PUBLIC NOTICES

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) wishes to advise that in-person Outreach Meetings will be held throughout the Region in the coming weeks.

These meetings are intended to provide inshore harvesters and other interested stakeholders an opportunity to engage in open dialogue regarding matters of concern related to the inshore fisheries.

NAFO Division 3K
Monday, October 27, 2025 – Carmenville, Recreation Center: 2:00–4:00 PM
Tuesday, October 28, 2025 – Robert's Arm, Town Hall: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Thursday, October 30, 2025 – St. Anthony, Lions Club: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Thursday, October 30, 2025 – Roddickton-Bide Arm, Cross Country Arena: 3:00–5:00 PM

NAFO Division 3L
Monday, November 3, 2025 – Dildo, SUF Hall: 2:00–4:00 PM
Tuesday, November 4, 2025 – Branch, Branch Community Center: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Tuesday, November 4, 2025 – Renews, Town Hall: 6:00–8:00 PM
Wednesday, November 5, 2025 – Bay De Verde, Town Hall: 1:00–3:00 PM
Thursday, November 6, 2025 – Salvage, 50+ Club: 1:00–3:00 PM

NAFO Divisions 4R3Pn
Monday, October 27, 2025 – Stephenville, Day’s Inn: 1:00–3:00 PM
Tuesday, October 28, 2025 – Rocky Harbour, Fisherman’s Landing: 1:00–3:00 PM
Wednesday, October 29, 2025 – Plum Point, Plum Point Motel: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM

NAFO Division 3PS
Tuesday, November 18, 2025 – Placentia, Placentia Cultural Arts Centre: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Wednesday, November 19, 2025 – Grand Bank, Burin Peninsula Hotel – Dining Room: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Thursday, November 20, 2025 – Hermitage, Community Centre – Fire Dept Room: 1:00–3:00 PM

NAFO Division 2J
Monday, October 27, 2025 – Cartwright, 50 Plus Club: 1:00–4:00 PM
Monday, October 27, 2025 – Port Hope Simpson, Alexis Hotel Dining Room: 6:00–8:00 PM
Tuesday, October 28, 2025 – Mary’s Harbour, Recreation Commission: 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Tuesday, October 28, 2025 – St. Lewis, Town Hall: 2:00–4:00 PM
Wednesday, October 29, 2025 – Charlottetown, Town Hall: 9:00 AM–12:00 PM

For further information, please contact your local DFO office.

"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 

With wildfires significantly limiting many people’s ability to take part in the Recreational Groundfish Fishery and expected challenging sea conditions in the coming days, DFO advises that the 2025 recreational groundfish fishery season will be extended to include two additional weekends in September: 

Saturday, September 06, 2025 to Monday, September 08, 2025 
Saturday, September 13, 2025 to Monday, September 15, 2025 

All other rules and regulations for the fishery remain the same. 

Details on the management measures for the 2025 Newfoundland and Labrador recreational groundfish fishery can be found online at the following website: : Decisions for Atlantic Canada, Quebec and the Arctic - 2025

The public is encouraged to follow safe boating practices and be aware of the local weather and sea conditions before leaving port. The Transport Canada Safe Boating Guide offers valuable tips on how to safely load your boat - - https://tc.canada.ca/sites/default/files/2024-03/tp_511e.pdf

The Department will launch a public consultation process this fall on the recreational groundfish fishery. 

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-087 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-210 comes into effect on August 22, 2025.

"Public Notices" are now available online under the Fishery Notices link on the DFO NL Region webpage at Newfoundland and Labrador Region

If you would like all public notices sent to you directly by email, please contact: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca 

DFO advises that in 2025, the recreational groundfish fishery will be open for a total of 39 days, and there is no requirement for a licence or tags for the general public. To inform future management decisions the Department will launch consultations this fall on the recreational groundfish fishery and the varying health of the province’s three cod stocks.

Species and Area:

The recreational groundfish fishery will occur in all NAFO areas/subareas around Newfoundland and Labrador, which includes 2GH, 2J3KL, 3Ps, 3Pn and 4R. Three exceptions are the Eastport, Gilbert Bay and Laurentian Channel Marine Protected Areas (MPA) where recreational groundfish fishing will not be permitted.

Season Dates:
Summer Season:
Saturday, June 28, 2025 to Monday, June 30, 2025
Saturday, July 05, 2025 to Monday, July 07, 2025
Saturday, July 12, 2025 to Monday, July 14, 2025
Saturday, July 19, 2025 to Monday, July 21, 2025
Saturday, July 26, 2025 to Monday, July 28, 2025
Saturday, August 02, 2025 to Monday, August 04, 2025
Saturday, August 09, 2025 to Monday, August 11, 2025
Saturday, August 16, 2025 to Monday, August 18, 2025
Saturday, August 23, 2025 to Monday, August 25, 2025
Saturday, August 30, 2025 to Monday, September 01, 2025

Fall Season: Saturday, September 20, 2025 to Sunday, September 28, 2025

Recreational fishers are limited to five (5) groundfish per day (including cod). However, the maximum boat limit when three or more people are fishing is 15 groundfish.

For 2025, a new voluntary pilot program is available for Transport Canada certified tour boat operators introducing a tagging system that will allow retention of two fish per passenger per day, seven days a week. This licence includes mandatory harvest reporting requirements. To apply for this licence, please contact DFO.ExperimentalLicensing-Experimental.MPO@dfo-mpo.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 details on all applicable Management Measures will be available online.

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.

Further details on the management measure for the 2025 Newfoundland and Labrador recreational groundfish fishery can be found online at the following website: 

Decisions for Atlantic Canada, Quebec and the Arctic - 2025

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2024-314 and 2024-315 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2025-086 and 2025-087 come into effect on June 19, 2025.

"Public Notices" are now available online under the Fishery Notices link on the DFO NL Region webpage at Newfoundland and Labrador Region

If you would like all public notices sent to you directly by email, please contact: miranda.pryor@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 Tuesday, June 10, 2025 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-2025-002 comes into effect 1800 hours Tuesday, June 10, 2025. 

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 Tuesday, June 10, 2025 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-2025-002 comes into effect 1800 hours Tuesday, June 10, 2025. 

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

DFO advises that the Minister approved management measures for the Atlantic Mackerel recreational fishery for 2025 and 2026.

Please be advised that when fishing recreationally for Atlantic Mackerel, the following management measure is in effect to support rebuilding of the stock:

1.    Reduction in the gear allowance to 1 line and 3 hooks when fishing Atlantic Mackerel recreationally. 

Fisheries and Oceans Canada will vary the gear allowance which prohibits recreational fishing with more than 5 lines or 1 fishing line with 6 hooks, as outlined in Section 49.01(d) of the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985, to 1 line and 3 hooks to reduce effort in the recreational fishery.

"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 Minister approved management measures for the Atlantic Mackerel recreational fishery for 2025 and 2026.

Please be advised that when fishing recreationally for Atlantic Mackerel, the following management measure is in effect to limit dead discards and support rebuilding of the stock:

1.    No minimum size requirement when fishing Atlantic mackerel recreationally. 

Fisheries and Oceans Canada will vary the minimum size for possession of Atlantic Mackerel from 26.8 cm, as outlined in Section 49.01(b) of the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985, to 0 cm in length. This would mean that recreational harvesters can retain any size fish caught up to their daily possession limit of 20 Mackerel without discarding large numbers of undersized fish that typically die after release.

"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

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) advises the public of the reopening 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 Tuesday, May 6, 2025 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-2024-002 has been repealed effective 1600 hours on May 6, 2025.  

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 reopening 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 Tuesday, May 6, 2025 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-2024-002 has been repealed effective 1600 hours on May 6, 2025.  

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

DFO advises Newfoundland and Labrador seal harvesters that the seal fishery for Ringed Seals will reopen in Sealing Area 4 at 0600 hours on Saturday April 19, 2025. This includes personal use and license classes N300, N301 and N302.

DFO further advises that as per Section 6(3) of the Marine Mammal Regulations, members of the public that reside immediately adjacent to Sealing Area 4 and fish for seals for food purposes, this hunt will reopen on Saturday at 0600 hours on April 19, 2025.

Commercial seal harvesters are reminded to check with their buyers to confirm a market for their seals before going sealing and that licenses and license conditions are available through DFO’s National Online Licensing System.

Additionally, all Commercial and Personal Use Sealers are reminded that landings must be hailed in daily, as per license conditions.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-018 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2025-036 will come into force April 17, 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