Fishery General

All commercial fish harvesters are reminded to review their 2022 licenses in the National Online Licensing System (NOLS) at National Online Licensing System as soon as possible to confirm that they have renewed all their 2022 commercial licenses and/or 2022 vessel registration(s).

In order to retain the privilege to be issued the licenses in the following year, commercial harvesters must renew both their commercial fishing licenses and vessel registrations on an annual basis, whether or not the harvester actively fished or used the vessel for harvesting in that year.

Also, all 2022 Individual Quota (IQ) fees must be paid, with the exception of commercial cod IQ fees. Commercial cod IQ fees are not required to be paid if the licence holder had no directed or incidental landings of cod; however, the groundfish license fee must still be paid each year.

Harvesters who have not yet renewed their licenses for 2022 are reminded that they must complete their license renewals before midnight, Friday, December 30, 2022. It is very important to be aware that any licenses and registrations that are not renewed before this date will not be available in the following year - these licences will be cancelled.

As well, DFO advises fish harvesters based in the Newfoundland and Labrador Region that the National Online Licensing System (NOLS) will not be available for renewal of 2022 fishing licenses after midnight Friday, December 30. This is to allow for year-end data updating processes and system maintenance.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) launched the National Online Licensing System in the spring of 2013 for fish harvesters to complete routine licensing transactions using a computer with internet access. This includes: renewing licenses and vessel registrations; paying the associated fees; and printing licenses, license conditions, payment receipts, and other licensing documents.

For more information about the NOLS system, visit Online Licensing or call 1-877-535-7307 if you need assistance.

Newfoundland and Labrador Region  - December 1, 2022

Fisheries and Oceans Canada announces that the timeline for harvesters to implement lower breaking strength gear modification requirements in non-tended fixed gear, trap and pot commercial fisheries in Atlantic Canada and Quebec is extended to 2024.

Canada is committed to protecting North Atlantic right whales and supporting their recovery. We continue to prioritize measures to prevent entanglements of North Atlantic right whales in fishing gear, closing areas to fishing when and where right whales are detected, and removing lost, abandoned and discarded fishing gear. The Department is reviewing available information to ensure that lower breaking strength fishing gear is safe, effective at protecting whales, and readily available. This is important for supporting harvesters as they transition successfully to equipment that better protects endangered whales.

The Department will continue its support for various whalesafe gear trials in relevant fisheries with a particular focus on ropeless and rope-on-demand gear, and its engagement with industry, other stakeholders and Indigenous partners. During 2023, the Department will announce further details regarding measures to protect North Atlantic right whales in Canadian fisheries, including the approach to implement appropriate whalesafe gear requirements over time. 

For more information:

Whalesafe Fishing Gear: Whalesafe fishing gear 

North Atlantic right whale protection measures: North Atlantic right whale

In response to the recent devastating impacts of Hurricane Fiona in Atlantic Canada and Eastern Quebec, Fisheries and Oceans Canada will be providing up to 28.4 million dollars through the Ghost Gear Fund to support for projects in the areas directly affected by Hurricane Fiona. The call for proposals is now open and application information can be found on the Ghost Gear Fund website. The funding will be available for projects focusing work on areas directly affected by Hurricane Fiona from April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024. Interested proponents will be required to submit an application by December 28, 2022 23:59 PST to be considered. This funding is in addition to the 1.5M announced recently which has been allocated through Ghost Gear Fund partners for immediate actions this fall in response to Hurricane Fiona. 

Fisheries and Oceans Canada is reminding harvesters that the reporting of lost gear is mandatory in all commercial fisheries, as outlined in commercial fishing license conditions, and should be done online through the Fishing Gear Reporting System. PDF versions of the lost and retrieved fishing gear forms are still available, if required. All commercial harvesters in Atlantic Canada are reminded to report gear that was lost as a result of Hurricane Fiona, including gear that was lost from areas of storage on land. This reporting enables the Department to identify hotspots for lost gear, prioritize areas for retrieval and also facilitates the return of usable gear to harvesters. 

If harvesters require help navigating the Fishing Gear Reporting System, they are encouraged to reach out to the Department for assistance at DFO.LostandRetrievedGear-EnginsPerdusRecupere.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

DFO advises that the portion of Scallop Fishing Area 11 (Fortune Bay) from Dantzic Point to Point Rosie will close to commercial harvest of scallop at 2000 hours October 15, 2022.

Harvesters are reminded to submit all weekly logs for this fishery to DFO as per conditions of licence.

"Notices to Fish Harvesters" for all commercial fisheries are 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: beverly.piccott@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO advises that the portion of Scallop Fishing Area 11 (Fortune Bay) from Dantzic Point to Point Rosie will open to a commercial harvest of scallop as a continuation of the 2017 pilot project at 1800 hours on July 28, 2022 and will close at 2000 hours on October 15, 2022.

Please note that additional reporting requirements for this fishery include the submission of weekly logs to DFO.

Please submit a request through the National Online Licensing System to indicate your interest and to receive licence conditions.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2022-110 has been revoked and Variation Order 2022-145 comes into effect at 1700 hours on July 28, 2022.

"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: Karen.Keats-Brett@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO advises that the fishery for White Hake in NAFO Division 3NO for vessel class A368 (Maritimes) using longline will open on Tuesday, July 5, 2022 at 06:00 hours.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2022-088 has been revoked and Variation Order 2022-100 comes into effect on July 1, 2022.

"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: Karen.Keats-Brett@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

In April 2021, amendments to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 (AFR) and the Maritime Provinces Fishery Regulations (MPFR) came into force creating new provisions that preserve and promote the independence of commercial inshore fisheries in Atlantic Canada and Quebec. 

Specifically, the regulatory changes:

- prohibit licence holders from transferring the use or control of rights and privileges conferred under the licence to any third party;

- restrict the issuance of inshore licences to licence holders who have not transferred the rights or privileges conferred under the licence; and

- prohibit anyone other than the licence holder from using and controlling the rights and privileges associated with a licence.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has developed guidance for industry, specifically inshore licence holders, on certain aspects of the implementation of these regulatory changes. Two new guidance documents on the issuance process and on compliant corporate structures are now available on DFO's website using the following links:

1) Licensing process overview - guidance-on-licencing-and-eligibility-review-process-eng.pdf

2) Guidance on corporate structure - guidance-on-corporate-structure-eng.pdf

If you would like more information regarding the inshore regulations, please visit: Inshore regulations

DFO advises that in 2022, the recreational groundfish fishery will be open for a total of 39 days. 

For the 2022 season, there is no requirement for licences or tags.

Species and Area:

The recreational groundfish fishery will occur in all NAFO areas/subareas around Newfoundland and Labrador, which includes 2GH, 2J3KL, 3Ps, 3Pn and 4R. Three exceptions are the Eastport, Gilbert Bay and Laurentian Channel Marine Protected Areas (MPA) where recreational groundfish fishing will not be permitted.

Season Dates:

Summer Season:

Saturday, July 02, 2022 to Monday, July 04, 2022

Saturday, July 09, 2022 to Monday, July 11, 2022

Saturday, July 16, 2022 to Monday, July 18, 2022

Saturday, July 23, 2022 to Monday, July 25, 2022

Saturday, July 30, 2022 to Monday, August 01, 2022

Saturday, August 06, 2022 to Monday, August 08, 2022

Saturday, August 13, 2022 to Monday, August 15, 2022

Saturday, August 20, 2022 to Monday, August 22, 2022

Saturday, August 27, 2022 to Monday, August 29, 2022

Saturday, September 03, 2022 to Monday, September 05, 2022

Fall Season:

Saturday, September 24, 2022 to Sunday, October 02, 2022

Recreational fishers are limited to five (5) groundfish per day (including Cod). However, the maximum boat limit when three or more people are fishing is 15 groundfish.

Provisions will continue that allow a person with a disability to designate a person to catch their daily limit of groundfish will continue. Applicants can access the designation for persons with a disability form here: Fisheries management decisions

First time applicants are required to download, complete and have their doctor/ophthalmologist complete a section of the form. However, individuals who are looking to renew can complete the form electronically by saving it and sending via email or clicking submit at the bottom of the form during which time an email will be generated for the applicant. Applicants are encouraged to submit their application electronically, via email. Applications received via regular mail may result in delays to processing your application.

For 2022, tour boat operators will be eligible to apply for a licence to seek an increased trip limit. This licence will have harvest reporting requirements.

Further details on all applicable Management Measures can be found at 2022 Newfoundland and Labrador recreational Groundfish fishery

For safety reasons, fishing is only permitted from one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset. The public is reminded to follow safe boating practices and be aware of local weather and sea conditions before leaving port.

Participants in the recreational groundfish fishery are further reminded to inspect their catch carefully for pink or yellow tags, located on the back of the fish. The tags are uniquely numbered and have a DFO address and reward value ($10 or $100) printed on them. Participants should return the tag along with the location and date of capture, and include their mailing address, to claim the tag reward. 

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2021-299 and 2021-300 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2022-080 and 2022-081 come into effect on June 21, 2022.

"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: Karen.Keats-Brett@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO advises that in 2022, the recreational groundfish fishery will be open for a total of 39 days. 

For the 2022 season, there is no requirement for licences or tags.

Species and Area:

The recreational groundfish fishery will occur in all NAFO areas/subareas around Newfoundland and Labrador, which includes 2GH, 2J3KL, 3Ps, 3Pn and 4R. Three exceptions are the Eastport, Gilbert Bay and Laurentian Channel Marine Protected Areas (MPA) where recreational groundfish fishing will not be permitted.

Season Dates:

Summer Season:

Saturday, July 02, 2022 to Monday, July 04, 2022

Saturday, July 09, 2022 to Monday, July 11, 2022

Saturday, July 16, 2022 to Monday, July 18, 2022

Saturday, July 23, 2022 to Monday, July 25, 2022

Saturday, July 30, 2022 to Monday, August 01, 2022

Saturday, August 06, 2022 to Monday, August 08, 2022

Saturday, August 13, 2022 to Monday, August 15, 2022

Saturday, August 20, 2022 to Monday, August 22, 2022

Saturday, August 27, 2022 to Monday, August 29, 2022

Saturday, September 03, 2022 to Monday, September 05, 2022

Fall Season:

Saturday, September 24, 2022 to Sunday, October 02, 2022

Recreational fishers are limited to five (5) groundfish per day (including Cod). However, the maximum boat limit when three or more people are fishing is 15 groundfish.

Provisions will continue that allow a person with a disability to designate a person to catch their daily limit of groundfish will continue. Applicants can access the designation for persons with a disability form here: Fisheries management decisions

First time applicants are required to download, complete and have their doctor/ophthalmologist complete a section of the form. However, individuals who are looking to renew can complete the form electronically by saving it and sending via email or clicking submit at the bottom of the form during which time an email will be generated for the applicant. Applicants are encouraged to submit their application electronically, via email. Applications received via regular mail may result in delays to processing your application.

For 2022, tour boat operators will be eligible to apply for a licence to seek an increased trip limit. This licence will have harvest reporting requirements.

Further details on all applicable Management Measures can be found at 2022 Newfoundland and Labrador recreational Groundfish fishery

For safety reasons, fishing is only permitted from one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset. The public is reminded to follow safe boating practices and be aware of local weather and sea conditions before leaving port.

Participants in the recreational groundfish fishery are further reminded to inspect their catch carefully for pink or yellow tags, located on the back of the fish. The tags are uniquely numbered and have a DFO address and reward value ($10 or $100) printed on them. Participants should return the tag along with the location and date of capture, and include their mailing address, to claim the tag reward.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2021-299 and 2021-300 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2022-080 and 2022-081 come into effect on June 21, 2022.

"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: Karen.Keats-Brett@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

REBUILDING KEY FORAGE FISH STOCKS FOR HEALTHIER EAST COAST FISHERIES

On March 30, 2022, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honourable Joyce Murray, announced there would be no directed commercial or bait fishing for southern Gulf spring herring and a closure of the Atlantic mackerel commercial and bait fisheries in Atlantic Canada and Quebec.

In connection with this announcement, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) would like to remind the industry, and in particular, current and potential southern Gulf spring herring and Atlantic mackerel inshore licences holders, that it is their responsibility to take into consideration the closures and any impact these might have in their fishing activities and on all requests made to DFO.  It is also the industry’s responsibility to inform all third parties involved in their  fishing activities that could be impacted by this decision.  

Fishers are also reminded that as a result of decisions made under the authority of the Fisheries Act,  licences may not be issued or fisheries may be closed from time to time for conservation reasons. In these circumstances, fishers must assume the risk associated with business decisions such as licence reissuance requests.

Given the closure in place in the Atlantic mackerel fishery, fish harvesters holding licences that are only for commercial or bait Atlantic mackerel fishing are not required to renew their licenses to maintain eligibility as long as the fishery remains closed for conservation reasons, as provided by the current commercial fisheries licensing policy for eastern Canada.

For southern Gulf spring herring, licences will require renewal to access the fall fishery as both species are accessible through the same licence. 

We would also like to take this opportunity to highlight that DFO will take the necessary steps and notify affected licence holders about any refund to which they may be entitled.

For more information, you can contact one of DFO’s regional licensing offices.