Shellfish

DFO advises that the commercial Scallop fishery in Area 9 (Inner St. Mary's Bay) in NAFO Division 3L will open at 0600 hours Thursday, January 2, 2025 for harvesters in the following Vessel Class: C4701.

Harvesters are reminded that information returns (logbooks) are a requirement for this fishery.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2024-310 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-002 comes into effect on January 1, 2025.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

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans would like to advise that Electronic Logbooks will be mandatory for Newfoundland and Labrador commercial Lobster harvesters and the Full-time and Mid-shore Snow crab fleets starting in the 2025 season. DFO will hold Virtual meetings with these harvesters to provider further information on ELOGs and this requirement. These meetings are scheduled on the following dates: 

Tuesday, January 7:
Fulltime Snow crab fleet – 10am
Lobster harvesters in 4R3Pn – 2pm

Wednesday, January 8: 
Lobster harvesters in 3Ps – 10am
Lobster harvesters in 3K – 2pm

Friday, January 10:
Lobster harvesters in 3L – 2pm

Harvesters who wish to attend are requested to confirm their attendance by sending an email to Kailey.Noonan@dfo-mpo.gc.ca . Please include the specific date and time of the meeting you wish to attend in your email. Upon confirmation, a link to the virtual meeting will be provided.

"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 Squid, Whelk, and Sea Cucumber will be closed for all fishing areas as of Sunday, December 31, 2024 at 2359 hours.

DFO also reminds harvesters that the Snow crab, Lobster and Scallop fisheries are closed for all fishing areas with the exception of the Scallop fishery in the portion of Scallop Fishing Area 10 (Placentia Bay), inside a line drawn from Point Verde (47°14.33'N, 54°00.94'W) on the east side of the bay, to Red Harbour Head (47°16.59'N, 54°58.58'W) on the west side, which will remain open until March 31, 2025. This is in line with the management measures for this fishery.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Orders 2024-197, 2024-063, 2024-268, 2024-248 and 2024-168 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2024-308, 2024-309, 2024-310, 2024-311 and 2024-312 come into effect at 2359 hours on December 31, 2024.

"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 reminds harvesters that the portion of Scallop Fishing Area 11 (Fortune Bay) from Dantzic Point to Point Rosie will close to commercial harvest of scallop at 2000 hours on October 20, 2024.

"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-based inshore scallop harvesters, including dive scallop harvesters, that NEW scallop licence conditions will be issued that will contain correct contact information for the FRC for the purpose of obtaining authorization to offload catch.  The toll-free number is 888-562-4511.

All harvesters fishing in 3Ps inshore scallop are to ensure they are fishing under conditions that are valid and that these conditions are printed and onboard the vessel. 

"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 scallop harvesters that the portion of Scallop Fishing Area 11 North of 47°00’N will open at 0600 hours on October 1, 2024, and close at 1800 hours on December 31, 2024.

Please note that scallop dragging is not permitted in these areas in water depths less than 5 fathoms.

Fish harvesters are reminded that scallop dragging remains closed in water depths less than 30 fathoms in that portion of SFA 11 from Dantzic Point to Point Rosie (Scallop dive only area near Garnish) and that portion of Scallop Fishing Area 11, at Little River beyond a straight line formed between the following coordinates: 47° 46’ 40.24” North, 55° 48’ 34.81” West and 47° 46’ 32.92” North, 55° 48’ 29.09” West.

Fish harvesters are reminded that fishing is not permitted within the Saint Pierre et Miquelon Maritime Zone.

Logbook submissions, mandatory hails and landing authorizations remain in effect. These requirements are outlined in licence conditions.

Please consult your licence conditions for further information.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2024-209 has been revoked and Variation Order 2024-268 comes into effect on September 21, 2024.

"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 3Ps Shrimp beam trawl fishery in the 3Ps portion of Shrimp Fishing Area (SFA) 7, for vessels less than 65 feet, based in NAFO sub-division 3Ps will open on August 31, 2024 at 0600 hours.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region give notice that Variation Order 2024-138 has been revoked and Variation Order 2024-248 comes into effect on August 31, 2024. 

“Notices to Fish Harvesters” for all commercial fisheries are 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 portion of Scallop Fishing Area 10 (Placentia Bay), inside a line drawn from Point Verde (47°14.33'N, 54°00.94'W) on the east side of the bay, to Red Harbour Head (47°16.59'N, 54°58.58'W) on the west side, will open to commercial scallop fishing September 1, 2024, at 0600 hours. DFO reminds harvesters that DMP and hail requirements are mandatory in this fishery. This is in line with the management measures for this fishery. 

“Notices to Fish Harvesters” for all commercial fisheries are 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 for eligible licence holders at 0600 hours August 15, 2024.

Please note that NEW Conditions of Licence (COLs) will be issued to those harvesters deemed eligible.

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.

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

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.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2024-205 has been revoked and Variation Order 2024-209 comes into effect on August 15, 2024.

"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 portion of Scallop Fishing Area 11 (Fortune Bay) from Dantzic Point to Point Rosie will open to a commercial harvest of scallop as a continuation of the 2017 pilot project at 0600 hours on August 12, 2024 and will close at 2000 hours on October 20, 2024.

Please note NEW additional reporting requirements for this fishery in the licence conditions.

Please submit a request through the National Online Licensing System to indicate your interest and to receive licence conditions.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2024-191 has been revoked and Variation Order 2024-205 comes into effect on August 10, 2024.

"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