PUBLIC NOTICES

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) advises the public of the re-opening for the harvesting of all bivalve shellfish (including Arctic wedge clams, Softshell clam, Stimpson's surf clams, American oysters, Iceland scallops, Purple-hinge rock scallop, sea scallops) for recreational or commercial purposes in the following areas effective 1200 hours (noon) on Monday, February 28, 2022:

East Coast of Newfoundland: from Bald Head (east of Little Heart's Ease) in Trinity Bay at coordinate 47.990310,-53.635224, east to Brigus Head (near Brigus South / Cape Broyle) at coordinate 47.099526, -52.867691.

and

South and East Coast of Newfoundland: from Friar Head in Fortune Bay at coordinate 47.5853, -55.0787 east to Brigus Head near South Brigus/ Cape Broyle at coordinate 47.099526, -52.867691.

More detailed information on remaining 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Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Prohibition Orders NSN-2022-002 and NSN-2022-004 have been repealed effective 1200 hours (noon) Monday, February 28, 2022.

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 closure for the harvesting of all bivalve shellfish including Arctic wedge clams, Softshell clam, Stimpson's surf clams, American oysters, Iceland scallops, Purple-hinge rock scallop (excluding sea scallop) for recreational or commercial purposes in the following areas effective 1200 hours (noon) on February 24, 2022:

From Friar Head in Fortune Bay at coordinate 47.5853, -55.0787 east to Brigus Head near South Brigus/ Cape Broyle at coordinate 47.099526, -52.867691 BUT excluding those waters of Big South West Arm in Merasheen Island.

Note: This closure is an update of the February 7, 2022 closure for this area to re-open only the waters of Big South West Arm in Merasheen Island.  The closure for the remaining area between Friar Head and Brigus Head is still in effect as noted above.

As a result, there is reason to believe that the sanitary conditions of the adjacent marine waters may have degraded to the point where accepted water quality standards have been exceeded and the contamination of the water would likely pose a risk to public health if shellfish in the affected area were harvested for consumption.

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-2022-001 is revoked and NSN-2022-004 comes into effect at 1200 hours on February 24, 2022.

In accordance with Appendix VIII of the CSSP Manual of Operations, these areas must remain closed for a minimum of seven days. There will be a Public Notice when the closure is lifted.

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 closure for the harvesting of all bivalve shellfish including Arctic wedge clams, Softshell clam, Stimpson's surf clams, American oysters, Iceland scallops, Purple-hinge rock scallop (excluding sea scallop) for recreational or commercial purposes in the following areas effective 1200 hours (noon) on February 21, 2022: 

West Coast of Newfoundland: from La Fontaine Point (north of Daniel's Harbour) at coordinate 50.476347,-57.475002, south to Robinsons Head (near Robinsons) at coordinate 48.261007, -58.809454. 

As a result, there is reason to believe that the sanitary conditions of the adjacent marine waters may have degraded to the point where accepted water quality standards have been exceeded and the contamination of the water would likely pose a risk to public health if shellfish in the affected area were harvested for consumption. 

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-2022-003 comes into effect at 1200 hours (noon) on February 21, 2022. 

In accordance with Appendix VIII of the CSSP Manual of Operations, these areas must remain closed for a minimum of seven days. There will be a Public Notice when the closure is lifted. 

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

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans would like to advise that virtual Outreach meetings will be held throughout the Region in the coming weeks.

The intent of these meetings is to provide inshore harvesters and other interested stakeholders an opportunity to discuss matters of concern with respect to the various inshore fisheries. The Department would also like to take the opportunity to discuss recent changes to various licensing processes and to seek input on the Vessel Length/Replacement policy. 

The proposed agenda is as follows: 

1.    Introduction. 

2.    Licencing requests, NOLS and service standards. 

3.    Vessel Length/Replacement Policy  

4.    Inshore Regulations.   

5.    Open Agenda. 

There will be additional meetings for Fish Harvesters in other NAFO areas and more information will be released in the near future.

Meeting: Participants from Labrador - February 22, 2022: 

7pm-9pm Atlantic time zone

7:30pm-9:30pm Newfoundland time zone

Join Zoom Meeting

or by dialing any of the Canadian numbers below and entering the meeting ID and passcode provided:

        +1 647 374 4685 Canada

        +1 647 558 0588 Canada

        +1 778 907 2071 Canada

        +1 204 272 7920 Canada

        +1 438 809 7799 Canada

        +1 587 328 1099 Canada

Meeting ID: 949 2028 2591        Passcode: 298374

"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

Molluscan Shellfish Harvesting Emergency Closures due to Significant Rainfall - East and South Coast of Newfoundland

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) advises the public of the closure for the harvesting of all bivalve shellfish including Arctic wedge clams, Softshell clam, Stimpson's surf clams, American oysters, Iceland scallops, Purple-hinge rock scallop (excluding sea scallop) for recreational or commercial purposes in the following areas effective 1200 hours on February 7, 2022:

East Coast of Newfoundland: from Bald Head (east of Little Heart's Ease) in Trinity Bay at coordinate 47.990310,-53.635224, east to Brigus Head (near Brigus South / Cape Broyle) at coordinate 47.099526, -52.867691. 

and

South and East Coast of Newfoundland: from Friar Head in Fortune Bay at coordinate 47.5853, -55.0787 east to Brigus Head near South Brigus/ Cape Broyle at coordinate 47.099526, -52.867691.

As a result, there is reason to believe that the sanitary conditions of the adjacent marine waters may have degraded to the point where accepted water quality standards have been exceeded and the contamination of the water would likely pose a risk to public health if shellfish in the affected area were harvested for consumption.

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-2022-001 and NSN-2022-002 comes into effect at 1200 hours on February 7, 2022.

In accordance with Appendix VIII of the CSSP Manual of Operations, these areas must remain closed for a minimum of seven days. There will be a Public Notice when the closure is lifted.

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