NOTICE TO FISH HARVESTERS

2022-23 Management Plan for 3Ps Groundfish and Iceland Scallop (Core Area)

DFO advises that details regarding the management plan for 3Ps Groundfish and Iceland Scallop (Core Area) for the 2022-23 management period are now available at: 3Ps Groundfish and Iceland Scallop (Core Area) Newfoundland and Labrador (2022-23)

"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: natasha.drover@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO advises that the fixed gear herring (gillnet/trap) fishery for White Bay and Notre Dame Bay (Herring Fishing Areas 3 & 4) will open at 0600 hours on Friday, April 8, 2022.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2022-021 has been revoked and Variation Order 2022-022 comes into effect on April 8, 2022.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

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) would like to remind harvesters that the reporting of lost gear is mandatory in all commercial fisheries as outlined in commercial fishing license conditions.

In July 2021 Fisheries and Oceans Canada launched an online Fishing Gear Reporting System. Fish harvesters can now easily access and submit the required lost or retrieved gear reporting forms simply and efficiently. This reporting helps the Department and other partners locate and remove lost gear from our waters and, in many cases, return the gear to its rightful owner. 

Access to the reporting system as well as PDF forms, if required, continue to be available at the commercial reporting website. Harvesters may report their lost and retrieved gear through either the reporting system or through ELOGS, if available. If you have questions or require assistance using the reporting system, please E-mail: DFO.LostandRetrievedGear-EnginsPerdusRecupere.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Commercial reporting website: Reporting requirements for commercial fisheries

New reporting system: Sign in

PDF versions, if required:

Lost fishing gear form: Lost fishing gear form

Retrieval of previously reported lost fishing gear form: Retrieval of previously reported lost fishing gear form

"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 would like to advise harvesters that the fixed gear herring fishery for NAFO Sub division 3Ps in Herring Fishing Areas 10 (Placentia Bay) and 11 (Fortune Bay) will open at 0600 hours on Wednesday April 6, 2022 for the following fleets:

• Barr Seine (tuck) in Fortune Bay, Herring Fishing Area 11, east of Pass Island; Fish harvesters are advised that dockside monitoring is a requirement in this fishery.
• Gillnets/traps in Fortune Bay, Herring Fishing Area 11, east of Pass Island; and
• Gillnets in Placentia Bay, Herring Fishing Area 10.

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 2022-017 has been revoked and Variation Order 2022-021 comes into effect on April 05, 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: Natasha.drover@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO advises that details regarding the management plan for Unit 1 redfish for the 2022-23 management period are now available at: Redfish unit 1 (2022)

Application details regarding the 2022-23 experimental fishery for Unit 1 redfish are available at:
Experimental Fishing Plan Unit 1 Redfish (2023 season)

"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 wishes to advise lobster harvesters that a declaration is required for Lobster Fishing Area (LFA) 11W. 

Please note a declaration is only required if you intend to fish in LFA 11W - that portion of Lobster Fishing Area 11 west of Western Head, Hare Bay. 

All LFA 11 harvesters that do not declare their intention to fish in LFA 11W will be issued a licence to fish in LFA 11E - which includes that portion of Lobster Fishing Area 11 located east of Western Head, Hare Bay. 

PLEASE NOTE: Declaration can be made by contacting Laurie Hawkins ((709) 637-4310; Laurie.Hawkins@dfo-mpo.gc.ca) or Jodi Riggs Power ((709) 279-7626; Jodi.Riggs-Power@dfo-mpo.gc.ca) either by phone or email. 

Declaration must be received by close of business day Monday, April 11, 2022.

DFO advises that the Atlantic halibut fishery in NAFO Division 4R for Quebec-based vessel class A125 will open at 0500 hours EDT on April 5, 2022 and close at 2359 hours EDT on April 26,2022.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2022-015 has been revoked and Variation Order 2022-018 comes into effect on April 2, 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: Natasha.drover@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO advises that the Atlantic halibut fishery in NAFO Division 4R for Quebec-based vessel class A949-A990 will open at 0500 hours EDT on April 7, 2022 and close at 2359 hours EDT on May 9,2022.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2022-015 has been revoked and Variation Order 2022-018 comes into effect on April 2, 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: Natasha.drover@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO advises Newfoundland and Labrador Seal harvesters that the seal fishery will re-open in Sealing Areas 4 to 23 and Sealing Areas 25 to 27 at 0600 hours on April 8, 2022.

The fishery will open for Front Longliners, Areas 5 to 8 Small Boats and Speed Boats, all Area 4 vessels and for Gulf Longliners, Gulf Small Boats, Gulf Speed Boats as well as Personal Use. This includes License Classes N100 to N106, N200 to N204, N300 to N302, and N400-N401.

DFO further advises Seal harvesters having a homeport located between Big Brook to Noddy Bay inclusive, operating from vessels less than 40 feet, License Classes N203 and N204, that a portion of Sealing Area 5 will also open for Seals at 0600 hours on April 8, 2022.

This "buffer zone" lies inside lines extending from:

The land at 51°18" North, 55° 36" West, to

51°18" North, 54°30" West, to

51°42" North, 54°30" West, to

51°42" North, 55°27" West, to

The land at 51° 30" North, 55 26" West.

Commercial Seal harvesters based in the Front will have access to the Gulf and commercial Seal harvesters based in the Gulf will have access to the Front.

Seal harvesters are advised to check with their buyers to confirm a market for their Seals before going Sealing.

Seal harvesters are reminded that licences and licence conditions are available through DFO's National Online Licencing System.

Additionally, all Commercial and Personal Use Sealers are reminded that landings must be hailed in daily, as per licence conditions.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2022-009 has been revoked and Variation Order 2022-020 is in effect as of April 2, 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

Fisheries and Oceans Canada advises that the Snow Crab fishery will open at 12:00 am (midnight) on Monday, April 4, 2022 for the purpose of travelling to the fishing ground, and gear can be set 6 hours later at 6:00 am on Monday, April 4, 2022 for the following areas:

• Outside of 8 mile
• Bay of Islands
• Bay St. George
• 12A
• 12B
• 12C
• 12D
• 12E
• 12F

Fish harvesters are reminded that they are not authorized to set Crab traps until 6 hours after the Snow Crab fishery season has opened. Therefore, any setting of Crab traps or possession of Crab before 6:00 am on Monday April 4, 2022 is prohibited.

The Snow Crab fishery will open at 12:00 am (midnight) on Monday, April 11, 2022 for the purpose of travelling to the fishing ground, and gear can be set 6 hours later at 6:00 am on Monday, April 11, 2022 for the following areas:

• 12G
• 12H

Fish harvesters are reminded that they are not authorized to set Crab traps until 6 hours after the Snow Crab fishery season has opened. Therefore, any setting of Crab traps or possession of Crab before 6:00 am on Monday April 11, 2022 is prohibited.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2021-304 has been revoked and Variation Order 2022-019 comes into effect on April 1, 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