Shellfish

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 11 East (East of Western Head, Hare Bay): April 16, 2022 to June 18, 2022;

- LFA 11 West (West of Western Head, Hare Bay): April 30, 2022 to July 2, 2022;

- LFA 10:Placentia Bay: April 30, 2022 to July 9, 2022;

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General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2022-028 has been revoked and Variation Order 2022-031 comes into effect on April 15, 2022.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 Lobster Fishing Area 12 will open at 0600 hours on April 16, 2022 and close at 2000 hours on June 25, 2022.

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.

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

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2021-301 has been revoked and Variation Order 2022-028 comes into effect on April 14, 2022.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 fish harvesters that the Snow crab fishery in Crab Fishing Areas 12D will close at 2000 hours on Wednesday, April 13, 2022.

All gear must be removed from the water by closing time.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2022-024 has been revoked and Variation Order 2022-026 comes into effect on April 12, 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 fish harvesters in Crab Fishing Area 11 East that landings are currently being assessed and over 70% of the quota has been landed to date. As the harvesting amount is approaching the maximum allowable catch for this area, a short notice for closure may be possible.

"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 in 3K will open the following dates:

Crab Management Area 4 will open at 6:00 a.m. on Monday April 11, 2022 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 Thursday, April 14 is prohibited.

Crab Management Area 3D will open at 12:00 am (midnight) on Thursday, April 14, 2022 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 Monday April 14, 2022 is prohibited.

Crab Management Area 3A will open at 12:00 am (midnight) on Monday, April 18, 2022 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 Monday April 18, 2022 is prohibited.

Crab Management Areas 3B, 3C and 3BC will open at 12:00 am (midnight) on Sunday, April 24, 2022 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 24, 2022 is prohibited.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2022-019 has been revoked and Variation Order 2022-024 comes into effect on April 9, 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

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 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.

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

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:

- 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 4, 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

Fisheries and Oceans Canada advises that the Snow Crab fishery will open at 6:00 a.m. on Friday, April 1, 2022 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 4, 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