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 Tuesday, April 9, 2019.

This 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 Tuesday, April 9, 2019.

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.

DFO Science has tagged twelve harp seal beaters in the Gulf with satellite linked time-depth recorders to track movement of young harp seals and determine how they respond to climate change. The department is seeking your cooperation by asking sealers not to harvest these tagged seals. The tag is clearly visible and humanely fixed on the top of the seal’s shoulders with an antenna extending over the head. If you see a tagged seal, please provide the location of the seal by contacting Garry Stenson at garry.stenson@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

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General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2019-009 has been revoked and Variation Order 2019-024 comes into effect on April 4, 2019.

“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 : janet.warren@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

For information, contact:

Jackie Kean

Resource Manager

Tel. (709) 772-2045

E-mail: jackie.kean@dfo-mpo.gc.ca