Groundfish

DFO advises that the Atlantic Halibut fishery in NAFO Division 4R for Quebec-based vessel classes A2343 to A2456 will open at 0430 hours EDT on July 14, 2023 and close on September 22, 2023 at 2359 hours EDT.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2023-121 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-131 comes into effect on July 12, 2023.

"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 of the season dates and catch limits for the 2023 2J3KL Northern cod Stewardship fishery as indicated below.

Season Dates:

In NAFO division 2J, the fishery is scheduled to open on Sunday, July 23 and is scheduled to close on Saturday October 14, 2023.

In NAFO divisions 3KL, the fishery is scheduled to open on Sunday, July 23 and is scheduled to close on Saturday November 4, 2023.

Catch Limits (all weights are round weight):

In NAFO division 2J, the following 2023 base bi-weekly authorized catch limits for cod apply:

July 23 - September 2: 30,000 lbs base bi-weekly

September 3 - October 14: 40,000 lbs base bi-weekly

In NAFO divisions 3KL, the following 2023 base weekly authorized catch limits for cod apply:

July 23 – September 9: 3,850 lbs base/week

September 10 - November 4: 8,500 lbs base bi-weekly

For fish harvesters that have acquired additional cod shares through enterprise combining adjusted catch limits will be identified in their licence conditions.

To promote the distribution of catch throughout the season in 2023, harvesters will have the option of fishing the regular season at the weekly base catch limits identified above, or they may opt to fish only during the fall from September 10 to November 4, 2023 in 3KL.

Fall only Fishery Option (applicable to NAFO Divisions 3KL only):

Fish harvesters that choose the 3KL fall only fishery option will not be able to fish prior to September 10 and may only fish from September 10 - November 4, 2023 with a limit of 17,000 lbs base bi-weekly (round weight).

Fish harvesters that want to avail of the 3KL fall only fishery option MUST indicate their intention via e-mail to Robyn.Lee@dfo-mpo.gc.ca  by Monday, July 17, 2023.

Harvesters must provide their FULL NAME, FIN, HOMEPORT in their email.

Any harvester who does not select the fall only fishery option by the deadline will receive conditions authorizing them to fish in the same NAFO area as their homeport. A 2J based licence holder will receive conditions for July 23 - October 14 and a 3KL based licence holder will receive conditions for the regular season (July 23 - November 4) at the catch limits identified above.

Should in-season adjustments to catch limits or seasons be required, industry will be consulted and updates will be communicated to harvesters via a Notice to Fishers.

The Conservation and Harvesting Plan (CHP) will be available online soon at: Decisions for Atlantic Canada, Quebec and the Arctic - 2023

Additional changes to note for 2023:

New for 2023: Prior to submitting your 2023 groundfish logbook you must make and maintain a copy of each fishing trip, which must be available for inspection upon request of a Fishery Officer.

As in previous years, fish harvesters will have the option to change their fishing area outside of their homeport (i.e. 2J to 3KL, or 3KL to 2J). 

New for 2023: A harvester wishing to change their fishing area must indicate their intention via e-mail to Robyn.Lee@dfo-mpo.gc.ca  no later than July 21, 2023.

DFO advises that the 3Ps portion of the Unit 2 Redfish Fishery for the mobile and fixed gear fleets will open at 0600 hours on July 1, 2023.

The 3Pn portion of the Unit 2 Redfish Fishery for the mobile gear fleets will open at 0600 hours on July 15, 2023.

"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 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 2, will open at 0600 hours on Monday, July 3, 2023. This fishery is open to Vessel class A288 and will close at 2000 hours on July 16, 2023.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2023-104 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-121 comes into effect on June 30, 2023.

"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: danielle.nichols@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO advises that the management approach for the 2023 2J3KL Northern cod stewardship fishery has been announced.

Further details can be found online at the following website:

Decisions for Atlantic Canada, Quebec and the Arctic - 2023
 

DFO advises that the Atlantic Halibut fishery in NAFO Sub-Division 3Pn, for vessels less than 65 feet using hook and line gear, will close at 1200 hours on June 24, 2023. The reason for the closure is that the available harvesting cap for this fishery is about to be reached. Fish harvesters are reminded that all fishing gear must be removed from the water by closing time.

"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 the Atlantic Halibut fishery in NAFO Sub-Division 3Pn, for vessels less than 65 feet using hook and line gear, will close at 1200 hours on June 23, 2023. The reason for the closure is that the available harvesting cap for this fishery is about to be reached. Fish harvesters are reminded that all fishing gear must be removed from the water by closing time.

"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 the 3Ps fixed gear Winter Flounder (Blackback) fishery for vessels less than 65' will open at 0600 hours on Friday June 23, 2023.

Bycatch of Atlantic halibut is permitted, limits are outlined in General Groundfish Conditions.

"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: danielle.nichols@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO advises that the 2+3KLMNO Mobile Gear Greenland halibut (Turbot) fishery will close on June 21, 2023 at 2000 hours as the quota has been taken. 

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2023-102 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-109 comes into effect on June 21, 2023. 

"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: Yolanda.fillier@dfo-mpo.gc.ca. 
 

DFO advises that the Witch flounder (Greysole) fishery for vessels less than 65 feet, using Danish seine (vessel classes C50 and C351), will open in NAFO sub-Division 4Rd - from a line drawn due west of Cape Ray, north to a line drawn due west of Cape St. George at 0600 hours on June 23, 2023.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2022-251 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-110 comes into effect on June 21, 2023.

"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: danielle.nichols@dfo-mpo.gc.ca