Public Notices

DFO advises that in 2022, the recreational groundfish fishery will be open for a total of 39 days. 

For the 2022 season, there is no requirement for licences or tags.

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, July 02, 2022 to Monday, July 04, 2022

Saturday, July 09, 2022 to Monday, July 11, 2022

Saturday, July 16, 2022 to Monday, July 18, 2022

Saturday, July 23, 2022 to Monday, July 25, 2022

Saturday, July 30, 2022 to Monday, August 01, 2022

Saturday, August 06, 2022 to Monday, August 08, 2022

Saturday, August 13, 2022 to Monday, August 15, 2022

Saturday, August 20, 2022 to Monday, August 22, 2022

Saturday, August 27, 2022 to Monday, August 29, 2022

Saturday, September 03, 2022 to Monday, September 05, 2022

Fall Season:

Saturday, September 24, 2022 to Sunday, October 02, 2022

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.

Provisions will continue that allow a person with a disability to designate a person to catch their daily limit of groundfish will continue. Applicants can access the designation for persons with a disability form here: Fisheries management decisions

First time applicants are required to download, complete and have their doctor/ophthalmologist complete a section of the form. However, individuals who are looking to renew can complete the form electronically by saving it and sending via email or clicking submit at the bottom of the form during which time an email will be generated for the applicant. Applicants are encouraged to submit their application electronically, via email. Applications received via regular mail may result in delays to processing your application.

For 2022, tour boat operators will be eligible to apply for a licence to seek an increased trip limit. This licence will have harvest reporting requirements.

Further details on all applicable Management Measures can be found at 2022 Newfoundland and Labrador recreational Groundfish fishery

For safety reasons, fishing is only permitted from one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset. The public is reminded to follow safe boating practices and be aware of local weather and sea conditions before leaving port.

Participants in the recreational groundfish fishery are further reminded to inspect their catch carefully for pink or yellow tags, located on the back of the fish. The tags are uniquely numbered and have a DFO address and reward value ($10 or $100) printed on them. Participants should return the tag along with the location and date of capture, and include their mailing address, to claim the tag reward.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2021-299 and 2021-300 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2022-080 and 2022-081 come into effect on June 21, 2022.

"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: Karen.Keats-Brett@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 1800hrs Tuesday, May 31, 2022 for the 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:

Check Before you Harvest

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Prohibition Order NSN-2022-048 comes into effect 1800hrs Tuesday, May 31, 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 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 effective 1200 hours (noon) on Tuesday May 3, 2022 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 other 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-2021-006 has been repealed effective 1200 hours (noon) on May 3, 2022.

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 will re-open in Sealing Areas 4 to 23 and Sealing Areas 25 to 27 at 0600 hours on April 8, 2022.

The fishery will open for Front Longliners, Areas 5 to 8 Small Boats and Speed Boats, all Area 4 vessels and for Gulf Longliners, Gulf Small Boats, Gulf Speed Boats as well as Personal Use. This includes License Classes N100 to N106, N200 to N204, N300 to N302, and N400-N401.

DFO further advises Seal harvesters having a homeport located between Big Brook to Noddy Bay inclusive, operating from vessels less than 40 feet, License Classes N203 and N204, that a portion of Sealing Area 5 will also open for Seals at 0600 hours on April 8, 2022.

This "buffer zone" lies inside lines extending from:

The land at 51°18" North, 55° 36" West, to

51°18" North, 54°30" West, to

51°42" North, 54°30" West, to

51°42" North, 55°27" West, to

The land at 51° 30" North, 55 26" West.

Commercial Seal harvesters based in the Front will have access to the Gulf and commercial Seal harvesters based in the Gulf will have access to the Front.

Seal harvesters are advised to check with their buyers to confirm a market for their Seals before going Sealing.

Seal harvesters are reminded that licences and licence conditions are available through DFO's National Online Licencing System.

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

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2022-009 has been revoked and Variation Order 2022-020 is in effect as of April 2, 2022.

"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

In 2022, all commercial fisheries in Canada have a new condition of licence relating to the discharge of garbage from Canadian fishing vessels. This condition is authorized under the Fisheries Act and reads as follows:

The licence holder/operator is prohibited from discarding in Canadian fisheries waters from their vessel any item that may be harmful to fish or fish habitat including but not limited to plastics, ropes, fishing gear, garbage bags, fuel, oil, rags, glass, bottles, metal, extruded polystyrene foam (e.g. Styrofoam), and tires.

This new condition of licence demonstrates Canada's further support for the global recognition of the ecological harm caused by marine pollution; specifically marine plastics. This aligns with the prohibition on the discard of garbage into the ocean pursuant to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act and the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) Annex V, which prohibits the discharge of garbage into the sea from ships.

DFO reminds harvesters that the following Marine Conservation Areas remain closed:

Funk Island Deep Closure

Hatton Basin Conservation Area

Hawke Channel Closure

Hopedale Saddle Closure

Division 3O Coral Closure

Northeast Newfoundland Slope Closure

These areas are closed to various vessel classes and fishing gear. 

More information on the details of these conservation measures can be found at:

(English) Canada’s marine protected and conserved areas

(French)  Aires marines protégées et conservées du Canada

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 1400 hours on Monday, March 14, 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.

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 Order NSN-2022-003 has been repealed effective 1400 hours Monday, March 14 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 re-opening and declassification* of portions of St. Lunaire Bay for the harvesting of all molluscan bivalve shellfish for recreational and commercial purposes in the following areas effective 1800 hours Thursday, March 10, 2022:

Those waters of St. Lunaire Bay that are inside a line drawn from White Dog Point (51.49054 N 55.45900 W) to Persil Cove, South Point (51.46953 N, long 55.47050 W) with the exception of those waters St. Lunaire Bay that remain closed for recreational or commercial purposes as follows:

• That portion of Northwest Bay inside a line connecting the following points: 51.49994 N 55.52749 W, and 51.49721 N 55.53168 W;

• That portion of Northwest Bay inside a line connecting the following points: 51.49318 N 55.52683 W, and 51.49004 N 55.52127 W;

• That portion of St. Lunaire Bay inside a line connecting the following points:51.48538 N 55.50704 W, and 51.47969 N 55.50780 W;

• That portion of Southwest Bay bounded by the shoreline and a series of straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed: 51.47885 N 55.49718 W, to a point at 51.48491 N 55.47784 W, then along the shoreline to a point at 51.48112 N 55.47853 W, to a point at 51.47897 N 55.47868 W, then along the shoreline to a point at 51.47371 N 55.47705 W, to a point at 51.47322 N 55.47914 W, then along the shoreline back to the point of commencement.

All other current molluscan bi-valve shellfish closures for White Bay and Green Bay will remain closed for recreational or commercial purposes including the following areas:

• That portion of Southwest Bay bounded by the shoreline and a series of straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed: 51.53752 N 55.46529 W, to a point at 51.53795 N 55.46385 W, to a point at 51.53813 N 55.46033 W, then along the shoreline to a point at 51.52390 N 55.46037 W, to a point at 51.52379 N 55.46082 W, then along the shoreline back to the point of commencement;

• That portion of Ariege Bay (Belvy bay) bounded by the shoreline and a series of straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed: 51.19536 N 56.00695 W, to a point at 51.19121 N 55.98351 W, then along the shoreline to a point at 51.17278 N 55.98696 W, to a point at 51.17105 N 55.98893 W, then along the shoreline to a point at 51.16959 N 55.99101 W, to a point at 51.16981 N 55.99788 W, then along the shoreline to a point at 51.17348 N 56.02098 W, to a point at 51.17429 N 56.02169 W, then along the shoreline back to the point of commencement;

• That portion of Chimney Bay inside a line connecting the following points: 50.84570 N 56.13780 W, to a point at 50.84479 N 56.13898 W, to a point at 50.84392 N 56.15561 W, to a point at 50.84298 N 56.15613 W;

• That portion of Middle Arm inside a line connecting the following points: 49.89757 N 56.46078 W, and 49.89798 N 56.44915 W;

• That portion of Fleur de Lys Harbour inside a line connecting the following points: 50.11698 N 56.12353 W, and 50.11533 N 56.12780 W;

• That portion of Northwest Bay inside a line connecting the following points: 51.56002 N 55.47411 W, and 51.55929 N 55.47909 W.

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 Order NTN-2001-003 has been repealed and Prohibition Orders NTN-2022-005, NTN-2022-006, NTN-2022-008, NTN-2022-009, NTN-2022-010 and NTN-2022-011 comes into effect on 1800 hours Thursday, March 10, 2022.

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

*The purpose of this re-opening is to declassify the water, which consists of removing a classification assigned to a shellfish sector, and will ensure that the sector becomes unclassified and is therefore no longer subject to CSSP controls such as monitoring. Since this declassified area will no longer be monitored, shellfish should not be harvested from this area for human consumption.

DFO advises that both the Commercial fishery and Personal Use fishery for Harp seals and Hooded seals will close in all areas to all seal harvesters and all fleets based in Newfoundland and Labrador at 1800 hours on Tuesday, March 8, 2022. 

This is the annual closure to allow time for seal whelping and nursing.

Re-opening dates for the 2022 season for these Seal fisheries, in both the Gulf and on the Front, will be announced at a later date.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2021-031 has been revoked and Variation Order 2022-009 comes into effect on March 8, 2022.

"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

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans would like to remind harvesters that a virtual Outreach meeting this evening for NAFO Sub division 3Ps.

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 replacement length policy. 

The proposed agenda is as follows: 

1. Introduction. 

2. Licencing requests, NOLS and service standards. 

3. Vessel Replacement Length Policy 

4. Inshore Regulations. 

5. Open Agenda. 

3Ps Outreach

Mar 2, 2022 07:00 PM - 09:00 PM Newfoundland and Labrador

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 985 0576 6242

Passcode: 394050

OR

Dial by using any of the Canadian numbers below and entering the meeting ID and passcode provided:

1 204 272 7920 

1 438 809 7799 

1 587 328 1099 

1 647 374 4685 

1 647 558 0588 

1 778 907 2071 

Meeting ID: 985 0576 6242

Passcode: 394050