Shellfish

DFO advises that Lobster Fishing Area 12 will open at 0600 hours on April 15, 2023 and close at 2000 hours on June 24, 2023.

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General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2022-247 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-031 comes into effect on April 15, 2023.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 of the following opening and closing dates for the following Lobster Fishing Areas:

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

- LFA 10: Placentia Bay: April 29, 2023, to June 30, 2023.

- LFA 11 East (East of Western Head, Hare Bay): April 15, 2023, to June 18, 2023.

- LFA 11 West (West of Western Head, Hare Bay): April 29, 2023, to July 2, 2023.

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; as well LFA 10 conditions prohibit gear retrieval between 2100 hours (9 p.m.) on Saturday and 0500 hours (5 a.m.) on Monday.

Harvesters are also reminded they are permitted to harvest bait for the lobster fishery as per the conditions of their bait licence.

Harvesters in LFA 11 are reminded that the portion of Lobster Fishing Area 11 (Penguin Islands) bounded by lines connecting the following points remains closed:

Point North Latitude West Longitude
1. 47° 22' 01.8" N 57° 01' 01.0" W
2. 47° 23' 48.6" N 57° 01' 01.0" W
3. 47° 23' 53.2" N 57° 56' 54.5" W
4. 47° 22' 01.8" N 57° 56' 54.5" W

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2022-247 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023- 031 comes into effect on April 15, 2023.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

Fisheries and Oceans Canada advises that the details of the management measures for the Lobster fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador for the 2023-2025 seasons are now available at:

Fisheries Management Decisions for Atlantic Canada, Quebec and the Arctic - 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 inshore Shrimp fishery in Shrimp Fishing Area (SFA) 6 for vessels less than 100 feet, based in NAFO Divisions 2J, 3K, 3L, and 4R will open at 6:00 AM on Monday April 17, 2023.

Licence fees and licence conditions will soon be available in the National Online Licencing System (NOLS).

"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 Shrimp fishery in the Gulf of St. Lawrence (SFA 8) for the Western NL fleet will open at 6:00 AM on Monday April 17, 2023.

Licence fees and licence conditions will soon be available in the National Online Licencing System (NOLS).

"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 Snow Crab fishery in 3K will open on the following dates:

Crab Management Area 4 will open at 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday April 11, 2023 for the purpose of travelling to the fishing ground. 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 6:00AM on Friday April 14, 2023 is prohibited.

Crab Management Areas 3A and 3D will open at 12:00 am (midnight) on Friday April 14, 2023 for the purpose of travelling to the fishing ground. 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 Friday April 14, 2023 is prohibited.

Crab Management Area 3BC will open at 6:00 am on Saturday, April 22, 2023 for the purpose of travelling to the fishing ground. Fish harvesters are reminded that they are not authorized to set Crab traps until 24 hours after the Snow Crab fishery season has opened. Therefore, any setting of Crab traps or possession of Crab before 6:00 am on Sunday April 23, 2023 is prohibited.

Crab Management Areas 3B and 3C will open at 12:00 am (midnight) on Sunday April 23, 2023 for the purpose of travelling to the fishing ground. 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 Sunday April 23, 2023 is prohibited.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2022-248 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-024 comes into effect on April 7, 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

Fisheries and Oceans Canada advises that the Snow Crab fishery will open at 12:00 am (midnight) on Monday, April 10, 2023 for the purpose of travelling to the fishing ground, and gear can be set 6 hours later at 6:00 am on Monday, April 10, 2023 for the following areas:

- Outside of 8 mile

- Bay of Islands

- Bay St. George

- 12A

- 12B

- 12C

- 12D

- 12E

- 12F

- 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 Monday, April 10, 2023 is prohibited.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2022-248 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-024 comes into effect on April 7, 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

Fisheries and Oceans Canada advises that the Snow Crab fishery will open at 12:00 am (midnight) on Monday, April 10, 2023 for the purpose of travelling to the fishing ground, and gear can be set 6 hours later at 6:00 am on Monday, April 10, 2023 for the following areas:

- Inshore Crab fishing areas in 3L

- Inshore Crab fishing areas in 3Ps

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 10, 2023 is prohibited.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2022-248 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-024 comes into effect on April 7, 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

Fisheries and Oceans Canada advises that the Snow Crab fishery will open at 6:00 a.m. on Friday April 7, 2023 for the purpose of travelling to the fishing ground for the following:

- 3L Small Supps, 3L Large Supps, 3L Fulltime and 3L Greater than 65’ fleets

- 3Ps Supplementary fleet

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 6:00AM on Monday April 10, 2023 is prohibited.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2022-248 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-024 comes into effect on April 7, 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 wishes to advise lobster harvesters that a declaration is required for Lobster Fishing Area (LFA) 11W for the 2023 season.

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 making a request through the National Online Licensing System (NOLS).

Declarations must be received by close of business day Wednesday, April 12, 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