purchase slips to the Department as per section 61 of the Fisheries Act and Schedule 4 of the commercial fishing licence.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is advising clients that alternative means of delivery, for all items normally sent through regular Canada Post mail, should be used for the duration of any postal services disruption.  These alternate options are also available once the disruption is over.

DFO has various alternate options in place, to enable the timely submission of fishing logs and purchase slips to the department, such as:

• You may hand deliver fishing logs and purchase slips to the nearest DFO Area Office (Goose Bay, Corner Brook, Grand Falls – Windsor, and Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Centre (NAFC) St. John’s). *NAFC drop-off box is located at the Security Gate and will be accessible Monday to Friday, 9:30 am – 3:30 pm, for the duration of any postal services disruption.  

• You may use local courier services available to deliver fishing logs and purchase slips to DFO.
For delivery of commercial fishing logs and purchase slips, mailing addresses and contact information are noted below:

1. Corner Brook
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Area Statistics Office
1 Regent Square
Corner Brook, NL
A2H 7K6
Statistics contact Phone (709) 637-4322 or (709) 637-4323

2. Grand Falls-Windsor
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Area Statistics Office
4A Bayley Street, Suite 200
Grand Falls – Windsor, NL
A2A 2T5
Statistics contact Phone (709) 292-5180 or (709) 292-5181

3. St. John’s
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Client Service Center
80 East White Hills Rd
St. John’s, NL
A1C 5X1
Statistics contact Phone (709) 292-5180 or (709) 772-5046

4. Goose Bay
Fisheries & Oceans Canada, Licensing
202 Kelland Drive
P.O. Box 7003, Station C
Goose Bay, NL
A0P 1C0
Statistics contact Phone (709) 636-6653

"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) would like to remind fish harvesters to ensure the removal of all set fishing gear from the water at the end of fishing seasons, and to report all lost fishing gear as outlined in commercial fishing license conditions.

In July 2021, DFO launched the online Fishing Gear Reporting System (FGRS). Fish harvesters can easily access and submit the required lost or retrieved gear reporting forms simply and efficiently. This reporting helps the Department locate and remove lost gear from our waters and, where possible, return the gear to its rightful owner. 

Depending on your regional COLs, you can choose to use any of the following available reporting tools:

Fishing Gear Reporting System (FGRS)

Electronic Logbook (ELOG)
Complete the section reserved for that purpose in the electronic logbook (ELOG)

PDF Fishing Gear Form

DFO advises that the Fisheries Licensing Policy for Newfoundland and Labrador Region has been amended to include recommendations stemming from industry engagements on vessels and related policies that support owner-operator.

Effective immediately for the 2025 fishing season, the following changes have been implemented:

• Secondary Vessel Length: The maximum authorized length for secondary vessels has been increased to 39’11” for all enterprises.

• Non-Core Vessel Length: Non-core enterprises may now register primary vessels up to 49’11”, aligning with the length restrictions for core enterprises.

• Vessel Registration Duration: A new flexibility has been introduced for the 12-month vessel registration period, allowing a 30-day grace period in the final month.

These changes will be reflected online soon. Harvesters seeking further details are encouraged to contact their local DFO area office.

For more information on the Fisheries Licensing Policy for Newfoundland and Labrador Region, please visit:  Fisheries Licensing Policy Newfoundland and Labrador Region

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) wishes to remind harvesters that ELOGs are mandatory for the 2025 fishing season for the following fisheries: Unit 1 Redfish, Lobster, and Snow crab for the full-time and mid-shore fleets.

To date in 2025, over 1,500 harvesters in the Newfoundland and Labrador Region are successfully using ELOGs with approximately 20,000 ELOG submissions. DFO acknowledges that some harvesters have expressed difficulties using ELOGs, and wishes to remind harvesters of the following resources available:

Information on ELOGs, ELOG providers, and frequently asked questions and answers can be found on DFO’s website at: Electronic logbooks (ELOGS)

Harvesters requiring additional information can contact DFO directly by:
Telephone: 1-877-535-7307

Telephone support is available Monday to Friday (excluding holidays) from 07:00 to 17:00 (Eastern time).
TTY: 1-800-465-7735

For email support: Email: fishing-peche@dfo-mpo.gc.ca  (please include your name and the DFO Region in which you are located). Emails will receive a response within a few business days.

Guidance and technical support for ELOG Client Applications is provided by ELOG suppliers. ELOG provider websites provide training materials and videos to help harvesters understand their products better. Harvesters with questions on the use of the ELOG technology should consult with the Providers for product support.

DFO would also like to advise harvesters that for the 2025 fishing season in the Newfoundland and Labrador Region, inactive harvesters will not be required to purchase an ELOG. The Department will follow up with further information on how to confirm inactivity.

The Department remains committed to working with industry as we continue to improve and enhance our catch reporting services.

"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 harvesters that the following Marine Conservation Areas remain closed:

Hatton Basin Conservation Area

Hopedale Saddle Closure

Hawke Channel Closure

Funk Island Deep Closure

Northeast Newfoundland Slope Closure

Division 3O Coral Closure

Gilbert Bay Marine Protected Area

Eastport Marine Protected Area

Laurentian Channel Marine Protected Area

These areas have varying fisheries restrictions/prohibitions.

More information on the details of these conservation measures can be found at:

(English) Canada’s marine protected and conserved areas   

(French) Aires marines protégées et conservées du Canada  

"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