NOTICE TO FISH HARVESTERS

DFO wishes to advise Newfoundland and Labrador sealers that the 2022/23 seal harvest will remain open until further notice.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region, gives notice that Variation Order 2022-020 has been revoked and Variation Order 2022-235 comes into effect at 2359 hours on December 31.

"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

Fisheries and Oceans Canada will be holding Lobster advisory meetings to allow Lobster harvesters an opportunity to discuss management measures for the 2023-2025 Lobster seasons. The advisories will take place in January, as listed below.

NAFO Divisions 4R3Pn

Corner Brook, Greenwood Inn & Suites, Monday, January 9, 2023 at 12 p.m. (noon) 

NAFO Divisions 3K

Grand Falls, Mount Peyton Hotel, Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at 9:00 A.M.

NAFO Division 3Ps

Clarenville, Quality Hotel, Thursday, January 12, 2023 at 10:00 A.M.

NAFO Divisions 3L

Clarenville, Quality Hotel, Friday, January 13, 2023 at 9:00 A.M.

In consultation with industry representatives, the Department will be implementing a pilot small fish protocol for the 4R Herring fishery. Please be advised that the small fish protocol will be implemented for the >65' purse Seine Fleet only at this time.  

The Regional Director-General, Newfoundland and Labrador Region, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, hereby revokes the Newfoundland and Labrador Region Percentage of Minimum Length Variation Order 2022-045, issued on May 3, 2022 and issues annexed Orders 2022-258 and 2022-259, varying the percentage of minimum length for herring in Herring Fishing Areas 12, as well as Herring Fishing Areas 13 and 14. All licence holders must review their new conditions to determine minimum size and percentage for their fleet.

This measure is effective as of 1600 hours December 23, 2022. New conditions are available through the National Online Licencing System and are required for all 4R Herring fish harvesters.

DFO advises that the directed Atlantic Halibut fishery in NAFO Sub-Division 3Ps will close for fixed gear vessels less than 65 feet using longlines at 2000 hours on Saturday, December 24, 2022.  DFO also advises that as of 2000 hours on Saturday, December 24, 2022, the retention of Atlantic halibut by-catch in NAFO Sub-Division 3Ps will not be permitted for fixed gear vessels less than 65 feet.

Fish harvesters are reminded to return their Inshore Fixed Gear Logbooks after the conclusion of fishing operations as per conditions of license.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2022-255 has been revoked and Variation Order 2022-262 comes into effect on December 24, 2022.

"Notices to Fish Harvesters" for all commercial fisheries are 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 reminds harvesters that herring fisheries in Herring Fishing Areas (HFAs) 1 and 2 for mobile gear, Herring Fishing Area (HFA) 3 for fixed gear barr and tuck seine and Herring Fishing Area (HFA) 14 for all fixed gear (trap, gillnet, barr and tuck seine) are closed.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2022-231 and 2022-237 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2022-260 and 2022-261 come into effect at 2359 hours on December 31, 2022.

"Notices to Fish Harvesters" for all commercial fisheries are 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 reminds harvesters that herring fisheries in Herring Fishing Areas (HFAs) 1 and 2 for mobile gear, Herring Fishing Area (HFA) 3 for fixed gear barr and tuck seine and Herring Fishing Area (HFA) 14 for all fixed gear (trap, gillnet, barr and tuck seine) are closed.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2022-231 and 2022-237 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2022-260 and 2022-261 come into effect at 2359 hours on December 31, 2022.

"Notices to Fish Harvesters" for all commercial fisheries are 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 reminds harvesters that the following Groundfish fisheries are closed for the Newfoundland and Labrador-based fleets for all vessel classes: 

 NAFO Area 2 + Divisions 3KLMNO and 4R Greenland halibut (turbot) inshore fixed gear fisheries

 NAFO Divisions 3NO, 4RST, and Sub-Division 3Pn inshore fixed gear Atlantic halibut commercial fisheries 

 NAFO 3NO White hake, Skate and Monkfish inshore fleet fisheries 

 Stewardship cod fishery in NAFO Divisions 2J3KL

 Lumpfish fishery in all NAFO areas in Newfoundland and Labrador Region

 NAFO Divisions 3KL Winter flounder (Blackback) fishery

 NAFO Division 4R Witch flounder fishery

 Unit 1 Redfish index fishery for the inshore mobile gear fleet 

 3Pn portion of the Unit 2 Redfish fishery for mobile-gear fleets

 Unit 2 Redfish fishery for the mobile-gear fleet based in NAFO Division 4R and Sub-Division 3Pn

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2022-061, 2022-177, 2022-202, 2022-220, 2022-229, 2022-232, 2022-238 and 2022-239 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2022-242, 2022-243, 2022-249, 2022-251, 2022-252, 2022-253, 2022-254 and 2022-255 will come into effect at 2359 hours on December 31, 2022.

'Notices to Fish Harvesters' for all commercial fisheries are available online on the DFO NL region webpage: 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 Bluefin Tuna fishery in NAFO Divisions 3KLNOP for all vessels will close at 2359 hours on December 31, 2022.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2022-225 has been revoked and Variation Order 2022-257 comes into effect at 2359 hours on December 31, 2022.

"Notices to Fish Harvesters" for all commercial fisheries are 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 Bluefin Tuna will close to vessels with a fishing port in Quebec at 2359 hours EDT on December 31, 2022.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2022-225 has been revoked and Variation Order 2022-257 comes into effect at 2359 hours on December 31, 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

DFO advises that the Squid, Whelk and Toad Crab fisheries in Fishing Areas 1 to 14, NAFO Divisions 2GHJ, 3KL, 3Ps, and 4R, as well as the 3Ps Sea Cucumber will close on Saturday, December 31, 2022 at 2359 hours.

The Scallop fishery will also be closing on December 31, with the exception of the portion of Scallop Fishing Area 10 (Placentia Bay), inside a line drawn from Point Verde (47°14.33'N, 54°00.94'W) on the east side of the bay, to Red Harbour Head (47°16.59'N, 54°58.58'W) on the west side, which will remain open until March 31, 2023. This is in line with the management measures for this fishery.

DFO also reminds harvesters that the Snow crab fishery and lobster fishery are closed for all fishing areas.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2022-093, 2022-105, 2022-144, 2022-146 and 2022-233 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2022-246, 2022-247, 2022-248, 2022-250 and 2022-256 comes into effect at 2359 hours on December 31, 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