Shellfish

DFO advises 3Ps harvesters that lobster fishing Area 10 (Placentia Bay), will open 0600 hours Saturday May 3, 2025, and close 2000 hours Friday July 11, 2025.

Harvesters are reminded that they are not permitted to retrieve fishing gear or possess lobsters during the initial 48-hour gear-setting period after the opening date; as well LFA 10 conditions prohibit gear retrieval between 2100 hours (9 p.m.) on Saturday and 0500 hours (5 a.m.) on Monday.

Harvesters are also reminded they are permitted to harvest bait for the lobster fishery as per the conditions of their bait license.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-039 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-042 will come into force on May 1, 2025.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

DFO advises fish harvesters that the Snow crab fishery in Crab Fishing Area 12D will close at 2000 hours on April 26, 2025.

All gear must be removed from the water by closing time.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region, gives notice that Variation Order 2025-027 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-041 will come into force on April 26, 2025.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 

DFO advises 3Ps harvesters that the Scallop Fishery will open South of 47°00’ N: Outer Bay areas in SFA 10 and 11, at 0600 hours on Friday, April 25, 2025.

Fish harvesters are reminded that fishing is not permitted in the Middle bed, Southern bed, Core Area or the North Bed. These areas are defined in your licence conditions.

The North Bed and Core Area will open later. A permit is required to fish the North Bed and Core Area.

Fish harvesters are reminded of VMS requirements as outlined in licence conditions.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region, gives notice that Variation Order 2025-002 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-040 will come into force on April 24, 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

DFO advises fish harvesters that LFA 14A (Cape St. Gregory to Point Riche) will open at 0600 hours on April 24, 2025.

Harvesters are reminded that they are not permitted to retrieve fishing gear or possess lobsters during the initial 48-hour gear-setting period after the opening date.

Harvesters are also reminded they are permitted to harvest bait for the lobster fishery as per the conditions of their bait license.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-038 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-039 will come into force on April 24, 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.

DFO advises that the details of the management measures for the 2025 Scallop fishery, NAFO sub-division 3Ps (Inshore >50’ Fleet), in Newfoundland and Labrador are now available at:

2025 Scallop fishery, NAFO Sub-Division 3Ps (Inshore >50’ Fleet)

Pêche du pétoncle 2025, sous-division 3Ps de l’OPANO (pêche côtière, flotte supérieure à 50 pieds)

"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 of the opening and closing dates for the following Lobster Fishing Areas:

Note: All opening times are 0600 hours and all closing times are 2000 hours.

- LFA 11 East (East of Western Head, Hare Bay): April 19, 2025, to June 22, 2025.

- LFA 11 West (West of Western Head, Hare Bay): April 26, 2025, to June 29, 2025.

Harvesters are reminded that they are not permitted to retrieve fishing gear or possess lobsters during the initial 48-hour gear-setting period after the opening date.

Harvesters are also reminded they are permitted to harvest bait for the lobster fishery as per the conditions of their bait license.

Harvesters in LFA 11 are reminded that the portion of Lobster Fishing Area 11 (Penguin Islands) bounded by lines connecting the following points remains closed:

Point North Latitude West Longitude
1. 47° 22' 01.8" N 57° 01' 01.0" W
2. 47° 23' 48.6" N 57° 01' 01.0" W
3. 47° 23' 53.2" N 57° 56' 54.5" W
4. 47° 22' 01.8" N 57° 56' 54.5" W.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-033 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2025-038 will come into force on April 18, 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

DFO advises of the following opening and closing dates for the following Lobster Fishing Areas:

Note all opening times are 0600 hours and all closing times are 2000 hours.

- LFA 12: April 22, 2025 to July 1, 2025.
- LFA 13A: April 23, 2025 to July 4, 2025.
- LFA 13B: April 23, 2025 to July 5, 2025.

Harvesters are reminded that they are not permitted to retrieve fishing gear or possess lobsters during the initial 48 hour gear-setting period after the opening date.

Harvesters are also reminded they are permitted to harvest bait for the lobster fishery as per the conditions of their bait licence.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-033 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2025-038 will come into force on April 18, 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

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) advises harvesters that the Shrimp fishery in Shrimp Fishing Area 8 for the Western NL fleet is open.

Licence fees and licence conditions will soon be available in the National Online Licencing System (NOLS).

"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 wishes to advise Lobster Harvesters that Buddy-Up Applications are available for Lobster Fishing Area 11 (Fortune Bay). Fish Harvesters can request an application through the National Online Licensing System (NOLS)  National Online Licensing System

PLEASE NOTE: COMPLETED APPLICATIONS MUST BE UPLOADED TO THE NATIONAL ONLINE LICENCING SYSTEM AND RECEIVED BY CLOSE OF BUSINESS WEDNESDAY April 16, 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

DFO advises of the following 3L lobster area opening and closing dates:

Note all opening times are 0600 hours and all closing times are 2000 hours.

LFA 5 (Bonavista Bay): May 8, 2025 to July 13, 2025
LFA 6 (Trinity Bay): April 19, 2025 to July 1, 2025
LFA 7 (Conception Bay): May 3, 2025 to July 8, 2025
LFA 8 (Southern Shore): May 1, 2025 to July 5, 2025
LFA 9A (Trepassey Bay): May 7, 2025 to July 4, 2025
LFA 9B (St. Mary's Bay): April 17, 2025 to June 27, 2025

Harvesters are reminded that they are not permitted to retrieve fishing gear or possess lobsters during the initial 48 hour gear-setting period after the opening date.

Harvesters are also reminded they are permitted to harvest bait for the lobster fishery as per the conditions of their bait licence.

Licence fees and licence conditions will soon be available in the National Online Licencing System (NOLS).

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2024-309 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2025-033 will come into force on April 12, 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