Shellfish

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 0600 hours on April 2, 2026, 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 0600 hours on April 5, 2026, is prohibited.

Crab Management Areas 3A and 3D will open at 0001 hours on April 5, 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 5, 2026, is prohibited.

Crab Management Area 3BC will open at 0600 hours on April 11, 2026, 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 0600 hours on April 12, 2026, is prohibited.

Crab Management Area 3B will open at 0001 hours on April 12, 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 12, 2026, is prohibited.

Crab Management Area 3C will open at 0001 hours on April 19, 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 19, 2026, is prohibited.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2025-275 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-026 comes into effect on April 1, 2026.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 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 0600 hours on April 2, 2026, 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 0600 hours on April 5, 2026, is prohibited.

Crab Management Areas 5A, 6A, 6B, 6C, 8A and 9A will open at 0001 hours on April 5, 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 5, 2026, is prohibited.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2025-275 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-026 comes into effect on April 1, 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 advises that the Snow Crab fishery in 3Ps will open on the following dates:

Crab Management Areas 10B and 11S will open at 0600 hours on April 2, 2026, 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 0600 hours on April 5, 2026, is prohibited.

Crab Management Areas 10A, 11E and 11W will open at 0001 hours on April 5, 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 0600 hours on April 5, 2026, is prohibited.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2025-275 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-026 comes into effect on April 1, 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 advises that the Snow Crab fishery will open at 0001 hours on April 5, 2026, 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 0600 hours on April 5, 2026, is prohibited.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2025-275 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-026 comes into effect on April 1, 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 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 (47 16.59"N, 54 58.58"w) on the west side, Inner Bay, will close 2000 hours March 31, 2026 and will reopen 0600 hours September 1, 2026 in line with the management plan for that fishery.

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 details of the 2026 management measures and quota levels for the Snow Crab fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador are now available at:

2026 Snow Crab Fishery, Newfoundland and Labrador

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 buddy-up arrangements for Lobster Fishing Areas (LFAs) 3, 4A, 4B, 5, 6, 7, and 10 are now authorized.

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.

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 details of the management measures for the Lobster fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador for the 2026 season are now available at:

Lobster Fishing Areas 3-14C, Newfoundland and Labrador Region 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 wishes to remind inshore crab harvesters in Crab Fishing Areas 3B (White Bay) and 3C (Green Bay) in NAFO Division 3K that applications for CFA 3BC are now available.

Harvesters can obtain an application by contacting the area licencing center by phone or e-mail. Applications can also be requested from the National Online Licensing System (NOLS).

Applications must be returned by close of business on March 6, 2026.

Return applications by email to: kelly.firmage-obrien@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

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 remind inshore crab harvesters in Crab Fishing Areas 3B (White Bay) and 3C (Green Bay) in NAFO Division 3K that applications for CFA 3BC are now available.

Harvesters can obtain an application by contacting the area licencing center by phone or e-mail. Applications can also be requested from the National Online Licensing System (NOLS).

Applications must be returned by close of business on March 6, 2026.

Return applications by email to: kelly.firmage-obrien@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

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.