Shellfish

DFO advises that the 3Ps Scallop fishery in the Core Area will open at 0600 hours on Saturday, May 10, 2025.

Access to Iceland scallop in the Core Area is available by trip permit for the 6 traditional harvesters. If you meet the criteria and you are interested in fishing in the Core Area in 2025, please contact DFO through the National Online Licensing System (NOLS) to request access and an application for a permit. 

For the 2025 season, access to Iceland scallop in the Core Area will also be available to 3 additional harvesters. This access will be provided via a trip permit. If you are a 3Ps scallop licence holder in the >50’ fleet and wish to receive a permit, please contact DFO through the National Online Licensing System. A draw will be conducted, if required, and a subsequent draw may be conducted to harvest any quota not taken during the initial permit period.

Access to Iceland scallop in the Core Area is limited to a maximum of 3 harvesters at any one time. Priority will be provided to issuing permits to the traditional harvesters.  

The Core Area is defined as that portion of Scallop Fishing Area 11 bounded by a line connecting the following coordinates:

•    46 degrees 52.7 minutes North latitude, 57 degrees 28 minutes West longitude to;
•    46 degrees 52.7 minutes North latitude, 56 degrees 29 minutes West longitude to;
•    46 degrees 30.0 minutes North latitude, 56 degrees 29 minutes West longitude to;
•    46 degrees 30.0 minutes North latitude, 57 degrees 28 minutes West longitude to;
•    46 degrees 52.7 minutes North latitude, 57 degrees 28 minutes West longitude.

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General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-044 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-046 will come into force on May 3, 2025.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 Scallop fishery in the 3Ps North Bed in Scallop Fishing Area (SFA) 11 will open at 0600 hours on Saturday, May 10, 2025.

If you are a 3Ps Scallop licence holder with vessel eligibility of >50' and you are interested in fishing Scallop on the North Bed in 2025, please contact DFO through the National Online Licensing System (NOLS) to request access and an application for a permit. Those seeking access will be reviewed against policy, before determining whether they will be granted access.

A Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) or Observer coverage is required to fish in the North Bed scallop area.

The North Bed is defined as that portion of Scallop Fishing Area 11, bounded by a line connecting the following coordinates:

•    46 degrees 30.0 minutes North latitude, 57 degrees 28 minutes West longitude to;
•    46 degrees 30.0 minutes North latitude, 56 degrees 46 minutes West longitude along the Canada/France boundary to;
•    46 degrees 23 minutes North latitude, 56 degrees 29 minutes West longitude to;
•    46 degrees 14 minutes North latitude, 56 degrees 29 minutes West longitude to;
•    46 degrees 14.0 minutes North latitude, 57 degrees 28 minutes West longitude to;
•    46 degrees 30.0 minutes North latitude, 57 degrees 28 minutes West longitude.

Fish harvesters are reminded that fishing is not permitted in the Middle Bed, Southern Bed, or the Core Area. These areas are defined in your licence conditions.

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 Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-044 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-046 will come into force on May 3, 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 3Ps harvesters that lobster fishing Area 10 (Placentia Bay), will open 0600 hours Saturday May 3, 2025, and close 2000 hours Friday July 11, 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; as well LFA 10 conditions prohibit gear retrieval between 2100 hours (9 p.m.) on Saturday and 0500 hours (5 a.m.) on Monday.

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

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-039 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-042 will come into force on May 1, 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 Snow crab fishery in Crab Fishing Area 12D will close at 2000 hours on April 26, 2025.

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 2025-027 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-041 will come into force on April 26, 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 3Ps harvesters that the Scallop Fishery will open South of 47°00’ N: Outer Bay areas in SFA 10 and 11, at 0600 hours on Friday, April 25, 2025.

Fish harvesters are reminded that fishing is not permitted in the Middle bed, Southern bed, Core Area or the North Bed. These areas are defined in your licence conditions.

The North Bed and Core Area will open later. A permit is required to fish the North Bed and Core Area.

Fish harvesters are reminded of VMS requirements as outlined in licence conditions.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region, gives notice that Variation Order 2025-002 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-040 will come into force on April 24, 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 LFA 14A (Cape St. Gregory to Point Riche) will open at 0600 hours on April 24, 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 license.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-038 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-039 will come into force on April 24, 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 management measures for the 2025 Scallop fishery, NAFO sub-division 3Ps (Inshore >50’ Fleet), in Newfoundland and Labrador are now available at:

2025 Scallop fishery, NAFO Sub-Division 3Ps (Inshore >50’ Fleet)

Pêche du pétoncle 2025, sous-division 3Ps de l’OPANO (pêche côtière, flotte supérieure à 50 pieds)

"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 opening and closing dates for the following Lobster Fishing Areas:

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

- LFA 11 East (East of Western Head, Hare Bay): April 19, 2025, to June 22, 2025.

- LFA 11 West (West of Western Head, Hare Bay): April 26, 2025, to June 29, 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 license.

Harvesters in LFA 11 are reminded that the portion of Lobster Fishing Area 11 (Penguin Islands) bounded by lines connecting the following points remains closed:

Point North Latitude West Longitude
1. 47° 22' 01.8" N 57° 01' 01.0" W
2. 47° 23' 48.6" N 57° 01' 01.0" W
3. 47° 23' 53.2" N 57° 56' 54.5" W
4. 47° 22' 01.8" N 57° 56' 54.5" W.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-033 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2025-038 will come into force on April 18, 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 opening and closing dates for the following Lobster Fishing Areas:

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

- LFA 12: April 22, 2025 to July 1, 2025.
- LFA 13A: April 23, 2025 to July 4, 2025.
- LFA 13B: April 23, 2025 to July 5, 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.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-033 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2025-038 will come into force on April 18, 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 (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