NOTICE TO FISH HARVESTERS

Applications are now being accepted for the Unit 1 Redfish Experimental Fishing Plan for Spring 2025.  

Applications should be submitted to: Elysabeth.Theberge@dfo-mpo.gc.ca, and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.   

Information on the experimental fishing plan and application forms can be found on the DFO’s website: Experimental fishing plan Unit 1 Redfish - Spring 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 2+3KLMNO Mobile Gear Greenland Halibut (Turbot) fishery will open at 0600 hours on Thursday, May 15, 2025, for vessel class C175.

Conditions of license are available through the National Online Licensing System (NOLS).

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2025-020 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2025-054 comes into effect on May 14, 2025.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 of the following opening and closing lobster fishing areas:

LFA 14B (Point Riche to Big Brook) will open at 0600 hours on May 10, 2025 and close at 2000 hours on July 7, 2025; 

LFA 14C (Big Brook to Cape Bauld) will open at 0600 hours on May 14, 2025 and close at 2000 hours on July 14, 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.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2025-047 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2025-052 comes into effect on May 10, 2025.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 Snow Crab fishery will open at 0600 hours on Thursday, May 15, 2025, for 2J (South) and will close at 2400 hours on Friday, July 11, 2025.

Fish harvesters are reminded that they are not authorized to set Crab traps until 72 hours after the Snow Crab fishery season has opened. Therefore, any setting of Crab traps or possession of Crab before 0600 hours on Sunday, May 18, 2025 is prohibited.

License fees and license conditions are available through the National Online Licensing System (NOLS).

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region give notice that Variation Order 2025-041 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-053 will come into force on May 10, 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 Atlantic Halibut fishery in NAFO Sub-Division 3Pn, for vessels less than 65 feet using hook and line gear, will close at 1200 hours May 10, 2025 due to incidental catch of Cod exceeding the established protocols.

"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 Scallop fishery in Scallop Fishing Area 14A (Ferolle Point to Cape Bauld) will open May 9, 2025 at 0600 hours.

Fish harvesters are reminded that for quota monitoring purposes, the north and south quota management areas are divided at 51 degrees 25 minutes North latitude.

Fish harvesters are reminded that they must have at-sea observer coverage services arranged before commencing fishing.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2025-046 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2025-051 comes into effect on May 09, 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 will be releasing a total allowable catch of 440 tonnes (t) for the Atlantic Mackerel personal-use bait fishery in two equal parts. This will be a competitive fishery and the first release of 220t will open to harvesters in all four DFO regions in Atlantic Canada and Quebec on Thursday, May 15, 2025.

For the NL Region in Mackerel Fishing Areas 1 -14 the personal use mackerel bait fishery will open at 0600 hours on Thursday, May 15, 2025.

Harvesters participating in this personal use bait fishery are reminded:

• they will be restricted to a daily limit of 454 kg (1,000 lbs) to be fished by either gillnet or handline,
• a mandatory hail-in will be required for all harvesters participating in the personal use mackerel bait fishery,
• an accurate catch estimate must be provided prior to offloading your catch and harvesters must hail a trip summary to the Fish Harvesters’ Resource Centre at 1-877-884-7359 / 1-888-562-4511,
• harvesters will be alerted of closures through a Notice to Fish Harvesters,
• bait licences will be available through the National Online Licensing System,
• the second 220t release will also be conveyed through a Notice to Fish Harvesters with an expected release date in September.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2024-317 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2025-050 will come into force on May 8, 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 3K lobster area opening and closing dates:

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

LFA 3 (White Bay): May 12, 2025 to July 15, 2025

LFA 4A (Notre Dame Bay West): May 17, 2025 to July 12, 2025

LFA 4B (Notre Dame Bay East): May 10, 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.

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 2025-042 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-047 will come into force on May 7, 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 3Ps Scallop fishery in the Core Area will open at 0600 hours on Saturday, May 10, 2025.

Access to Iceland scallop in the Core Area is available by trip permit for the 6 traditional harvesters. If you meet the criteria and you are interested in fishing in the Core Area in 2025, please contact DFO through the National Online Licensing System (NOLS) to request access and an application for a permit. 

For the 2025 season, access to Iceland scallop in the Core Area will also be available to 3 additional harvesters. This access will be provided via a trip permit. If you are a 3Ps scallop licence holder in the >50’ fleet and wish to receive a permit, please contact DFO through the National Online Licensing System. A draw will be conducted, if required, and a subsequent draw may be conducted to harvest any quota not taken during the initial permit period.

Access to Iceland scallop in the Core Area is limited to a maximum of 3 harvesters at any one time. Priority will be provided to issuing permits to the traditional harvesters.  

The Core Area is defined as that portion of Scallop Fishing Area 11 bounded by a line connecting the following coordinates:

•    46 degrees 52.7 minutes North latitude, 57 degrees 28 minutes West longitude to;
•    46 degrees 52.7 minutes North latitude, 56 degrees 29 minutes West longitude to;
•    46 degrees 30.0 minutes North latitude, 56 degrees 29 minutes West longitude to;
•    46 degrees 30.0 minutes North latitude, 57 degrees 28 minutes West longitude to;
•    46 degrees 52.7 minutes North latitude, 57 degrees 28 minutes West longitude.

Fish harvesters are reminded that they must have at-sea observer coverage services arranged before commencing fishing.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-044 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-046 will come into force on May 3, 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 Scallop fishery in the 3Ps North Bed in Scallop Fishing Area (SFA) 11 will open at 0600 hours on Saturday, May 10, 2025.

If you are a 3Ps Scallop licence holder with vessel eligibility of >50' and you are interested in fishing Scallop on the North Bed in 2025, please contact DFO through the National Online Licensing System (NOLS) to request access and an application for a permit. Those seeking access will be reviewed against policy, before determining whether they will be granted access.

A Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) or Observer coverage is required to fish in the North Bed scallop area.

The North Bed is defined as that portion of Scallop Fishing Area 11, bounded by a line connecting the following coordinates:

•    46 degrees 30.0 minutes North latitude, 57 degrees 28 minutes West longitude to;
•    46 degrees 30.0 minutes North latitude, 56 degrees 46 minutes West longitude along the Canada/France boundary to;
•    46 degrees 23 minutes North latitude, 56 degrees 29 minutes West longitude to;
•    46 degrees 14 minutes North latitude, 56 degrees 29 minutes West longitude to;
•    46 degrees 14.0 minutes North latitude, 57 degrees 28 minutes West longitude to;
•    46 degrees 30.0 minutes North latitude, 57 degrees 28 minutes West longitude.

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

Fish harvesters are reminded that they must have at-sea observer coverage services arranged before commencing fishing.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-044 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-046 will come into force on May 3, 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