DFO advises that the 3Ps cod fishery for the less than 65 foot fleets, will close to all vessels at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 17, 2009 in accordance with the conservation harvesting plan (CHP) for this fishery.

This applies to vessels based in 3Ps, 3Pn, Inner St. Mary's Bay, and Branch/Point Lance using fixed gear or mobile gear and includes vessel classes A250 to A279, C50, C150, C151, C175, C176, C351, and C360 to C600.

All gear must be removed from the water by closing time.

Fish harvesters based in 3Ps, 3Pn and Branch/Point Lance are advised that the cod fishery will re-open on Saturday, January 2, 2010. Fish harvesters are further reminded that they must renew their 2010 vessel registration and 2010 groundfish licence prior to commencing fishing.