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Notice to Fish Harvesters - Soft-Shell Closed Areas for Crab and Shrimp in NAFO Divisions 2J and 3K - nf.25.153

June 30, 2025

FISHERIES AND OCEANS CANADA

NOTICE TO FISH HARVESTERS

nf.25.153B

2025-101

Jun. 30, 2025

Soft-Shell Closed Areas for Crab and Shrimp in NAFO Divisions 2J and 3K

DFO advises that in accordance with the soft-shell protocol, the following grid in Crab Fishing Areas 2J South and Area 4 in NAFO Divisions 2J south and 3K will close to fishing for both Snow Crab and Northern Shrimp at midnight on July 3, 2025 due to a high incidence of soft-shell crab:

Grid S 37

52° 20′ North, 54° 20′ West;

52° 20′ North, 54° 10′ West;

52° 10′ North, 54° 10′ West;

52° 10′ North, 54° 20′ West; and,

52° 20′ North, 54° 20′ West;

This grid will be closed to Snow crab fishing for the remainder of the year. Harvesters should note that all gear in these grids must be hauled and removed immediately, resetting of gear is not permitted.

The closure for Northern shrimp is in effect for 60 days, and will re-open on August 31, 2025, if the shrimp fishery is open at that time.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2025-093 and 2025-096 have been revoked, and Variation Orders 2025-101 and 2025-102 come into effect on July 01, 2025.

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

If you would like to have all “Notices to Fish Harvesters” or “Notices to the Public” sent directly to you by email, please contact Miranda.Pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

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For information, contact:
Martin Henri
Senior Resource Manager
Resource Management and Indigenous Fisheries
Tel: (709) 693-4744
Email: martin.henri@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Dr. Erin Carruthers

Dr. Erin Carruthers is the Science Director and Senior Fisheries Scientist with the Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union (FFAW-Unifor), which is the labour union that represents the owner-operator fleet in Newfoundland and Labrador. The FFAW is committed to research and management that supports healthy oceans, fisheries, and coastal communities. Dr. Carruthers received her Ph. D. in Biology from Memorial University in 2011 followed by a postdoctoral fellowship with the Centre for Fisheries Ecosystems Research. Before coming to Newfoundland, Erin worked as a Research Biologist with Fisheries and Oceans Canada at the St. Andrews Biological Station. Her current research program is co-constructed with fish harvesters and includes research on coastal fishing communities, collaborative longline and trap surveys, and best practices for the avoidance, handling and release of unwanted catch.