DFO advises Newfoundland and Labrador Seal harvesters based in Sealing Areas 4 to 8, that the fishery for Seals will re-open in Sealing Areas 4 to 8 and 12, at 0600 hours on Tuesday, April 11, 2017.

This fishery will open for Front Longliners, Areas 5 to 8 Small Boats and Speed Boats, all Area 4 vessels, and Personal Use. This includes License Classes N100 to N106, N300 to N302, and N400. Full details below:


Harp and Hooded Seal Fishery Opening – 2017 Season – pn.17.019

FISHERIES AND OCEANS CANADA

PUBLIC NOTICE

pn.17.019B

2017-023

Apr. 7, 2017

Harp and Hooded Seal Fishery Opening – 2017 Season

DFO advises Newfoundland and Labrador Seal harvesters based in Sealing Areas 4 to 8, that the fishery for Seals will re-open in Sealing Areas 4 to 8 and 12, at 0600 hours on Tuesday, April 11, 2017.

This fishery will open for Front Longliners, Areas 5 to 8 Small Boats and Speed Boats, all Area 4 vessels, and Personal Use. This includes License Classes N100 to N106, N300 to N302, and N400.

DFO further advises Newfoundland and Labrador Seal harvesters based in the Gulf of St. Lawrence that the fishery for Seals will re-open in the Gulf, in Sealing Areas 9 to 23, and 25 to 27, at 0600 hours on Tuesday April 11, 2017. The fishery will open for Gulf Longliners, Gulf Small Boats, Gulf Speed Boats, and Personal Use. This includes License Classes N200 to N204, and 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 Tuesday, April 11, 2017.

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.

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

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

Sealers are reminded that licences and licence conditions are available through DFO’s National Online Licencing System.

Finally, DFO reminds all Commercial Sealers that Humane Harvesting Training on the three-step process is mandatory for all Commercial Seal licence holders prior to participating in the 2017 season, and in any future Sealing seasons.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region, gives notice that Variation Orders 2017-017 has been revoked and Variation Order 2017-023 comes into effect on April 8, 2017.

Notices to Fish Harvesters” for all commercial fisheries are now available online under the Fishery Notices link on the DFO NL Region webpage at http://www.nfl.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/e0004341

If you would like to have all “Notices to Fish Harvesters” for commercial fisheries sent directly to you by email please contact : Paul.Shea@dfo-mpo.gc.ca


For information, contact:
Julie Diamond
Resource Management
Tel. (709) 772-0695
E-mail: Julie.diamond@dfo-mpo.gc.ca