Pelagics

2025 Homewaters Bluefin Tuna Fishery Re-opening by Permit Only

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Notice description

DFO advises that the Bluefin Tuna fishery in NAFO Divisions 3KLNOP will open by permit only at 0600 hours on Saturday, September 20, 2025 for vessels with 2025 Bluefin tuna tag numbers: 253530, 253531, 253685, 253686, 253687, 253688, 253689, 253544, 253690, 253615, 253691, 253692, 253711, 253734, 253517, 253863.

Licence conditions will be available through DFO’s National On-line Licencing System for those harvesters who have been contacted.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-229 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-243 comes into effect on September 20, 2025.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

Issue Date
Notice Number
nf.25.238
Notice Year
2025
For information, contact:

Erin Dunne
Resource Manager - Pelagic Fisheries
Tel.: (709) 725-4582
E-mail: erin.dunne@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
 

2025 ATLANTIC MACKEREL BAIT FISHERY CLOSING

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Notice description

Fisheries and Oceans Canada will be closing the Atlantic mackerel bait fishery in all Mackerel Fishing Areas as of 1800 hours on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. This notice to stop fishing is for conservation purposes as landings are near the second 220 tonne portion of the total allowable catch (TAC).

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-204 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-242 comes into effect on September 10, 2025.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 

Issue Date
Notice Number
nf.25.235
Notice Year
2025
For information, contact:

Erin Dunne
Resource Manager - Pelagic Fisheries
Tel.: (709) 725-4582
E-mail: erin.dunne@dfo-mpo.gc.ca 
 

Commercial Eel Fishery

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Species Term
Notice description

DFO advises Eel harvesters that gear can be set in scheduled Salmon rivers effective immediately.

The Eel fishery will close to all gear types in all locations 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 

Issue Date
Notice Number
nf.25.234
Notice Year
2025
For information, contact:

Connie Dobbin-Vincent
Resource Manager
Tel. (709) 730-4173
E-mail: connie.dobbin-vincent@dfo-mpo.gc.ca 

2025 Homewaters Bluefin Tuna Fishery Closing

Notice Group Term
Species Term
Notice description

DFO advises that the Bluefin Tuna fishery in NAFO Divisions 3KLNOP for all vessels will close at 2359 hours on Sunday, August 31, 2025.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-146 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-229 comes into effect on August 30, 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 

Issue Date
Notice Number
nf.25.232
Notice Year
2025
For information, contact:

Erin Dunne
Resource Manager - Pelagic Fisheries
Tel.: (709) 725-4582
E-mail: erin.dunne@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
 

Fixed Gear (Bar/Tuck Seine) Herring Fishery Opening in White Bay (HFA 3)

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Species Term
Notice description

DFO advises that the Fixed Gear (Bar/Tuck Seine) Herring fishery will open on August 31, 2025 at 0600 hours in White Bay (Herring Fishing Area 3).

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-072 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2025-227 will come into force August 29, 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

Issue Date
Notice Number
nf.25.230
Notice Year
2025
For information, contact:

Kelly Firmage-O’Brien
Area Fisheries Manager
Tel.: (709) 685-0344
Email: Kelly.Firmage-OBrien@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Fixed Gear (Gillnet and Trap) Herring Fishery Opening in NAFO Division 3KL (HFA 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9)

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Species Term
Notice description

DFO advises that the Herring fixed gear fishery for Gillnet and Trap will open 0600 hours Sunday, August 31, 2025, for the following:

Herring Fishing Area 3 - White Bay
Herring Fishing Area 4 - Notre Dame Bay
Herring Fishing Area 5 - Bonavista Bay
Herring Fishing Area 6 - Trinity Bay
Herring Fishing Area 7 - Conception Bay
Herring Fishing Area 8 - Southern Shore
Herring Fishing Area 9 - St. Mary's Bay

Fish harvesters are reminded that logbooks are mandatory in these Fixed Gear Herring fisheries.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-072 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2025-227 will come into force August 29, 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

Issue Date
Notice Number
nf.25.229
Notice Year
2025
For information, contact:

Kelly Firmage-O’Brien
Area Fisheries Manager
Tel.: (709) 685-0344
Email: Kelly.Firmage-OBrien@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Mobile Gear Herring Fishery Opening in White Bay and Notre Dame Bay (HFA 3 & 4)

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Species Term
Notice description

DFO advises that the Mobile Gear (Purse Seine) Herring fishery will open on Sunday, August 24, 2025 at 0600 hours in White Bay and Notre Dame Bay (Herring Fishing Areas 3 and 4).

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2025-097 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-213 comes into force on August 23, 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 

Issue Date
Notice Number
nf.25.220
Notice Year
2025
For information, contact:

Kelly Firmage-O’Brien
Area Fisheries Manager
Tel.: (709) 685-0344
Email: Kelly.Firmage-OBrien@dfo-mpo.gc.ca 
 

Reminder: Capelin Fisheries Closed

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Species Term
Notice description

DFO reminds harvesters that all capelin fisheries in the Newfoundland and Labrador Region are closed.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2025-143 and 2025-147 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2025-211 and 2025-212 come into effect at 2200 hours on August 22, 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 

Issue Date
Notice Number
nf.25.221
Notice Year
2025
For information, contact:

Erin Dunne
Resource Manager - Pelagic Fisheries
Tel.: (709) 725-4582
E-mail: erin.dunne@dfo-mpo.gc.ca 

Reminder: Capelin Fisheries Closed

Notice Group Term
Species Term
Notice description

DFO reminds harvesters that all capelin fisheries in the Newfoundland and Labrador Region are closed.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2025-143 and 2025-147 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2025-211 and 2025-212 come into effect at 2200 hours on August 22, 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 

Issue Date
Notice Number
nf.25.221
Notice Year
2025
For information, contact:

Erin Dunne
Resource Manager - Pelagic Fisheries
Tel.: (709) 725-4582
E-mail: erin.dunne@dfo-mpo.gc.ca 

Atlantic Mackerel Bait Fishery Reopening

Notice Group Term
Species Term
Notice description

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) will release the second 220 tonne portion of the mackerel bait quota at 0500 hours on Monday, September 8, 2025 across all Mackerel Fishing Areas. Please be advised the Atlantic mackerel bait fishery is a competitive fishery and is intended for personal-use only.

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 Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region, gives notice that Variation Order 2025-104 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-204 comes into effect on August 22, 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 

Issue Date
Notice Number
nf.25.219
Notice Year
2025
For information, contact:

Erin Dunne
Resource Manager - Pelagic Fisheries
Tel.: (709) 725-4582
E-mail: erin.dunne@dfo-mpo.gc.ca