NOTICE TO FISH HARVESTERS

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:

Week 1:
Monday, January 30, 2023 – New Wes Valley, Lions Club: 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Tuesday, January 31, 2023 – Fogo, Anglican Church Hall (Centre Island): 10:30am – 12:30 pm
Wednesday, February 1, 2023 – Twillingate, Lions Club: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Wednesday, February 1, 2023 – Baie Verte, College of the North Atlantic: 6:00 – 8:00 pm

Week 2:
Monday, February 6, 2023 – Bonavista, Fire Hall: 2:00 – 4:00 pm
Tuesday, February 7, 2023 – Petty Harbour, Community Center: 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Wednesday, February 8, 2023 – Old Perlican, Community Center: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Wednesday, February 8, 2023 – Riverhead, Royal Canadian Legion: 3:00 – 5:00 pm
Thursday, February 9, 2023 – Ferryland, Southern Shore Folk Arts Council: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Week 3:
Tuesday, February 14, 2023 – St. Anthony, Lions Club: 3:00 – 5:00 pm
Wednesday, February 15, 2023 – Roddickton-Bide Arm, Cross Country Centre: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Please note that there will be Virtual Meetings scheduled at a later date for those unable to attend in-person meetings.

"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: danielle.nichols@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
 

Fisheries and Oceans Canada advises that the Herring fishery in Placentia Bay, Herring Fishing Area 10 for mobile gear vessels less than 55 feet in length will close at 1800hrs on January 20, 2023.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2023-003 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-005 comes into effect at 1800 hours on January 20, 2023.

"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: Danielle.Nichols@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO advises that the herring fishery for vessels using fixed gear in Fortune Bay, Herring Fishing Area 11, east of Pass Island, will open at 0600 hours on January 19, 2023.

Fish harvesters are advised that dockside monitoring is a requirement in this fishery.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2023-002 have been revoked and Variation Order 2023-004 will come into effect on January 18, 2023.

"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: Danielle.Nichols@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO would like to advise harvesters that the fixed gear herring fishery for NAFO Sub division 3Ps Herring Fishing Areas 10 (Placentia Bay) will open at 0600 hours on January 18, 2023.

DFO reminds fish harvesters to complete all applicable fishing logs.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2023-002 have been revoked and Variation Order 2023-004 will come into effect on January 18, 2023.

"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: Danielle.Nichols@dfo.mpo.gc.ca

DFO wishes to advise Crab Harvesters that Area Selection Applications are available for the following inshore Crab Fishing Areas 5A, 6A, and 6B. Harvesters can obtain an application by contacting the area licencing center or detachment office by phone or e-mail.

Applications can also be requested from the National Online Licencing System (NOLS).

Please note: Area Selection Applications only need to be completed if you are looking to move areas. If you do not fill out the form you will remain in the area you were licensed for in 2022. Applications must be received by close of business day on February 24, 2023.

Applications can be returned to the following address:
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Client Services Centre – Eastern & Central
Attn: Terri Healey
PO Box 5667
St. John's, NL A1C 5X1
E-mail: Terri.Healey@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
FAX # 709-772-5634

"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: Danielle.Nichols@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
 

In consultation with industry representatives, the Department has implemented a pilot small fish protocol for the 4R Herring fishery in Areas 13 and 14, varying the percentage of minimum length.  Please be advised that the small fish protocol will be implemented for the >65' and <65' purse Seine Fleets only at this time. 

All licence holders must review their new conditions to determine minimum size and percentage for their fleet. 

This measure is effective as of 1500 hours on January 11, 2023.

DFO advises harvesters that the mobile gear (purse seine) and fixed gear (gillnet, trap and tuck seine) herring fisheries in Herring Fishing Area 5 (Bonavista Bay) in NAFO Division 3L will close at 1800 hours on Friday, January 6, 2023 for conservation reasons.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2022-260 and 2023-001 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2023-002 and 2023-003 will come into effect at 1800 hours on January 6, 2023.

"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

DFO advises harvesters that the fixed gear Herring fishery for barr/tuck seine in Herring Fishing Area 6 (Trinity Bay) in NAFO Division 3L will close at 1800 hours on Friday, January 6, 2023.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2022-260 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-002 comes into effect at 1800 hours on January 6, 2023.

"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

DFO advises that the mobile gear herring (purse seine) fishery for Herring Fishing Area 6 (Trinity Bay) in NAFO Division 3L will close at 1400 hours on Tuesday, January 3, 2023.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2022-261 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-001 comes into effect at 1400 hours on January 3, 2023.

"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

DFO advises fish harvesters that fishing licences for 2023 may not be available until after the first few weeks of January 2023. Those fish harvesters who wish to fish during the first weeks of January 2023 must first have their 2022 fishing licences amended by a DFO Fishery Officer or a Licensing Officer to extend their licence into 2023. 

Fish harvesters are advised that before the start of any fishing trip in 2023, they are to place a request in NOLS (National Online Licensing System), with a copy of their 2022 Licence Document attached for a Licensing Officer to amend the licence end date. This will allow harvesters to continue fishing while they are awaiting their 2023 licence through the National Online Licensing System (NOLS).