Groundfish

DFO advises that the Atlantic Halibut fishery in NAFO Division 4R for Quebec-based vessel classes A138 to A144, A500 to A700, A949 to A990 and A2343 to A2456 will open at 0500 hours EDT on April 1, 2023 and close 2359 hours EDT on May 14, 2023.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2022-262 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-018 comes into effect on April 1, 2023.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 fishery for Atlantic Halibut in NAFO Division 3NO, for vessel classes A336 and C897 (Maritimes) using longline will open on Saturday, April 1, 2023 at 0600 hours.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2022-262 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-018 comes into effect on April 1, 2023.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 Greenland Halibut fishery in NAFO Division 4R for Quebec based vessel classes A500 to A700 will open at 0500 hours EDT on April 1, 2023 and close at 2359 hours EDT on May 14, 2023.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2023-049 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-017 comes into effect on April 1, 2023.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 directed Atlantic Halibut fishery in NAFO Sub-Division 3Pn, for vessels less than 65 feet using hook and line gear, will open at 0600 hours on April 1, 2023.

In consultation with industry, a predetermined closure of the directed Atlantic halibut fishery in NAFO Sub-Division 3Pn will occur from April 20, 2023, until May 15, 2023. Notwithstanding this predetermined closure, the directed Atlantic halibut fishery in NAFO Sub-Division 3Pn may close outside of these dates should the bycatch of cod exceed established protocols.

Fish harvesters are reminded that:

- All licence holders are required to hail-out, at least three hours before leaving port, to the DFO toll-free number at 1-877-637-4315.

"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 Skate Fishery in NAFO Sub-Division 3Ps for the 2022-23 season, for mobile gear vessels less than 65 feet, will close at 2359 hours on Friday March 31, 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 Unit 2 Redfish Fishery in NAFO Sub-Division 3Ps will close for all fleets at 2359 hours Friday March 31, 2023.

This closure is consistent with the Conservation Harvesting Plan (CHP) for this fishery.

Fish harvesters are reminded that all fishing gear must be removed from the water prior to the closure.

"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 Greenland Halibut (Turbot) fishery for vessels less than 65' using gillnets and hook and line gear, will close at 2359 hours Friday, March 31, 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 3Ps fixed gear Winter Flounder (Blackback) fishery for vessels less than 65' will close at 2359 hours Friday March 31, 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 Witch Flounder (Greysole) fishery for Danish Seine vessels less than 65 feet (VC C50 and C351) will close in NAFO Sub-Division 3Ps, at 2359 hours Friday March 31, 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 reminds harvesters involved in groundfish fisheries throughout NAFO Division 4R, that various fisheries will begin to open in the next few weeks. Harvesters are reminded that a portion of NAFO sub-Division 4Rd and 4Rc (Bay St. George and Port au Port Bay), is closed to ALL groundfish fishing until midnight, Thursday, June 23, 2023.

The purpose of this closure is to protect the Cod spawning activity occurring in this area.

The specific area of the closure is near the entrance to Bay St. George and Port au Port Bay, defined by straight lines drawn from the following coordinates:

- 48 degrees 15" North, 59 degrees 20" west, to

- 49 degrees 10" North, 59 degrees 20" west, to

- 49 degrees 10" North, 60 degrees 00" west, to

- 48 degrees 15" North, 60 degrees 00" west, to

- 48 degrees 15" North, 59 degrees 20" west.

"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