PUBLIC NOTICES

DFO reminds the Public that the Newfoundland and Labrador Recreational Groundfish fishery is closed for the 2024 season.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2024-089 and 2024-090 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2024-314 and 2024-315 come into effect at 2359 hours on December 31, 2024.

"Notices to Public" 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 Public” sent directly to you by email please contact: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca 

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) advises the public of the re-opening for the 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, (except sea scallops), northern moon snails, waved whelks, and Stimpson's whelks for recreational or commercial purposes, if open and authorized to fish, in the following areas effective 1600 hours on December 12, 2024:

Those coastal waters from Davis Point (at Lat 48.27304 Long -53.41197), northwest to Cape Freels at (Lat 49.25544 Long -53.46442).

More detailed information on these closed areas can be obtained from the nearest DFO office or the following website:  CheckBeforeYouHarvest

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Prohibition Order NSN-2024-004 has been repealed effective 1400 hours on December 12, 2024.

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 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, (except sea scallops), northern moon snails, waved whelks, and Stimpson's whelks for recreational or commercial purposes, if open and authorized to fish, in the following areas effective 1600 hours on December 9, 2024:

From Grey River Point (at Lat 47.57206, Long -57.11779), to a point near Dry Ridge (at Lat 46.79148, Long -53.65891).

More detailed information on these closed areas can be obtained from the nearest DFO office or the following website:  CheckBeforeYouHarvest

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Prohibition Order NSN-2024-003 has been repealed effective 1600 hours on December 9, 2024.

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, 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, (except sea scallops), northern moon snails, waved whelks, and Stimpson's whelks for recreational or commercial purposes in the following areas effective 1200 hours on November 22, 2024:

Those coastal waters from Davis Point (at Lat 48.27304 Long -53.41197), northwest to Cape Freels at (Lat 49.25544 Long -53.46442).

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-2024-004 comes into effect at 1200 hours on November 22, 2024.

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 remind that in-person 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 meeting schedule is as follows:

Wednesday, November 20, 2024 - Twillingate, Lions Club: 10:00am-12:00pm

Wednesday, November 20, 2024 - La Scie, La Scie Recreation Center: 6:00-8:00pm

Monday, December 9, 2024 - Greenspond, Town of Greenspond: 3:00-5:00pm

Tuesday, December 10, 2024 - Fogo, Anglican Church Hall (Centre Island): 10:00am-12:00pm

A meeting for St. Anthony and Roddickton Areas will be scheduled at a later date.

"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

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans would like to advise that in-person 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 meeting schedule is as follows:

Tuesday, November 12, 2024 – Bonavista, Fire Hall: 6:00–8:00pm
Wednesday, November 13, 2024 – Winterton, Recreation Department: 10:00am–12:00pm
Wednesday, November 13, 2024 - Carbonear, Seniors Building: 3:00-5:00pm
Thursday, November 14, 2024 – Riverhead, Royal Canadian Legion : 10:00am-12:00pm
Thursday, November 14, 2024 – Petty Harbour, Petty Harbour CO-OP: 6:00–8:00pm
Wednesday, November 20, 2024 - Twillingate, Lions Club: 10:00am-12:00pm
Wednesday, November 20, 2024 - La Scie, La Scie Recreation Center: 6:00-8:00pm
Monday, December 9, 2024 - Greenspond, Town of Greenspond: 3:00-5:00pm
Tuesday, December 10, 2024 - Fogo, Anglican Church Hall (Centre Island): 10:00am-12:00pm

A meeting for St. Anthony and Roddickton Areas will be scheduled at a later date.

"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 closure for the harvesting of all bivalve shellfish including Arctic wedge clams, 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, (except sea scallops), northern moon snails, waved whelks, and Stimpson's whelks for recreational or commercial purposes in the following areas effective 1800 hours on October 28, 2024:

From Grey River Point (at Lat 47.57206, Long -57.11779), to a point near Dry Ridge (at Lat 46.79148, Long -53.65891).

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-2024-003 comes into effect at 1800 hours on October 28, 2024.

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)

DFO advises that the 2J3KL Northern cod fishery will open for 2J-based inshore fixed-gear harvesters to fish in NAFO Division 2J on Sunday, July 21, 2024 at 0600 hours for vessel class A292, and scheduled to close at 2359 hours on Saturday October 12, 2024.

The base bi-weekly authorized catch limits for 2J-based inshore fixed-gear harvesters in 2024 are:

- July 21 - August 31: 35,000 lbs. base bi-weekly

- September 1 - October 12: 45,000 lbs. base bi-weekly

Consultations are ongoing with industry for other fleets, and season dates and catch limits will be communicated when finalized.

Fish Harvesters are advised that licence conditions will be available soon on the National Online Licensing System (NOLS).

For fish harvesters that have acquired additional cod shares through enterprise combining, adjusted catch limits will be identified in their licence conditions.

Should in-season adjustments to catch limits or seasons be required, industry will be consulted and updates will be communicated to harvesters via a Notice to Fishers.

Additional notes for 2024:

When landing in ports outside the Newfoundland and Labrador Region you must submit an end of trip summary by email to robyn.morris@dfo-mpo.gc.ca as per your condition of licence.

Prior to submitting your 2024 groundfish logbook you must make and maintain a copy of each fishing trip, which must be available for inspection upon request of a Fishery Officer.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2023-305 has been revoked and Variation Order 2024-151 comes into effect on July 18, 2024.

"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 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 Friday, June 21, 2024 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: Check Before you Harvest

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Prohibition Order NSN-2024-002 comes into effect 1800hrs Friday, June 21, 2024. 

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

DFO advises that in 2024, the recreational groundfish fishery will be open for a total of 39 days.

For the 2024 season, there is no requirement for a licence 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, June 29, 2024 to Monday, July 01, 2024
Saturday, July 06, 2024 to Monday, July 08, 2024
Saturday, July 13, 2024 to Monday, July 15, 2024
Saturday, July 20, 2024 to Monday, July 22, 2024
Saturday, July 27, 2024 to Monday, July 29, 2024
Saturday, August 03, 2024 to Monday, August 05, 2024
Saturday, August 10, 2024 to Monday, August 12, 2024
Saturday, August 17, 2024 to Monday, August 19, 2024
Saturday, August 24, 2024 to Monday, August 26, 2024
Saturday, August 31, 2024 to Monday, September 02, 2024

Fall Season:

Saturday, September 21, 2024 to Sunday, September 29, 2024

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 2024, tour boat operators will be eligible to apply for a licence to seek an increased trip limit. This licence will have harvest reporting requirements. To apply for this license, 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 is available online at Fisheries Management Decisions for Atlantic Canada, Quebec and the Arctic - 2024

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2023-308 and 2023-309 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2024-089 and 2024-090 come into effect on June 22, 2024.

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