PUBLIC NOTICES

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is seeking ‘Expressions of Interest’ from parties/organizations interested in acquiring frozen and/or crushed European Green Crab for the purpose of commercial  composting, shell derivatives or food items for animals/ humans, as part of a use of European Green Crab test case in the Newfoundland and Labrador Region. Interested parties/organizations are asked to contact DFO at DFO.NLAIS-EAETNL.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca before September 25, 2026. The focus of the upcoming test case will be in areas of long-term established populations of European Green Crab and restricted to Lobster Fishing Areas (LFA) 10,11,12,13A/B and 14A.  

If there is a sufficient level of interest, temporary Aquatic Invasive Species control licences will be provided to interested Indigenous groups and existing commercial fish harvesters that would allow the harvesting of European Green Crab for the purpose of composting, shell derivatives or food items for animals/humans. Details regarding the issuance of these licences, including the application process and deadlines, will be communicated via a notice to fish harvesters at a later date. 

Public Notices 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 all Public Notices sent to you directly by email, please contact: NLPRI@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) advises the public of the closure to harvesting of all bivalve shellfish (including Arctic wedge calms, Atlantic razor clams, Atlantic surf clams, bay quahaugs, northern propeller clams, ocean quahaugs, softshell clam, Stimpson's surf clams, bay mussels, blue mussel, horse mussels, American oysters, bay scallops, Iceland scallops, purple hinge rock scallop, northern moon snails, waved whelks, Stimpson's whelks, except sea scallops) for recreational or commercial purposes effective 1800 hours June 26, 2026 for that portion of Tommy's Arm bounded by the shoreline and a series of straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed:

49.47304 N 55.75942 W, to a point at  
49.46774 N 55.76196 W, then along the shoreline to a point at 
49.46464 N 55.78563 W, to a point at 
49.47014 N 55.78963 W, then along the shoreline to a point at 
49.47103 N 55.77843 W, to a point at 
49.47234 N 55.77005, then along the shoreline back to the point of commencement.

More detailed information on other closed areas can be obtained from the nearest DFO office or the following website:  Shellfish harvesting map

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Prohibition Order NSN-2026-004 comes into effect 1800 hours June 26, 2026. 

For more information on the Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program please consult the following website:   Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program (CSSP) - inspection.canada.ca

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) advises the public of the closure to harvesting of all bivalve shellfish (including Arctic wedge calms, Atlantic razor clams, Atlantic surf clams, bay quahaugs, northern propeller clams, ocean quahaugs, softshell clam, Stimpson's surf clams, bay mussels, blue mussel, horse mussels, American oysters, bay scallops, Iceland scallops, purple hinge rock scallop, northern moon snails, waved whelks, Stimpson's whelks, except sea scallops) for recreational or commercial purposes effective 1800 hours June 26, 2026 for that portion of Tommy's Arm bounded by the shoreline and a series of straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed:

49.47304 N 55.75942 W, to a point at  
49.46774 N 55.76196 W, then along the shoreline to a point at 
49.46464 N 55.78563 W, to a point at 
49.47014 N 55.78963 W, then along the shoreline to a point at 
49.47103 N 55.77843 W, to a point at 
49.47234 N 55.77005, then along the shoreline back to the point of commencement.

More detailed information on other closed areas can be obtained from the nearest DFO office or the following website:  Shellfish harvesting map

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Prohibition Order NSN-2026-004 comes into effect 1800 hours June 26, 2026. 

For more information on the Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program please consult the following website:   Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program (CSSP) - inspection.canada.ca

DFO reminds the public of the following season dates of the recreational groundfish fishery.

2GHJ3KL (north and east coasts):
•    Summer Season - Wednesday, July 01, 2026 to Monday, September 07, 2026
•    Fall Season - Saturday, September 19, 2026 to Sunday, September 27, 2026 

3Ps and 4R3Pn (south and west coasts):
Summer Season:
•    Saturday, July 04, 2026 to Monday, July 06, 2026
•    Saturday, July 11, 2026 to Monday, July 13, 2026
•    Saturday, July 18, 2026 to Monday, July 20, 2026
•    Saturday, July 25, 2026 to Monday, July 27, 2026
•    Saturday, August 01 2026 to Monday, August 03, 2026
•    Saturday, August 08, 2026 to Monday, August 10, 2026
•    Saturday, August 15, 2026 to Monday, August 17, 2026
•    Saturday, August 22, 2026 to Monday, August 24, 2026
•    Saturday, August 29, 2026 to Monday, August 31, 2026
•    Saturday, September 05, 2026 to Monday, September 07, 2026

Fall Season:
•    Saturday, September 19, 2026 to Sunday, September 27, 2026

Recreational fishers are limited to five (5) groundfish per day (including cod). There is no boat limit.  

The Department reminds recreational fishery participants to practice safe boating and check the weather before heading out on the water. For more information on boating safety please refer to the Safe Boating Guide. For specific information regarding Transport Canada rules and regulations or to request a pleasure craft courtesy check please contact the Office of Boating Safety at 1-800-230-3693 or obs-atl-bsn@tc.gc.ca.

Further details on the management measures for the Newfoundland and Labrador recreational groundfish fishery can be found online at the following website: 

Newfoundland and Labrador Recreational Groundfish Fishery

Public Notices 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 all Public Notices sent to you directly by email, please contact: NLPRI@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO advises that the recreational groundfish fishery will be open in all NAFO areas/subareas of Newfoundland and Labrador and follow an area-based management approach. There is no requirement for a licence or tags for the general public.

Recognizing differences in the health of the three Atlantic cod stocks in adjacent waters and informed by survey results, in 2GHJ3KL (north and east coasts) the fishery will be open seven days a week from Memorial Day/Canada Day to Labour Day with a nine day period in the fall. In 3Ps and 3Pn4R (south and west coasts) the fishery will be open weekends (Saturday, Sunday, and Monday) throughout the summer with a nine day period in the fall. Season dates by area are specified below.

Three exceptions are the Eastport, Gilbert Bay and Laurentian Channel Marine Protected Areas (MPA) where recreational groundfish fishing will not be permitted.

Season Dates by Area:

2GHJ3KL (north and east coasts):

•    Summer Season - Wednesday, July 01 to Monday, September 07, 2026
•    Fall Season - Saturday, September 19 to Sunday, September 27, 2026 

3Ps and 4R3Pn (south and west coasts):

Summer Season:

•    Saturday, July 04 to Monday, July 06, 2026
•    Saturday, July 11 to Monday, July 13, 2026
•    Saturday, July 18 to Monday, July 20, 2026
•    Saturday, July 25 to Monday, July 27, 2026
•    Saturday, August 01 2026 to Monday, August 03, 2026
•    Saturday, August 08, 2026 to Monday, August 10, 2026
•    Saturday, August 15, 2026 to Monday, August 17, 2026
•    Saturday, August 22, 2026 to Monday, August 24, 2026
•    Saturday, August 29, 2026 to Monday, August 31, 2026
•    Saturday, September 05, 2026 to Monday, September 07, 2026

Fall Season:

•    Saturday, September 19, 2026 to Sunday, September 27, 2026

Recreational fishers are limited to five (5) groundfish per day (including cod). There is no boat limit.  

The Department reminds recreational fishery participants to practice safe boating and check the weather before heading out on the water. For more information on boating safety please refer to the Safe Boating Guide. For specific information regarding Transport Canada rules and regulations or to request a pleasure craft courtesy check please contact the Office of Boating Safety at 1-800-230-3693 or obs-atl-bsn@tc.gc.ca.

Provisions will continue that allow a person with a disability to designate a person to catch their daily limit of groundfish. The disability designation form and further details on the management measures for the Newfoundland and Labrador recreational groundfish fishery can be found online at the following website: Decisions for Atlantic Canada, Quebec and the Arctic - 2026.

The tour boat voluntary pilot program will continue for Transport Canada certified tour boat operators. This includes a tagging system and retention of two fish per passenger per day, seven days a week with mandatory harvest reporting requirements. To apply for this licence, please contact DFO.ExperimentalLicensing-Experimental.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

DFO Science conducts ongoing tagging programs for various groundfish species to support research on fish movement, growth, and natural mortality. If you capture a tagged groundfish, please return the tag to claim your monetary reward by mailing it to DFO’s Science Branch.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2025-279 and 2025-280 have been revoked, and Variation Orders 2026-063 and 2026-064 come into effect on May 16, 2026.

Public Notices 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 all Public Notices sent to you directly by email, please contact: NLPRI@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) advises the public of the closures of portions of Notre Dame Bay for the harvesting of all molluscan bivalve shellfish for recreational and commercial purposes in the following areas effective 1800 hours, May 13, 2026:

Osmonton Arm:
Those waters of Little Northwest Arm, that are inside, or southwest, of a line drawn from coordinate 49.4578278, -55.3634257 southeast to coordinate 49.4525412, -55.3606694. 

Big Island:
Those waters of Big Island, West Arm that are bounded by, or inside, a series of straight lines drawn from latitude/longitude 49.3686916, -55.4394693 northeast to reference 49.3695417, -55.4354722; latitude/longitude 49.3594522, -55.4404327 southwest to reference 49.3571905, -55.4468041 thence northwest to reference 49.3586479, -55.4490750, thence northwest to reference 49.3618380, -554499504; latitude/longitude 49.3618380, -55.4499504 northeast to reference 49.3642700, -55.4484013, thence northeast to 49.3650692, -55.4479314. 

Strong Island:
Those waters of Strong Island Sound that are inside, or southeast of a straight line drawn from latitude/longitude 49.3872110, -55.3436630 northeast to reference 49.3865676, -55.3482039.

The closures noted above apply to the following molluscan bivalve shellfish:
All bivalve shellfish including Arctic wedge calms, Atlantic razor clams, Atlantic surf clams, bay quahaugs, northern propeller clams, ocean quahaugs, softshell clam, Stimpson's surf clams, bay mussels, blue mussel, horse mussels, American oysters, bay scallops, Iceland scallops, purple hinge rock scallop, northern moon snails, waved whelks, Stimpson's whelks, except sea scallops.

More detailed information on these closed areas can be obtained from the nearest DFO office or the following website:  Check Before you Harvest

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Prohibition Orders NSN-2026-001, NSN-2026-002, NSN-2026-003 come into effect at 1800 hours May 13, 2026.

For more information on the Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program please consult the following website: Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program (CSSP)

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) advises the public of the closures of portions of Notre Dame Bay for the harvesting of all molluscan bivalve shellfish for recreational and commercial purposes in the following areas effective 1800 hours, May 13, 2026:

Osmonton Arm:
Those waters of Little Northwest Arm, that are inside, or southwest, of a line drawn from coordinate 49.4578278, -55.3634257 southeast to coordinate 49.4525412, -55.3606694. 

Big Island:
Those waters of Big Island, West Arm that are bounded by, or inside, a series of straight lines drawn from latitude/longitude 49.3686916, -55.4394693 northeast to reference 49.3695417, -55.4354722; latitude/longitude 49.3594522, -55.4404327 southwest to reference 49.3571905, -55.4468041 thence northwest to reference 49.3586479, -55.4490750, thence northwest to reference 49.3618380, -554499504; latitude/longitude 49.3618380, -55.4499504 northeast to reference 49.3642700, -55.4484013, thence northeast to 49.3650692, -55.4479314. 

Strong Island:
Those waters of Strong Island Sound that are inside, or southeast of a straight line drawn from latitude/longitude 49.3872110, -55.3436630 northeast to reference 49.3865676, -55.3482039.

The closures noted above apply to the following molluscan bivalve shellfish:
All bivalve shellfish including Arctic wedge calms, Atlantic razor clams, Atlantic surf clams, bay quahaugs, northern propeller clams, ocean quahaugs, softshell clam, Stimpson's surf clams, bay mussels, blue mussel, horse mussels, American oysters, bay scallops, Iceland scallops, purple hinge rock scallop, northern moon snails, waved whelks, Stimpson's whelks, except sea scallops.

More detailed information on these closed areas can be obtained from the nearest DFO office or the following website:  Check Before you Harvest

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Prohibition Orders NSN-2026-001, NSN-2026-002, NSN-2026-003 come into effect at 1800 hours May 13, 2026.

For more information on the Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program please consult the following website: Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program (CSSP)

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) advises the public of the re-opening for the harvesting of all bivalve shellfish (Arctic wedge calms, Atlantic razor clams, Atlantic surf clams, bay quahaugs, northern propeller clams, ocean quahaugs, softshell clam, Stimpson's surf clams, bay mussels, blue mussel, horse mussels, American oysters, bay scallops, Iceland scallops, purple hinge rock scallop, sea scallops, northern moon snails, waved whelks, and Stimpson's whelks) for recreational or commercial purposes, effective 1600 hours on Friday, May 8, 2026 for a portion of Tommy's Arm, Notre Dame Bay as defined by those waters located inside of the following points:

49.472659° N, 55.760129° W,
49.467834° N, 55.772489° W,
49.468113° N, 55.762232° W,
49.471515° N, 55.765108° W,
49.470037° N, 55.789312° W,
49.46471° N, 55.785578° W.

More detailed information on these closed areas can be obtained from the nearest DFO office or the following website: Check Before you Harvest

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Prohibition Order NSN-2025-002 has been repealed effective 1600 hours on May 8, 2026.  

For more information on the Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program please consult the following website:  Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program (CSSP)

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) advises the public of the re-opening for the harvesting of all bivalve shellfish (Arctic wedge calms, Atlantic razor clams, Atlantic surf clams, bay quahaugs, northern propeller clams, ocean quahaugs, softshell clam, Stimpson's surf clams, bay mussels, blue mussel, horse mussels, American oysters, bay scallops, Iceland scallops, purple hinge rock scallop, sea scallops, northern moon snails, waved whelks, and Stimpson's whelks) for recreational or commercial purposes, effective 1600 hours on Friday, May 8, 2026 for a portion of Tommy's Arm, Notre Dame Bay as defined by those waters located inside of the following points:

49.472659° N, 55.760129° W,
49.467834° N, 55.772489° W,
49.468113° N, 55.762232° W,
49.471515° N, 55.765108° W,
49.470037° N, 55.789312° W,
49.46471° N, 55.785578° W.

More detailed information on these closed areas can be obtained from the nearest DFO office or the following website:  Check Before you Harvest

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Prohibition Order NSN-2025-002 has been repealed effective 1600 hours on May 8, 2026.  

For more information on the Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program please consult the following website:  Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program (CSSP)

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) advises the public of the re-opening for the harvesting of all bivalve shellfish (Arctic wedge calms, Atlantic razor clams, Atlantic surf clams, bay quahaugs, northern propeller clams, ocean quahaugs, softshell clam, Stimpson's surf clams, bay mussels, blue mussel, horse mussels, American oysters, bay scallops, Iceland scallops, purple hinge rock scallop, sea scallops, northern moon snails, waved whelks, and Stimpson's whelks) for recreational or commercial purposes, effective 1600 hours on Friday, May 8, 2026 for a portion of Tommy's Arm, Notre Dame Bay as defined by those waters located inside of the following points:

49.472659° N, 55.760129° W,
49.467834° N, 55.772489° W,
49.468113° N, 55.762232° W,
49.471515° N, 55.765108° W,
49.470037° N, 55.789312° W,
49.46471° N, 55.785578° W.

More detailed information on these closed areas can be obtained from the nearest DFO office or the following website:  Check Before you Harvest

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Prohibition Order NSN-2025-002 has been repealed effective 1600 hours on May 8, 2026.  

For more information on the Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program please consult the following website:  Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program (CSSP)