Shellfish

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) advises harvesters that the Shrimp fishery in Shrimp Fishing Area 8 for the Western NL fleet is open.

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

"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 wishes to advise Lobster Harvesters that Buddy-Up Applications are available for Lobster Fishing Area 11 (Fortune Bay). Fish Harvesters can request an application through the National Online Licensing System (NOLS)  National Online Licensing System

PLEASE NOTE: COMPLETED APPLICATIONS MUST BE UPLOADED TO THE NATIONAL ONLINE LICENCING SYSTEM AND RECEIVED BY CLOSE OF BUSINESS WEDNESDAY April 16, 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 of the following 3L lobster area opening and closing dates:

Note all opening times are 0600 hours and all closing times are 2000 hours.

LFA 5 (Bonavista Bay): May 8, 2025 to July 13, 2025
LFA 6 (Trinity Bay): April 19, 2025 to July 1, 2025
LFA 7 (Conception Bay): May 3, 2025 to July 8, 2025
LFA 8 (Southern Shore): May 1, 2025 to July 5, 2025
LFA 9A (Trepassey Bay): May 7, 2025 to July 4, 2025
LFA 9B (St. Mary's Bay): April 17, 2025 to June 27, 2025

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.

Harvesters are also reminded they are permitted to harvest bait for the lobster fishery as per the conditions of their bait licence.

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

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2024-309 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2025-033 will come into force on April 12, 2025.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 
 

Fisheries and Oceans Canada advises that the Snow Crab fishery will open at 12:00 am (midnight) on Thursday April 10, 2025 for the purpose of travelling to the fishing ground for the following areas:

- Outside of 8 mile
- Bay of Islands
- Bay St. George
- 12A
- 12B
- 12C
- 12D
- 12E
- 12F
- 12G
- 12H

Fish harvesters are reminded that they are not authorized to set Crab traps until 6 hours after the Snow Crab fishery season has opened. Therefore, any setting of Crab traps or possession of Crab before 6:00 am on Thursday April 10, 2025 is prohibited.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2024-308 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-027 comes into force on April 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 

Fisheries and Oceans Canada advises that the Snow Crab fishery in 3Ps will open on the following dates:

Crab Management Areas 10B and 11S will open at 6:00 a.m. on Monday April 7, 2025 for the purpose of travelling to the fishing ground. 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 6:00AM on Thursday, April 10, 2025 is prohibited.

Crab Management Areas 10A, 11E and 11W will open at 12:00 am (midnight) on Thursday, April 10, 2025 for the purpose of travelling to the fishing ground. Fish harvesters are reminded that they are not authorized to set Crab traps until 6 hours after the Snow Crab fishery season has opened. Therefore, any setting of Crab traps or possession of Crab before 6:00 am on Thursday, April 10, 2025 is prohibited.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2024-308 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-027 comes into effect on April 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 

Fisheries and Oceans Canada advises that the Snow Crab fishery in 3LNO will open on the following dates:

Crab Management Areas NS, MS, 8B, 8Bx, 8Bx North, 8Bx South, Msex, 3Lex, 3N200, 3L200, 3NO200 will open at 6:00 a.m. on Monday April 7, 2025 for the purpose of travelling to the fishing ground. 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 6:00 am on Thursday April 10, 2025 is prohibited.

Crab Management Areas 5A, 6A, 6B, 6C, 8A and 9A will open at 12:00 am (midnight) on Thursday April 10, 2025 for the purpose of travelling to the fishing ground. Fish harvesters are reminded that they are not authorized to set Crab traps until 6 hours after the Snow Crab fishery season has opened. Therefore, any setting of Crab traps or possession of Crab before 6:00 am on Thursday April 10, 2025 is prohibited.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2024-308 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-027 comes into effect on April 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 

Fisheries and Oceans Canada advises that the Snow Crab fishery in 3K will open on the following dates:

Crab Management Area 4 will open at 6:00 am on Monday April 7, 2025 for the purpose of travelling to the fishing ground. 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 6:00 am on Thursday April 10, 2025 is prohibited.

Crab Management Areas 3A and 3D will open at 12:00 am (midnight) on Thursday April 10, 2025 for the purpose of travelling to the fishing ground. Fish harvesters are reminded that they are not authorized to set Crab traps until 6 hours after the Snow Crab fishery season has opened. Therefore, any setting of Crab traps or possession of Crab before 6:00 am on Thursday April 10, 2025 is prohibited.

Crab Management Area 3BC will open at 6:00 am on Saturday, April 12, 2025 for the purpose of travelling to the fishing ground. Fish harvesters are reminded that they are not authorized to set Crab traps until 24 hours after the Snow Crab fishery season has opened. Therefore, any setting of Crab traps or possession of Crab before 6:00 am on Sunday April 13, 2025 is prohibited.

Crab Management Areas 3B and 3C will open at 12:00 am (midnight) on Sunday April 20, 2025 for the purpose of travelling to the fishing ground. Fish harvesters are reminded that they are not authorized to set Crab traps until 6 hours after the Snow Crab fishery season has opened. Therefore, any setting of Crab traps or possession of Crab before 6:00 am on Sunday April 20, 2025 is prohibited.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2024-308 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-027 comes into effect on April 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 buddy-up arrangements for Fulltime and Supplementary Snow crab fleets in NAFO Division 3K Area 4 are now authorized. This is a temporary measure for 2025.

Buddy-up Applications are now available on the National Online Licensing System (NOLS). Harvesters interested in applying for a buddy-up arrangement may submit completed applications through NOLS.

Harvesters experiencing difficulties accessing their online NOLS account should contact the NOLS Support Line at 1-877-535-7307 for assistance.

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 Wednesday April 2, 2025.

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

"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 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 harvesters that at the request of industry representatives, the Newfoundland and Labrador Snow crab fishery will not open on April 1, 2025.

Once the season opening date is determined, the details will be communicated broadly.

"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