Shellfish

DFO advises that the details of the management measures for the 2026 to 2028 Scallop fishery, NAFO sub-division 3Ps (Inshore >50’ Fleet), in Newfoundland and Labrador are now available at:

2026-2028 Scallop fishery, NAFO sub-division 3Ps (Inshore)

Pêche du pétoncle de 2026 à 2028, sous-division 3Ps de l’OPANO (pêche côtière)

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 Lobster Fishing Area 11 West (West of Western Head, Hare Bay) will open at 0600 hours, April 25, 2026, and close June 28, 2026 at 2000 hours.

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General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-034 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-037 will come into force on April 21, 2026.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 at the request of industry, Crab Fishing Area 3C will NOT open on April 19, 2026 as previously announced.  Crab Management Area 3C will now open at 0001 hours on April 26, 2026, 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 0600 hours on April 26, 2026, is prohibited.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-026 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-036 comes into effect on April 18, 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 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, 2026 to July 13, 2026
LFA 6 (Trinity Bay): April 27, 2026 to July 9, 2026
LFA 7 (Conception Bay): May 3, 2026 to July 8, 2026
LFA 8 (Southern Shore): May 1, 2026 to July 5, 2026
LFA 9A (Trepassey Bay): May 7, 2026 to July 4, 2026
LFA 9B (St. Mary's Bay): April 23, 2026 to June 3, 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.

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 Licensing System (NOLS).

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-033 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-034 will come into force on April 17, 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 of the following 3K lobster area opening and closing dates:

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

LFA 3 (White Bay): May 12, 2026 to July 15, 2026
LFA 4A (Notre Dame Bay West): May 16, 2026 to July 11, 2026
LFA 4B (Notre Dame Bay East): May 9, 2026 to July 4, 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.

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 Licensing System (NOLS).

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-033 has been revoked and Variation Order 2026-034 will come into force on April 17, 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 Lobster Fishing Area 12 will open April 18, 2026, at 0600 hours and close on June 27, 2026, at 2000 hours.

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 2026-032 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-033 will come into force on April 16, 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 Lobster Fishing Area 11 East (East of Western Head, Hare Bay) will open April 18, 2026, at 0600 hours and close June 21, 2026, at 2000 hours.

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 2025-277 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-032 will come into force on April 15, 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 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 April 15, 2026.

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 at a later date. 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 2026-002 has been revoked and Variation Order 2026-031 comes into effect on April 14, 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.

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

Fishing is authorized to begin once licence holders pay their licence fees and receive their licence conditions. Licence fees and licence conditions are currently being uploaded 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 wishes to advise lobster harvesters that a declaration is required for Lobster Fishing Area (LFA) 11W for the 2026 season.

Please note a declaration is only required if you intend to fish in LFA 11W (that portion of Lobster Fishing Area 11 west of Western Head, Hare Bay).

All LFA 11 harvesters that do not declare their intention to fish in LFA 11W will be issued a license to fish in LFA 11E (that portion of Lobster Fishing Area 11 located east of Western Head, Hare Bay).

PLEASE NOTE:

Declarations must be requested through the National Online Licensing System (NOLS).

Declarations must be received by close of business day April 16, 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.