Notice to Fish Harvesters - Soft-Shell Closed Areas for Crab and Shrimp in NAFO Division 3K - nf.26.113
May 19, 2026
FISHERIES AND OCEANS CANADA
NOTICE TO FISH HARVESTERS
nf.26.113B
May. 19, 2026
Soft-Shell Closed Areas for Crab and Shrimp in NAFO Division 3K
DFO advises that in accordance with the soft-shell protocol, the following grids in Crab Fishing Area 4 in NAFO Division 3K will close to fishing Snow Crab and Northern Shrimp at midnight on May 22, 2026 due to a high incidence of soft-shell crab:
Grid AA 38
Grid AB 38
These grids will be closed to Snow crab fishing for the remainder of the year. Harvesters should note that all gear in these grids must be removed immediately. Gear must be hauled and not reset on your next fishing trip.
The closure for Northern shrimp is in effect for 60 days, and will re-open on July 22, 2026, if the shrimp fishery is open at that time.
Grid quadrant AA 38 is defined as the area bounded by the following coordinates:
51° 00′ North, 54° 10′ West;
51° 00′ North, 54° 00′ West;
50° 50′ North, 54° 00′ West;
50° 50′ North, 54° 10′ West;
51° 00′ North, 54° 10′ West;
Grid quadrant AB 38 is defined as the area bounded by the following coordinates:
50° 50′ North, 54° 10′ West;
50° 50′ North, 54° 00′ West;
50° 40′ North, 54° 00′ West;
50° 40′ North, 54° 10′ West;
50° 50′ North, 54° 10′ West;
Notices to Fish Harvesters for all commercial fisheries are available online in the Fishery Notices section of the DFO Newfoundland and Labrador Region webpage at Newfoundland and Labrador Region.
If you would like to have all Notices to Fish Harvesters for commercial fisheries sent to you directly by email, please contact: NLPRI@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
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For information, contact:
Terri Healey
Resource Manager
Tel.: (709)685-3998
E-mail: Terri.Healey@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Martin Henri
Senior Resource Manager
Resource Management and Indigenous Fisheries
Tel: (709) 693-4744
Email : martin.henri@dfo-mpo.gc.ca