Shellfish

DFO advises that in accordance with the soft-shell protocol, the following grids in Crab Fishing Area 4 in NAFO Division 3K will close to fishing Snow Crab and Northern Shrimp at 2400 hours on May 25, 2026 due to a high incidence of soft-shell crab:

Grid AC 38

These grids will be closed to Snow crab fishing for the remainder of the year. Harvesters should note that all gear in these grids must be removed immediately. Gear must be hauled and not reset on your next fishing trip.

The closure for Northern shrimp is in effect for 60 days, and will re-open on July 24, 2026, if the shrimp fishery is open at that time.

Grid quadrant AC 38 is defined as the area bounded by the following coordinates:

50° 40' North, 54° 10' West;
50° 40' North, 54° 00' West;
50° 30' North, 54° 00' West;
50° 30' North, 54° 10' West; 
50° 40' North, 54° 10' West.

Public Notices are available online in the Fishery Notices section of the DFO Newfoundland and Labrador Region webpage at Newfoundland and Labrador Region.

If you would like all Public Notices sent to you directly by email, please contact: NLPRI@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
 

DFO advises that in accordance with the soft-shell protocol, the following grids in Crab Fishing Area 4 in NAFO Division 3K will close to fishing Snow Crab and Northern Shrimp at 2400 hours on May 25, 2026 due to a high incidence of soft-shell crab:

Grid AC 38

These grids will be closed to Snow crab fishing for the remainder of the year. Harvesters should note that all gear in these grids must be removed immediately. Gear must be hauled and not reset on your next fishing trip.

The closure for Northern shrimp is in effect for 60 days, and will re-open on July 24, 2026, if the shrimp fishery is open at that time.

Grid quadrant AC 38 is defined as the area bounded by the following coordinates:

50° 40' North, 54° 10' West;
50° 40' North, 54° 00' West;
50° 30' North, 54° 00' West;
50° 30' North, 54° 10' West; 
50° 40' North, 54° 10' West.

Public Notices are available online in the Fishery Notices section of the DFO Newfoundland and Labrador Region webpage at Newfoundland and Labrador Region.

If you would like all Public Notices sent to you directly by email, please contact: NLPRI@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
 

DFO advises the 3L Lobster fishery in LFA 9B (St. Mary’s Bay) will close 2000 hours July 3, 2026.

Fish harvesters are reminded that all fishing gear must be removed from the water by closing time.

Harvesters are reminded to submit their completed Lobster logbooks as required.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-051 has been revoked and Variation Order 2026-069 comes into effect on May 22, 2026.

Notices to Fish Harvesters for all commercial fisheries are available online in the Fishery Notices section of the DFO Newfoundland and Labrador Region webpage at Newfoundland and Labrador Region.

If you would like to have all Notices to Fish Harvesters for commercial fisheries sent to you directly by email, please contact: NLPRI@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
 

DFO advises that in accordance with the soft-shell protocol, the following grids in Crab Fishing Area 4 in NAFO Division 3K will close to fishing Snow Crab and Northern Shrimp at 2400 hours on May 22, 2026 due to a high incidence of soft-shell crab:

Grid AA 38
Grid AB 38

These grids will be closed to Snow crab fishing for the remainder of the year. Harvesters should note that all gear in these grids must be removed immediately. Gear must be hauled and not reset on your next fishing trip.

The closure for Northern shrimp is in effect for 60 days, and will re-open on July 22, 2026, if the shrimp fishery is open at that time.

Grid quadrant AA 38 is defined as the area bounded by the following coordinates:
51° 00' North, 54° 10' West;
51° 00' North, 54° 00' West;
50° 50' North, 54° 00' West;
50° 50' North, 54° 10' West; 
51° 00' North, 54° 10' West;

Grid quadrant AB 38 is defined as the area bounded by the following coordinates:
50° 50' North, 54° 10' West;
50° 50' North, 54° 00' West;
50° 40' North, 54° 00' West;
50° 40' North, 54° 10' West; 
50° 50' North, 54° 10' West;

Notices to Fish Harvesters for all commercial fisheries are available online in the Fishery Notices section of the DFO Newfoundland and Labrador Region webpage at Newfoundland and Labrador Region.

If you would like to have all Notices to Fish Harvesters for commercial fisheries sent to you directly by email, please contact: NLPRI@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

DFO advises that in accordance with the soft-shell protocol, the following grids in Crab Fishing Area 4 in NAFO Division 3K will close to fishing Snow Crab and Northern Shrimp at 2400 hours on May 22, 2026 due to a high incidence of soft-shell crab:

Grid AA 38
Grid AB 38

These grids will be closed to Snow crab fishing for the remainder of the year. Harvesters should note that all gear in these grids must be removed immediately. Gear must be hauled and not reset on your next fishing trip.

The closure for Northern shrimp is in effect for 60 days, and will re-open on July 22, 2026, if the shrimp fishery is open at that time.

Grid quadrant AA 38 is defined as the area bounded by the following coordinates:
51° 00' North, 54° 10' West;
51° 00' North, 54° 00' West;
50° 50' North, 54° 00' West;
50° 50' North, 54° 10' West; 
51° 00' North, 54° 10' West;

Grid quadrant AB 38 is defined as the area bounded by the following coordinates:
50° 50' North, 54° 10' West;
50° 50' North, 54° 00' West;
50° 40' North, 54° 00' West;
50° 40' North, 54° 10' West; 
50° 50' North, 54° 10' West;

Notices to Fish Harvesters for all commercial fisheries are available online in the Fishery Notices section of the DFO Newfoundland and Labrador Region webpage at Newfoundland and Labrador Region.

If you would like to have all Notices to Fish Harvesters for commercial fisheries sent to you directly by email, please contact: NLPRI@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada advises that the inshore Shrimp fishery in Shrimp Fishing Area (SFA) 6 for vessels less than 90 feet, based in NAFO Divisions 2J, 3K, 3L, and 4R will open at 6:00 AM on May 20, 2026.

Licence fees and licence conditions will soon be available in the National Online Licensing System (NOLS).

Notices to Fish Harvesters for all commercial fisheries are available online in the Fishery Notices section of the DFO Newfoundland and Labrador Region webpage at Newfoundland and Labrador Region.

If you would like to have all Notices to Fish Harvesters for commercial fisheries sent to you directly by email, please contact: NLPRI@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

DFO advises that the Scallop fishery in Scallop Fishing Area 14A (Ferolle Point to Cape Bauld) will open May 13, 2026 at 0600 hours.

Fish harvesters are reminded that for quota monitoring purposes, the north and south quota management areas are divided at 51 degrees 25 minute North latitude.

Fish harvesters are reminded that they must have at-sea observer coverage services arranged before commencing fishing.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2026-047 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-059 comes into effect on May 13, 2026.

Notices to Fish Harvesters for all commercial fisheries are available online in the Fishery Notices section of the DFO Newfoundland and Labrador Region webpage at Newfoundland and Labrador Region.

If you would like to have all Notices to Fish Harvesters for commercial fisheries sent to you directly by email, please contact: NLPRI@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

DFO advises that the Snow Crab fishery will open at 0600 hours on May 15, 2026, for 2J (South) and will close at 2400 hours on July 11, 2026.

Fish harvesters are reminded that they are not authorized to set Crab traps until 72 hours after the Snow Crab fishery season has opened. Therefore, any setting of Crab traps or possession of Crab before 0600 hours on May 18, 2026 is prohibited.

License fees and license conditions are available through the National Online Licensing System (NOLS).

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-050 has been revoked and Variation Order 2026-057 will come into force on May 12, 2026.

Notices to Fish Harvesters for all commercial fisheries are available online in the Fishery Notices section of the DFO Newfoundland and Labrador Region webpage at Newfoundland and Labrador Region.

If you would like to have all Notices to Fish Harvesters for commercial fisheries sent to you directly by email, please contact: NLPRI@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
 

DFO advises fish harvesters of the following opening and closing lobster fishing areas:

LFA 14B (Point Riche to Big Brook) will open at 0600 hours on May 10, 2026 and close at 2000 hours on July 7, 2026;

LFA 14C (Big Brook to Cape Bauld) will open at 0600 hours on May 16, 2026 and close at 2000 hours on July 13, 2026.

Harvesters are reminded that they are not permitted to retrieve fishing gear or possess lobsters during the initial 48-hour gear-setting period after the opening date.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-048 has been revoked and Variation Order 2026-051 comes into effect on May 8, 2026.

Notices to Fish Harvesters for all commercial fisheries are available online in the Fishery Notices section of the DFO Newfoundland and Labrador Region webpage at Newfoundland and Labrador Region.

If you would like to have all Notices to Fish Harvesters for commercial fisheries sent to you directly by email, please contact: NLPRI@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
 

DFO advises fish harvesters that the Snow crab fishery in Crab Fishing Area 12D will close at 2000 hours on May 10, 2026.

All gear must be removed from the water by closing time.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-043 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-050 will come into force on May 7, 2026.

Notices to Fish Harvesters for all commercial fisheries are available online in the Fishery Notices section of the DFO Newfoundland and Labrador Region webpage at Newfoundland and Labrador Region.

If you would like to have all Notices to Fish Harvesters for commercial fisheries sent to you directly by email, please contact: NLPRI@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.