Entries

REMINDER - SCALLOP FISHERY CLOSURE - PLACENTIA BAY

Notice Group Term
Species Term
Notice description

DFO advises fish harvesters 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 (47 16.59"N, 54 58.58"w) on the west side, Inner Bay, will close 2000 hours March 31, 2026 and will reopen 0600 hours September 1, 2026 in line with the management plan for that 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.

Issue Date
Notice Number
nf.26.048
Notice Year
2026
For information, contact:

Jodi Riggs-Power
Resource Management
Tel: 709-279-7626
Email: jodi.riggs-power@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

3Ps Greenland Halibut (Turbot) Fishery Closing

Notice Group Term
Species Term
Notice description

DFO advises that the 3Ps Greenland Halibut (Turbot) fishery for vessels less than and greater than 65' using gillnets and hook and line gear, will close at 2400 hours March 31, 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.

Issue Date
Notice Number
nf.26.047
Notice Year
2026
For information, contact:

Jodi Riggs-Power
Resource Management
Tel: 709-279-7626
Email: jodi.riggs-power@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Skate Fishery Closing in Sub-Division 3Ps

Notice Group Term
Species Term
Notice description

DFO advises that the skate fishery in NAFO Subdivision 3Ps for the inshore fleets, will close at 2400 hours, March 31, 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.

Issue Date
Notice Number
nf.26.043
Notice Year
2026
For information, contact:

Jodi Riggs-Power
Resource Management
Tel: 709-279-7626
Email: jodi.riggs-power@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

COD SPAWNING CLOSURE IN NAFO DIVISION 4R

Notice Group Term
Species Term
Notice description

DFO reminds harvesters involved in groundfish fisheries throughout NAFO Division 4R, that various fisheries will begin to open in the next few weeks. Harvesters are reminded that a portion of NAFO sub-Division 4Rd and 4Rc (Bay St. George and Port au Port Bay), is closed to ALL groundfish fishing until midnight June 23, 2026.

The purpose of this closure is to protect the Cod spawning activity occurring in this area.

The specific area of the closure is near the entrance to Bay St. George and Port au Port Bay, defined by straight lines drawn from the following coordinates:

- 48 degrees 15" North, 59 degrees 20" west, to
- 49 degrees 10" North, 59 degrees 20" west, to
- 49 degrees 10" North, 60 degrees 00" west, to
- 48 degrees 15" North, 60 degrees 00" west, to
- 48 degrees 15" North, 59 degrees 20" west.

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.

Issue Date
Notice Number
nf.26.045
Notice Year
2026
For information, contact:

Jodi Riggs-Power
Resource Management
Tel: 709-279-7626
Email: jodi.riggs-power@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

2026 Newfoundland and Labrador Snow Crab Fishery

Notice Group Term
Species Term
Notice description

Fisheries and Oceans Canada advises that the details of the 2026 management measures and quota levels for the Snow Crab fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador are now available at:

2026 Snow Crab Fishery, Newfoundland and Labrador

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.

Issue Date
Notice Number
nf.26.041
Notice Year
2026
For information, contact:

Terri Healey
Resource Manager
Tel.: (709)685-3998
E-mail: Terri.Healey@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

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

3NO Fixed Gear Atlantic Halibut Opening to Vessel Classes A353 (MARITIMES)

Notice Group Term
Species Term
Notice description

DFO advises that the fishery for Atlantic Halibut in NAFO Division 3NO, for vessel class A353 (Maritimes) using longline will open on April 1, 2026 at 0600 hours.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-003 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-019 comes into effect on March 27, 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.

Issue Date
Notice Number
nf.26.040
Notice Year
2026
For information, contact:

Robyn Lee
Resource Manager
Tel. (709) 687-1378
Email: Robyn.Lee@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Buddy-up for Lobster Fishing Areas 3, 4A, 4B, 5, 6, 7, and 10

Notice Group Term
Species Term
Notice description

DFO advises that buddy-up arrangements for Lobster Fishing Areas (LFAs) 3, 4A, 4B, 5, 6, 7, and 10 are now authorized.

Buddy-up Applications are now available on the National Online Licensing System (NOLS).

Harvesters interested in applying for a buddy-up arrangement may submit completed applications through NOLS.

Harvesters experiencing difficulties accessing their online NOLS account should contact the NOLS support line at 1-877-535-7307.

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.

Issue Date
Notice Number
nf.26.039
Notice Year
2026
For information, contact:

Kelly Dooley
Senior Resource Manager
Tel.: 709-690-9169
E-mail: Kelly.Dooley@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Newfoundland and Labrador Lobster Fishery Management Measures

Notice Group Term
Species Term
Notice description

Fisheries and Oceans Canada advises that the details of the management measures for the Lobster fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador for the 2026 season are now available at:

Lobster Fishing Areas 3-14C, Newfoundland and Labrador Region 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.

Issue Date
Notice Number
nf.26.038
Notice Year
2026
For information, contact:

Kelly Dooley
Senior Resource Manager
Tel.: 709-690-9169
E-mail: Kelly.Dooley@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Fixed Gear Herring Fishery Opening in NAFO Division 3PS, Placentia Bay HFA 10

Notice Group Term
Species Term
Notice description

DFO advises that the Fixed Gear (Gillnet, Trap and Tuck Seine) Herring fishery will open on March 20, 2026, at 0600 hours for the following:

Herring Fishing Area 10 – Placentia Bay

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2025-289 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-018 will come into force March 19, 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.

Issue Date
Notice Number
nf.26.037
Notice Year
2026
For information, contact:

Erin Dunne
Resource Manager - Pelagic Fisheries
Tel.: (709) 725-4582
E-mail: erin.dunne@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

MOBILE GEAR HERRING OPENING IN HERRING FISHING AREA 9 and 10 for GROUP A

Notice Group Term
Species Term
Notice description

DFO advises that the Mobile Gear (Purse Seine) Herring fishery will open by permit only on March 12, 2026 at 0600 hours and close on March 31, 2026 at 2200 hours in St. Mary’s Bay (Herring Fishing Area 9) and Placentia Bay (Herring Fishing Area 10).

Licence conditions can be obtained through DFO's National Online Licensing System (NOLS) for those harvesters who have been contacted for the above date.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2026-013 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-017 comes into effect on March 12, 2026.

"Notices to Fish Harvesters" for all commercial fisheries are now available online under the Fishery Notices link on the DFO NL Region webpage at Newfoundland and Labrador Region.

If you would like to have all "Notices to Fish Harvesters" for commercial fisheries sent directly to you by email, please contact: NLPRI@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

Issue Date
Notice Number
nf.26.036
Notice Year
2026
For information, contact:

Erin Dunne
Resource Manager - Pelagic Fisheries
Tel.: (709) 725-4582
E-mail: erin.dunne@dfo-mpo.gc.ca