Fishery General

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General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2022-088 has been revoked and Variation Order 2022-100 comes into effect on July 1, 2022.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

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) would like to remind harvesters that the reporting of lost gear is mandatory in all commercial fisheries as outlined in commercial fishing license conditions.

In July 2021 Fisheries and Oceans Canada launched an online Fishing Gear Reporting System. Fish harvesters can now easily access and submit the required lost or retrieved gear reporting forms simply and efficiently. This reporting helps the Department and other partners locate and remove lost gear from our waters and, in many cases, return the gear to its rightful owner. 

Access to the reporting system as well as PDF forms, if required, continue to be available at the commercial reporting website. Harvesters may report their lost and retrieved gear through either the reporting system or through ELOGS, if available. If you have questions or require assistance using the reporting system, please E-mail: DFO.LostandRetrievedGear-EnginsPerdusRecupere.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Commercial reporting website: Reporting requirements for commercial fisheries

New reporting system: Sign in

PDF versions, if required:

Lost fishing gear form: Lost fishing gear form

Retrieval of previously reported lost fishing gear form: Retrieval of previously reported lost fishing gear form

"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: beverly.piccott@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO advises that a Questionnaire regarding the 39'11" Vessel Length overall for Inshore Core Enterprises went out on March 21, 2022 to all Core licence holders through the email addresses provided in NOLS. Please check your email or with your NOLS representative to respond to the questionnaire.

All responses must be sent via email. Please note the deadline to respond is April 4th, 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: beverly.piccott@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

In 2022, all commercial fisheries in Canada have a new condition of licence relating to the discharge of garbage from Canadian fishing vessels. This condition is authorized under the Fisheries Act and reads as follows:

The licence holder/operator is prohibited from discarding in Canadian fisheries waters from their vessel any item that may be harmful to fish or fish habitat including but not limited to plastics, ropes, fishing gear, garbage bags, fuel, oil, rags, glass, bottles, metal, extruded polystyrene foam (e.g. Styrofoam), and tires.

This new condition of licence demonstrates Canada's further support for the global recognition of the ecological harm caused by marine pollution; specifically marine plastics. This aligns with the prohibition on the discard of garbage into the ocean pursuant to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act and the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) Annex V, which prohibits the discharge of garbage into the sea from ships.

DFO reminds harvesters that the following Marine Conservation Areas remain closed:

Funk Island Deep Closure

Hatton Basin Conservation Area

Hawke Channel Closure

Hopedale Saddle Closure

Division 3O Coral Closure

Northeast Newfoundland Slope Closure

These areas are closed to various vessel classes and fishing gear. 

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

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans would like to remind harvesters that a virtual Outreach meeting this evening for NAFO Sub division 3Ps.

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 Department would also like to take the opportunity to discuss recent changes to various licensing processes and to seek input on the vessel replacement length policy. 

The proposed agenda is as follows: 

1. Introduction. 

2. Licencing requests, NOLS and service standards. 

3. Vessel Replacement Length Policy 

4. Inshore Regulations. 

5. Open Agenda. 

3Ps Outreach

Mar 2, 2022 07:00 PM - 09:00 PM Newfoundland and Labrador

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 985 0576 6242

Passcode: 394050

OR

Dial by using any of the Canadian numbers below and entering the meeting ID and passcode provided:

1 204 272 7920 

1 438 809 7799 

1 587 328 1099 

1 647 374 4685 

1 647 558 0588 

1 778 907 2071 

Meeting ID: 985 0576 6242

Passcode: 394050