Shellfish

DFO advises that the Emerging Sea Cucumber fishery in NAFO Divisions 3LNO will open at 0600 hours on Thursday June 1, 2023 to permit holders.

License conditions will become available in the DFO National Online Licensing System (NOLS) in advance of the planned fishing dates that permit-holders have submitted to the Department.

Permit holders are also reminded that completion of assigned survey blocks is a condition of licence, and that 100% at-sea observer coverage is also required.

"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 Wednesday, May 10, 2023.

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 2023, 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 2023-036 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-065 comes into effect on May 4, 2023.

"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: danielle.nichols@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO advises that the 3Ps Scallop fishery in the Core Area will open at 0600 hours on Wednesday, May 10, 2023.

Access to the Core Area is only available by trip permit for historical harvesters. If you meet the criteria and you are interested in fishing in the Core area in 2023, 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.

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 2023-036 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-065 comes into effect on May 4, 2023.

"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: danielle.nichols@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO wishes to advise Area 2J Inshore snow crab harvesters that the 2023 buddy-up application is available through the National Online Licensing System (NOLS) 

The Inshore snow crab application can be downloaded and submitted by following Step-By-Step Instructions through NOLS
- Select Submit Request
- Select Request Type – Partnership/Pooling/Buddy Up
- Select Request Subtype – Snow Crab (Less than 40’ fleet)
- Select the Instructions link to open, and save or print the application
- Complete and sign the application
- If saving the signed application to your computer, Select Browse to attach the signed application to your request
- Select Submit

Completed applications received through the National Online Licensing System will be processed in priority as they are received by Licensing staff.

Mail: Fisheries and Oceans Canada, P.O. Box 7003 , Happy Valley Goose Bay, NL A0P1C0

Any harvesters experiencing issues with accessing their online NOLS account, should contact the NOLS Support Line 1-877-535-7307 to have the issue resolved.

For information, contact: Rosie Brown, Licensing, Tel: 709-896-6162

"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: Danielle.Nichols@dfo.mpo.gc.ca

DFO advises that the Whelk fishery will open in NAFO Sub-Division 3Ps at 0600 hours on Monday, May 1, 2023.

Fish harvesters are advised that licence conditions are available on the National Online Licensing 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: beverly.piccott@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 (Cape Charles to Cape St. John (White Bay): May 13, 2023 to July 15, 2023

LFA 4A (Notre Dame Bay West): May 20, 2023 to July 15, 2023

LFA 4B (Notre Dame Bay East): May 13, 2023 to July 8, 2023

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 2023-061 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-63 comes into effect on April 29, 2023.

"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: beverly.piccott@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO advises LFA 14A (Cape St. Gregory to Point Riche) will open April 30, 2023 at 0600hrs and close June 27, 2023 at 2000hrs.

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.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2023-060 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-061 comes into effect on April 28, 2023.

"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: beverly.piccott@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO advises of the following closing date amendment for the Lobster Fishing Area 10, Placentia Bay: April 29, 2023, to July 9, 2023.

DFO reminds harvesters of the following opening and closing dates for Lobster Fishing Area 11:

- LFA 11 East (East of Western Head, Hare Bay): April 15, 2023, to June 18, 2023.

- LFA 11 West (West of Western Head, Hare Bay): April 29, 2023, to July 2, 2023.

Note all opening times are 0600 hours and all closing times are 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; 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 licence.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2023-037 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-060 comes into effect on April 27, 2023.

"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: beverly.piccott@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO advises that at the request of industry, Lobster Fishing Area 9A (Trepassey Bay) will have a delayed opening. The opening and closing dates will now be May 5, 2023 to July 2, 2023.

Note that the opening time is 0600 hours and closing time is 2000 hours.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2023-033 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-037 comes into effect on April 26, 2023.

"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: beverly.piccott@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO advises 3Ps scallop harvesters that the Scallop Fishing Area 10 (Placentia Bay) South of 47 00 N Outer Bay, and Scallop Fishing Area 11 (Fortune Bay) South of 47 00 N Outer Bay will open at 0600 hours on Wednesday, April 26, 2023.

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 2023-034 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-036 comes into effect on April 25, 2023.

“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: beverly.piccott@dfo-mpo.gc.ca