Pelagics

DFO advises that the details of the 2025 management measures for the 2J3KLPs Capelin fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador are now available at:

EN: 2J3KLPs Capelin Management Plan 2025

FR: Plan de gestion de la pêche du capelan dans les divisions 2J et 3KL et la sous-division 3Ps en 2025

"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 Capelin purse seine fishery for mobile gear vessels, less than and greater than 65', in Capelin Fishing Areas 13 and 14 (NAFO Division 4R) will open at 0600 hours on June 5, 2025.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2024-326 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2025-077 comes into effect on June 5, 2025.

"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 Capelin fixed gear fishery using traps and bar seine (including modified bar seine known as "tuck seine"), for the large vessel fleet (less than 65 feet (19.8m)) in the following areas will open at 0600 hours on June 5, 2025:

Capelin Fishing Area 12

Capelin Fishing Area 13

Capelin Fishing Area 14 from Cape Gregory to Point Riche.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2024-307 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-076 comes into effect on June 5, 2024.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 the fixed gear herring (gillnet/trap) fisheries for White Bay, Notre Dame Bay, Bonavista Bay, Trinity Bay, Conception Bay, the Southern Shore and St. Mary's Bay, (Herring Fishing Areas 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9) will close at 2000 hours on Sunday, June 15, 2025.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-066 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-072 will come into force on May 31, 2025.

"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 details of the 2025 management measures for the 4RST Capelin fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador are now available at:

Fisheries management decision 2025: Capelin in NAFO Divisions 4RST

Décision de gestion des pêches 2025 : Pêche du capelan dans les divisions 4RST de l’OPANO

"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 Herring fixed gear fishery (trap, gillnet, bar seine - including modified bar seine known as "tuck seine") in all of Herring Fishing Area 13 will close at 2000 hours May 27, 2025.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-045 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-066 will come into force at 1800 hours on May 27, 2025.

"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 fish harvesters that the opening date for the 2025 NL commercial Eel fishery in coastal waters is June 1, 2025.

Licences and conditions are available through DFO’s National On-line Licencing System and the site location conditions must be obtained from the DFO Detachment offices.

The eel fishery will close on October 31, 2025.

"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 reminds harvesters in Mackerel Fishing Areas 1 -14 the personal use mackerel bait fishery will open at 0600 hours on Thursday, May 15, 2025, for the initial 220 t allocation.

Harvesters participating in this personal use bait fishery are reminded:

• they will be restricted to a daily limit of 454 kg (1,000 lbs) to be fished by either gillnet or handline,

• a mandatory hail-in will be required for all harvesters participating in the personal use mackerel bait fishery,

• an accurate catch estimate must be provided prior to offloading your catch and harvesters must hail a trip summary to the Fish Harvesters’ Resource Centre at 1-877-884-7359 / 1-888-562-4511,

• harvesters will be alerted of closures through a Notice to Fish Harvesters,

• bait licences will be available through the National Online Licensing System.

"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 

Fisheries and Oceans Canada will be releasing a total allowable catch of 440 tonnes (t) for the Atlantic Mackerel personal-use bait fishery in two equal parts. This will be a competitive fishery and the first release of 220t will open to harvesters in all four DFO regions in Atlantic Canada and Quebec on Thursday, May 15, 2025.

For the NL Region in Mackerel Fishing Areas 1 -14 the personal use mackerel bait fishery will open at 0600 hours on Thursday, May 15, 2025.

Harvesters participating in this personal use bait fishery are reminded:

• they will be restricted to a daily limit of 454 kg (1,000 lbs) to be fished by either gillnet or handline,
• a mandatory hail-in will be required for all harvesters participating in the personal use mackerel bait fishery,
• an accurate catch estimate must be provided prior to offloading your catch and harvesters must hail a trip summary to the Fish Harvesters’ Resource Centre at 1-877-884-7359 / 1-888-562-4511,
• harvesters will be alerted of closures through a Notice to Fish Harvesters,
• bait licences will be available through the National Online Licensing System,
• the second 220t release will also be conveyed through a Notice to Fish Harvesters with an expected release date in September.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2024-317 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2025-050 will come into force on May 8, 2025.

"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 Minister approved management measures for the Atlantic Mackerel recreational fishery for 2025 and 2026.

Please be advised that when fishing recreationally for Atlantic Mackerel, the following management measure is in effect to support rebuilding of the stock:

1.    Reduction in the gear allowance to 1 line and 3 hooks when fishing Atlantic Mackerel recreationally. 

Fisheries and Oceans Canada will vary the gear allowance which prohibits recreational fishing with more than 5 lines or 1 fishing line with 6 hooks, as outlined in Section 49.01(d) of the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985, to 1 line and 3 hooks to reduce effort in the recreational fishery.

"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