DFO advises that in accordance with the soft-shell protocol, the following grids in Crab Fishing Area 4 in NAFO Division 3K will close to fishing Snow Crab and Northern Shrimp at midnight on Friday, June 6, 2025 due to a high incidence of soft-shell crab:
Grid W 36
Grid X 38
Grid Y 37
These grids will be closed to Snow crab fishing for the remainder of the year. Harvesters should note that all gear in these grids must be removed immediately. Gear must be hauled and not reset on your next fishing trip.
The closure for Northern shrimp is in effect for 60 days, and will re-open on August 5, 2025, if the shrimp fishery is open at that time.
Grid quandrant W 36 is defined as the area bounded by the following coordinates:
51° 40' North, 54° 30' West;
51° 40' North, 54° 20' West;
51° 30' North, 54° 20' West;
51° 30' North, 54° 30' West;
51° 40' North, 54° 30' West;
Grid quandrant X 38 is defined as the area bounded by the following coordinates:
51° 30' North, 54° 10' West;
51° 30' North, 54° 00' West;
51° 20' North, 54° 00' West;
51° 20' North, 54° 10' West;
51° 30' North, 54° 10' West;
Grid quandrant Y 37 is defined as the area bounded by the following coordinates:
51° 20' North, 54° 20' West;
51° 20' North, 54° 10' West;
51° 10' North, 54° 10' West;
51° 10' North, 54° 20' West;
51° 20' North, 54° 20' West;
The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2024-311 and 2025-053 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2025-074 and 2025-075 will come into force on June 4, 2025.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
