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2022 Newfoundland and Labrador recreational Groundfish fishery

In 2022, the recreational groundfish fishery will be open for a total of 39 days. For the 2022 season, there is no requirement for licences or tags.

Species and area

The recreational groundfish fishery will occur in all NAFO areas/subareas around Newfoundland and Labrador, which includes 2GH, 2J3KL, 3Ps, 3Pn and 4R. Three exceptions are the Eastport, Gilbert Bay and Laurentian Channel Marine Protected Areas (MPA) where recreational groundfish fishing will not be permitted.

Season dates:

Summer season:

Saturday, July 02, 2022 to Monday, July 04, 2022
Saturday, July 09, 2022 to Monday, July 11, 2022
Saturday, July 16, 2022 to Monday, July 18, 2022
Saturday, July 23, 2022 to Monday, July 25, 2022
Saturday, July 30, 2022 to Monday, August 01, 2022
Saturday, August 06, 2022 to Monday, August 08, 2022
Saturday, August 13, 2022 to Monday, August 15, 2022
Saturday, August 20, 2022 to Monday, August 22, 2022
Saturday, August 27, 2022 to Monday, August 29, 2022
Saturday, September 03, 2022 to Monday, September 05, 2022

Fall season:

Saturday, September 24, 2022 to Sunday, October 02, 2022

Retention limits

Recreational fishers are limited to five groundfish per day (including cod).

Management measures and regulations

The recreational fishery is open to both residents and non-residents.

The maximum boat limit when three or more people are fishing is 15 groundfish.

For 2022, tour boat operators will be eligible to apply for a licence to seek an increased trip limit. This licence will have harvest reporting requirements.

Retention of Atlantic halibut, Spotted and Northern wolffish, and any species of shark is prohibited. Sculpins and cunners may be released. All other groundfish caught must be retained and are part of the daily bag limit of 5 groundfish.

High-grading of groundfish is not permitted and no fish are permitted to be wasted.

All fish caught must be retained in a readily identifiable state. Fish may be bled, gutted, and split while at sea, but further processing such as, skinning, cutting into sections, packing or otherwise at sea is not permitted, as such further processing practices make determinations of species, number and size of the fish problematic.

Only angling gear and handlines with a maximum of three hooks are permitted. Handlines include artificial lures, baited hooks and feathered hooks. Artificial lures with treble hooks weighing less than five ounces or 142 grams are acceptable. Traditional jiggers are not permitted unless they are modified and have only one single hook.

Provisions will continue that allow a person with a disability to designate a person to catch their daily limit of groundfish will continue. Applicants can access the designation for persons with a disability form. First time applicants are required to download, complete and have their doctor/ophthalmologist complete a section of the form. However, individuals who are looking to renew can complete the form electronically by saving it and sending via email or clicking submit at the bottom of the form during which time an email will be generated for the applicant. Applicants are encouraged to submit their application electronically, via email. Applications received via regular mail may result in delays to processing your application.

For safety reasons, fishing is only permitted from one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset.

The public is reminded to follow safe boating practices and be aware of local weather and sea conditions before leaving port.

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