The commercial cod fishery on the North East coast of the province opens this Sunday, Aug. 26.
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans says commercial fish harvesters can begin fishing at 6 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 26.
The fishery closes at 8 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 15.
This fishery is open to commercial fishers in fishing zones 2J, 3K an 3L, which encompasses the Labrador Coast, as well as White Bay, Bonavista Bay, Trinity Bay, Conception Bay and the Southern Shore (from Cape St. Francis to Cape Race).
Due to conservation concerns related to Gilbert Bay Cod, a portion of 2J adjacent to the Gilbert Bay MPA inside a line from Salmon Point to Spear Point will remain closed until 6 am on Friday, Sept. 7.
Licence conditions are available at DFO Licencing Centers. Fish harvesters must renew their groundfish licence and pay a cod individual quota (IQ) fee and arrange at-sea observer coverage services prior to fishing. Fish harvesters are reminded to fish within their homeport area, as outlined inlicence conditions.
Fishers are also obligated to compete and return logbooks to DFO at the end of the fishery.
