Groundfish

DFO advises that the Atlantic Halibut fishery in NAFO Division 4R for Quebec-based vessel classes A722, A725, A774, A776, A791, A793, A819, A843, A861 and A855 will close at 2359 hours ADT on September 27, 2024.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2024-267 has been revoked and Variation Order 2024-270 comes into effect at 2000 hours on September 27, 2024.

"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 that 2J3KL Northern cod fishery will close for 3KL-based inshore fixed-gear harvesters in NAFO Divisions 2J3KL on Sunday, September 29, 2024 at 1800 hours for vessel classes A295, A296 and A283. This closure is necessary as landings are approaching the 3KL-based allocation (12,057 t).

Please note: Previous notice referenced the entire 2J3KL inshore fleet allocation (15,071 t).

DFO also advises that as per the CHP, 2J-based inshore fixed gear harvesters, vessel class A292, will not be authorized to fish in NAFO Divisions 3KL as of Sunday, September 29, 2024 at 1800 hours, and are restricted to fishing in NAFO Division 2J. 

The Department prioritizes safety at sea. If a harvester is unable to retrieve their gear by the close time due to safety, they are advised to contact their local C&P detachment.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2024-167 and 2024-265 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2024-271 and 2024-272 come into effect on September 28, 2024.

"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 as of Wednesday, September 18, landings for the 2024 Northern cod inshore 2J-based allocation have reached approximately 2,880 t (96%) of the amount allocated (3,014 t).

The Department will continue to closely monitor this fishery to ensure that the total harvest for the 2J-based allocation remains within the allocated amount. As per the Conservation Harvesting Plan (CHP), the fishery for the 2J-based fleet will close should landings approach the allocated amount prior to the end of the scheduled season.

Based on current activity, the amount allocated for the 2J-based fleet is anticipated to be reached early next week. The closure date will  be communicated in advance via a Notice to Fisher Harvesters.

"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" or "Notices to the Public" sent directly to you by email please contact Miranda.Pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO advises that the directed Atlantic halibut fishery in NAFO Sub-Division 3Ps will close for fixed gear vessels less than 65 feet using longlines at 1800 hours on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, as the quota is expected to be taken. There will be no Atlantic halibut bycatch permitted after this time.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2024-249 has been revoked and Variation Order 2024-267 comes into effect at 1400 hours on September 18, 2024.

"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

A number of 3KL-based inshore Northern cod harvesters may have received a duplicate set of Summer period licence conditions following the release of Fall period licence conditions via the National Online Licensing System (NOLS).

Please be advised that the conditions for the Fall period opening on September 15, released on September 11, remain valid. All harvesters fishing in the Fall period are to ensure they are fishing under conditions that are valid for the Fall period and that these conditions are printed and onboard the vessel. Fall conditions will not be reissued.

“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" or "Notices to the Public" sent directly to you by email please contact Miranda.Pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Effective at 0600 hours on Sunday, September 15, 2024, the Northern cod inshore fishery will reopen for the fall period as follows:

-Vessel Class A295 and A296 (3KL-based harvesters) will be authorized to fish in NAFO Division 2J3KL

-Vessel Class A292 (2J-based harvesters) will also be authorized to fish in NAFO Divisions 3KL

-Vessel Class A283 (3K Equivalents) will be authorized to fish NAFO Division 3K as defined in licence conditions.

Licence conditions for 3KL-based harvesters for the fall period will be available soon via the National Online Licensing System. As per the Conservation Harvesting Plan, the base authorized bi-weekly limits for the 3KL-based harvesters commencing September 15 are:

-Regular Season = 8,500 lbs. base bi-weekly

-Fall Only Option = 17,000 lbs. base bi-weekly

The fishery will be closely monitored to ensure the total harvest remains within the inshore fleet allocation. There is approximately 2,850 t remaining for 3KL-based harvesters, and 450 t remaining for 2J-based harvesters. In-season changes or adjustments will be communicated via a Notice to Fishers as needed.

Harvesters are reminded that you are not authorized to set gear prior to the fishery opening.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2024-261 has been revoked and Variation Order 2024-265 comes into effect on September 12, 2024.

“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" or "Notices to the Public" sent directly to you by email please contact Miranda.Pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO advises that the Northern cod fishery for vessel class A433 in NAFO Divisions 2J, 3K, and 3L for designates fishing on the Nunatsiavut Government Indigenous Allocation using fixed gear will open on Monday, September 9, 2024 at 0600 hours.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2024-231 has been revoked and Variation Order 2024-261 comes into effect on September 7, 2024.

"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" or "Notices to the Public" sent directly to you by email please contact Miranda.Pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO advises that the Atlantic Halibut hook and line (long line) fishery in NAFO Divisions 4RST, for fixed gear vessels less than 65 feet based in Western NL and Southern Labrador that elected to fish in Period 3, will now close at 2000 hours on September 8, 2024 due to unseasonable weather.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2024-230 has been revoked and Variation Order 2024-249 comes into effect on August 31, 2024.

"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 is aware that some 2J-based inshore Northern Cod harvesters have experienced issues regarding their licence conditions for the updated catch and gear limits via the National Online Licensing System (NOLS).

New 2J-based licence conditions are required and will be available after 9:00pm today, August 30, 2024 on NOLS. Please be advised that you must download and print these conditions prior to Sunday, September 1, 2024.

“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 miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO reminds 2J-based harvesters fishing in the Northern cod fishery (Vessel Class A292) that catch limits and gear limits will change on Sunday, September 1st as per the 2024 Conservation Harvesting Plan for this fishery. 

The authorized catch limit will change to a bi-weekly base limit of 45,000 lbs. and the authorized gear limits will also change. Further details on gear and catch limits can be found in the 2024 CHP: 2024 Conservation harvesting plan (CHP) - 2J3KL Northern Cod Fishery: Inshore Fleet

New licence conditions are required and will be available soon on the National Online Licensing System (NOLS).

Harvesters are reminded that they are to ensure that catch limits are not exceeded by setting only the amount of fishing gear that is necessary. 

“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 miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca