Shellfish

DFO advises that in accordance with the soft-shell protocol, the following grid in Crab Fishing Areas 2J South and Area 4 in NAFO Divisions 2J south and 3K will close to fishing for both Snow Crab and Northern Shrimp at midnight on July 3, 2025 due to a high incidence of soft-shell crab:

Grid S 37

52° 20' North, 54° 20' West;
52° 20' North, 54° 10' West;
52° 10' North, 54° 10' West;
52° 10' North, 54° 20' West; and,
52° 20' North, 54° 20' West;

This grid will be closed to Snow crab fishing for the remainder of the year. Harvesters should note that all gear in these grids must be hauled and removed immediately, resetting of gear is not permitted.

The closure for Northern shrimp is in effect for 60 days, and will re-open on August 31, 2025, if the shrimp fishery is open at that time.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2025-093 and 2025-096 have been revoked, and Variation Orders 2025-101 and 2025-102 come into effect on July 01, 2025.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 in accordance with the soft-shell protocol, the following grid in Crab Fishing Areas 2J South and Area 4 in NAFO Divisions 2J south and 3K will close to fishing for both Snow Crab and Northern Shrimp at midnight on July 3, 2025 due to a high incidence of soft-shell crab:

Grid S 37

52° 20' North, 54° 20' West;
52° 20' North, 54° 10' West;
52° 10' North, 54° 10' West;
52° 10' North, 54° 20' West; and,
52° 20' North, 54° 20' West;

This grid will be closed to Snow crab fishing for the remainder of the year. Harvesters should note that all gear in these grids must be hauled and removed immediately, resetting of gear is not permitted.

The closure for Northern shrimp is in effect for 60 days, and will re-open on August 31, 2025, if the shrimp fishery is open at that time.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2025-093 and 2025-096 have been revoked, and Variation Orders 2025-101 and 2025-102 come into effect on July 01, 2025.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 commercial Sea Scallop fishery in Scallop Fishing Area 13 (Cape Ray to Cape St. Gregory), in water depths of five (5) fathoms and greater, will open on July 6, 2025 at 0600 hours.

In order to protect Lobster spawning habitat, the fishery will close on July 15, 2025 at 2000 hours.

The commercial Sea Scallop fishery in certain portions of Scallop Fishing Area 13 (Cape Ray to Cape St. Gregory), will re-open at 0600 hours on August 16, 2025.

The portions affected by this re-opening are:

- All of Scallop Fishing Area 13 in waters depths of greater than 5 fathoms;

- Except that portion of Scallop Fishing Area 13 in Port au Port Bay, from Bear Cove Brook Point to Broad Cove Point, where fishing will be restricted to water depths of greater than 10 fathoms.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region, gives notice that Variation Order 2025-085 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-098 will come into force on June 28, 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 reminds harvesters that the Snow crab fishery will close at 2000 hours on Monday, June 30, 2025 in Crab Fishing Areas 3C and 3BC in NAFO Division 3K.

"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 Friday, June 27, 2025 at 0600 hours.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region give notice that Variation Order 2025-091 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-096 will come into force on June 27, 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 Snow Crab fishery will open at 0600 hours on Friday, June 27, 2025 for NAFO divisions 2HJ North of 54 40. This fishery will close at 1800 hours on Sunday, September 14, 2025.

Fish Harvesters are also reminded that all designations to participate in this fishery are issued by the Nunatsiavut Government and Torngat Fisheries Cooperative Limited and must be in place prior to participating.

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 Monday, June 30, 2025, is prohibited.

Licence fees and licence conditions are available through the National Online Licencing System (NOLS).

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-092 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-093 will come into force on June 25, 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 in accordance with the soft-shell protocol, the following grid in Crab Fishing Area 4 in NAFO Division 3K will close to fishing Snow Crab and Northern Shrimp at midnight on Monday, June 23, 2025 due to a high incidence of soft-shell crab:

Grid W 38

This grid will be closed to Snow crab fishing for the remainder of the year. Harvesters should note that all gear in these grids must be hauled and removed immediately, resetting of gear is not permitted.

The closure for Northern shrimp is in effect for 60 days, and will re-open on August 22, 2025, if the shrimp fishery is open at that time.

Grid quandrant W 38 is defined as the area bounded by the following coordinates:

51° 40' North, 54° 10' West;
51° 40' North, 54° 00' West;
51° 30' North, 54° 00' West;
51° 30' North, 54° 10' West; 
51° 40' North, 54° 10' West;

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2025-074 and 2025-075 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2025-090 and 2025-091 will come into force on June 21, 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 Snow crab fishery will now close at 2000 hours on Monday, July 7, 2025 in select Crab Management Areas in NAFO Divisions 3K. These season extensions apply to the following Crab Management Areas:

Areas 4, 3A, 3B, and 3D

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region, gives notice that Variation Order 2025-090 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-092 will come into force on June 21, 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 in accordance with the soft-shell protocol, the following grid in Crab Fishing Area 4 in NAFO Division 3K will close to fishing Snow Crab and Northern Shrimp at midnight on Monday, June 23, 2025 due to a high incidence of soft-shell crab:

Grid W 38

This grid will be closed to Snow crab fishing for the remainder of the year. Harvesters should note that all gear in these grids must be hauled and removed immediately, resetting of gear is not permitted.

The closure for Northern shrimp is in effect for 60 days, and will re-open on August 22, 2025, if the shrimp fishery is open at that time.

Grid quandrant W 38 is defined as the area bounded by the following coordinates:

51° 40' North, 54° 10' West;
51° 40' North, 54° 00' West;
51° 30' North, 54° 00' West;
51° 30' North, 54° 10' West; 
51° 40' North, 54° 10' West;

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2025-074 and 2025-075 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2025-090 and 2025-091 will come into force on June 21, 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 wishes to remind harvesters of the following closing dates for the following 3L lobster fishing areas:

Note all closing times are 2000 hours.

LFA 5 (Bonavista Bay): July 13, 2025
LFA 6 (Trinity Bay): July 1, 2025
LFA 7 (Conception Bay): July 8, 2025
LFA 8 (Southern Shore): July 5, 2025
LFA 9A (Trepassey Bay): July 4, 2025
LFA 9B (St. Mary's Bay): June 27, 2025

Fish harvesters are reminded that all fishing gear must be removed from the water by closing time.

"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