Pelagics

DFO advises that the mobile gear herring (purse seine) fishery for 3K (Herring Fishing Areas 3-4) will close at 2000 hours on Friday, June 30, 2023.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2023-030 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-119 comes into effect on June 29, 2023.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

The Minister has announced a continuation of the closure of Atlantic mackerel commercial and bait fishing in Atlantic Canada and Quebec for the 2023 season to allow the stock to rebuild.

The results of the 2023 Canadian stock assessment found that Atlantic mackerel declined further in the critical zone since the last assessment, with spawning stock biomass at its lowest-observed value. The stock rebuilding potential is currently limited by a collapsed age structure due to overfishing, low recruitment, and high predation pressure.

Please be advised that the recreational and food, social and ceremonial fisheries will remain open. The exemption for the Bluefin tuna fleet to fish for live Atlantic mackerel bait will continue and alternative bait trials will begin this summer. The Department will monitor these fisheries to ensure that removals do not undermine the goal of rebuilding Atlantic mackerel.

Given the current closure in place, fish harvesters holding licences are not required to renew their licences as long as the fishery remains closed. The Department has no intention to cancel any mackerel licence as a result of the continued mackerel fishery closure. Mackerel licence eligibility will continue to be connected to the current licence holders and tracked in the Department’s licensing systems.

The Department is optimistic that the Atlantic mackerel stock can rebuild, and we are committed to supporting the future re-opening of the Atlantic mackerel commercial and bait fisheries.

DFO wishes to advise fixed gear capelin license holders with homeports in Green Bay and the portion of White Bay from Hampden to Cape John that the 2023 buddy-up applications are available.

Harvesters can request these forms by submitting a request through NOLS Submitting a Request and Checking the Request Status: Step-by-Step

- Select Submit Request

- Select Request Type – Partnership/Pooling/Buddy Up

- Enter “Capelin Buddy-up Application” in the comments section

Please note that Buddy-up Applications MUST BE SUBMITTED AND APPROVED each year PRIOR to the start of the 2023 capelin fishing season.

"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 fish harvesters that the opening date for the commercial eel fishery in inland waters using eel pots is July 1, 2023.

The season will open to fyke nets on August 15, 2023.

The eel fishery for all gear types will close on October 31, 2023.

Fish harvesters are reminded that closures due to environmental conditions on scheduled salmon rivers will result in closure of the eel fishery on these rivers. During the closures, fish harvesters will be permitted to leave the fyke nets in the rivers. However, the bag on the end of the net must be removed to permit the escapement of salmonids and eels.

"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 details of the 2023 management measures for the 2J3KLPs Capelin fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador are now available at:

2J3KLPs Capelin Management Plan 2023

Plan de gestion de la pêche du capelan dans les divisions 2J et 3KL et la sous-division 3Ps en 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 Capelin purse seine fishery for mobile gear vessels less than 65', in Capelin Fishing Areas 13 and 14 (NAFO Division 4R) will open at 0600 hours on June 21, 2023.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2023-097 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-108 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

DFO advises that the Capelin fixed gear fishery using traps and bar seine (including modified bar seine known as "tuck seine"), for vessels less than 65 feet (19.8m) in the following areas will open at 0600 hours on June 21, 2023:

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 2022-241 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-105 comes into effect on June 20, 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 Capelin purse seine fishery for mobile gear vessels, greater than 65', in Capelin Fishing Areas 13 and 14 (NAFO Division 4R) will open at 0600 hours on June 6, 2023. 

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2022-240 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-097 comes into effect on June 6, 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 details of the 2023 management measures for the 4RST Capelin fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador are now available at:

4RST Capelin Management Plan 2023

Plan de gestion de la pêche du capelan dans les divisions 4RST en 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 fixed gear herring (gillnet/trap) fisheries for White Bay and Notre Dame Bay (Herring Fishing Areas 3 and 4) will close at 2000 hours on Wednesday, June 14, 2023.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2023-092 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-095 comes into effect at on June 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