Entries

DFO advises that scallop in fishing area 13 is open. Conditions of license identify specific dates, depth and areas within fishing area 13.

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.
 

DFO advises that the portion of Scallop Fishing Area 10 (Placentia Bay), inside a line drawn from Point Verde (47°14.33'N, 54°00.94'W) on the east side of the bay, to Red Harbour Head (47°16.59'N, 54°58.58'W) on the west side, will open to commercial scallop fishing September 1, 2026, at 0600 hours. 

DFO reminds harvesters that DMP and hail requirements are mandatory in this fishery. This is in line with the management measures for this fishery.

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.
 

DFO advises that the 2J3KL Northern cod fishery for the inshore mobile gear/otter trawl fleet (vessel class C175) will open on September 1, 2026 at 0600 hours and is scheduled to close April 14, 2027, or until the fleet allocation of 826 t is taken. 

Conditions of licence for the first period (valid to October 31, 2026) will be available soon through the National Online Licensing System (NOLS). 

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-094 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-158 comes into effect on August 28, 2026.

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.

DFO advises harvesters, that following a mid-August review, the base authorized catch limits (in round weight) for inshore fixed-gear harvesters for the fall inshore fixed-gear Northern cod fishing season, commencing September 13, 2026, will be as follows:

 -    2J-based harvesters and 2J equivalents: 75,000 lbs. base bi-weekly
-    3KL-based regular season harvesters and 3K equivalents: 10,000 lbs. base weekly
-    3KL-based fall-only option harvesters: 75,000 lbs base bi-weekly

The online Conservation Harvesting Plan will be updated accordingly. A mid-October review will determine whether changes will be made to catch and gear limits later in the fall season for 3KL-based regular, 3K equivalents and 3KL-based fall-only harvesters. Should adjustments to catch limits or seasons be required, updates will be communicated to harvesters via a Notice to Fishers. 

Licence conditions for the fall season will be available in advance of the fall season on the National Online Licensing System (NOLS). 

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
 

DFO advises that the fixed gear Greenland halibut (turbot) fishery in NAFO Divisions 3LMNO for vessels less than 65 feet will close on August 26, 2026 at 2000 hours.

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

Harvesters are also reminded that the retention of turbot is no longer permitted as incidental catch in the inshore fixed-gear Northern cod fishery.  All turbot caught as incidental catch must be returned to the water as per licence conditions.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2026-138 has been revoked and Variation Order 2026-157 comes into effect on August 25, 2026.

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.
 

DFO advises anglers that the following rivers will re-open to normal angling hours as of one hour before sunrise on August 25, 2026.

Salmon Fishing Area 14A
161. *Little Brook Ponds and tributary streams
162. Torrent River and tributary streams
163. *East River, Hawke’s Bay

*Indicates river has closed sections.

Any remaining closed rivers will reopen as conditions improve. Please refer to the Anglers' Guide 2026-2027 for further information on the environmental protocol.

For more information, please visit the In-Season River Status website.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2026-147, 2026-148, 2026-149, 2026-150, and 2026-151 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2026-152, 2026-153, 2026-154, 2026-155, and 2026-156 will come into effect at 1800 hours on August 24, 2026.

Notices to Anglers 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 all Notices to Anglers sent to you directly by email, please contact: NLPRI@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
 

DFO advises that as of Wednesday, August 19, landings from regular season 3KL-based inshore fixed-gear harvesters have reached approximately 20,730 t (80%) of the amount allocated for this summer period (25,802t).

The Department will continue to closely monitor this fishery to ensure that the total harvest for the 3KL-based regular period remains within the allocated amount.

Additional updates as required will be communicated in advance via a Notice to Fish Harvesters.

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.

DFO advises anglers that the following rivers will re-open to normal angling hours as of one hour before sunrise on August 21, 2026.

Salmon Fishing Area 12
125. Grandy’s River, including Top Pond Brook

Salmon Fishing Area 13
144. *Little Barachois Brook and tributary streams
145. *Southwest and Bottom Brooks and tributary streams
146. *Harry’s River, including Spruce Brook, Little George’s, Meadows Brook, Pinchgut River, Stagg Hill Brook and Gullpond Brook

Salmon Fishing Area 14A
154. *Lomond Main River (East Arm, Bonne Bay) including East Branch

*Indicates river has closed sections. 

Any remaining closed rivers will reopen as conditions improve. Please refer to the Anglers' Guide 2026-2027 for further information on the environmental protocol.

For more information, please visit the In-Season River Status website.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2026-141, 2026-142, 2026-143, 2026-144, and 2026-145 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2026-147, 2026-148, 2026-149, 2026-150, and 2026-151 will come into effect at 1800 hours on August 20, 2026.

Notices to Anglers 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 all Notices to Anglers sent to you directly by email, please contact: NLPRI@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
 

Fisheries and Oceans Canada will be pausing the Atlantic mackerel bait fishery in all Mackerel Fishing Areas as of 12:00 PM (Atlantic Daylight Time) on August 20, 2026. This notice to stop fishing is for conservation purposes as landings are nearing the second 466.67 tonne portion of the total allowable catch (TAC).  

For harvesters with a multi-species bait licence, please refer to your conditions of licence. 

The third opening for the 2026 mackerel bait fishery is planned for early October and will be communicated separately.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region, gives notice that Variation Order 2026-140 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-146 will come into force on August 20, 2026.
 

DFO advises anglers that due to improving water conditions, the following rivers in Salmon Fishing Area 10 will be restricted to morning angling only from the previous full closure, effective one hour after sunset on August 19, 2026.

During this period, angling is permitted from one hour before sunrise to 10:00 am each day and will be closed to angling from 10:01 am to one hour before sunrise on the following day.

Salmon Fishing Area 10
89. South East River (Placentia) and tributary streams
90. *Northeast River, Placentia

*Indicates river has closed sections (reference Anglers’ Guide 2026-2027)

The rivers will reopen as conditions improve. Please refer to the Anglers' Guide 2026-2027 for further information on the environmental protocol.

For more information, please visit the In-Season River Status website.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2026-133, 2026-134, 2026-135, 2026-136 and 2026-137 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2026-141, 2026-142, 2026-143, 2026-144, and 2026-145 will come into effect at 1800 hours on August 19, 2026.

Notices to Anglers 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 all Notices to Anglers sent to you directly by email, please contact: NLPRI@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.