Entries

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) advises that the 3Ps Shrimp beam trawl fishery in the 3Ps portion of Shrimp Fishing Area (SFA) 7, for vessels less than 65 feet, based in NAFO sub-division 3Ps is open.

Fishing is authorized to begin once licence holders pay their licence fees and receive their licence conditions. Licence fees and licence conditions are currently being uploaded in 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 reminds harvesters that the Bait Season for herring in Herring Fishing Areas 3 to 10 and that portion of Herring Fishing Area 11 from Point Crewe to Western Head, Hare Bay is closed from July 15 to August 15, 2026.

Harvesters are reminded that all bait nets must be removed from the water.

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 Snow Crab fishery in NAFO Division 3LNO will be extended and will now close at 2000 hours on August 14, 2026 in the following areas:

Inshore:
• 5A Inner
• 5A Outer
• 6A Inner 
• 6A Outer 
• 6B Inner 
• 6B Outer
• 6C
• 8A
• 9A Inner 
• 9A Outer
 
Small Supplementary: 
• NS 
• MS 
• 8B 
• 8BxN

Full Time and Large Supplementary: 
• MS 
• MS-EX 
• 3L-EX 
• 3L-200 
• 3N-200

Midshore (>65'): 
• 3NO 200

DFO reminds harvesters that the area of 8BxS closed July 15, 2026.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-100 has been revoked and Variation Order 2026-118 will come into force on July 24, 2026.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.
 

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) is conducting a comprehensive review of the Inshore Regulations and is inviting stakeholders to participate in upcoming engagement sessions.

The purpose of this review is to gather perspectives on the current regulations and better understand:
-    general concerns with the Inshore Regulations;
-    challenges experienced with the current implementation of the regulations and the benefits of having strong regulatory measures;
-    opportunities to improve the regulations; and
-    other issues participants consider important to the review.

The Newfoundland and Labrador engagement session will take place as follows:
-    Date: July 30, 2026 
-    Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
-    Venue: Sheraton Hotel (115 Cavendish Square, St. John’s, NL A1C 3K2)

Stakeholders who are unable to attend the St. John’s session in-person are encouraged to participate virtually in any of the following engagement sessions:

St. John’s, NL Session
Date: July 30, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Meeting link: https://encoreglobal.zoom.us/j/95885981144?pwd=pPWdSJzf5Z0ZJysdBoaXESxDMjndp7.1

Halifax, NS Session
Date: August 18, 2026
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Meeting link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87593363297

Saint John, NB Session
Date: August 20, 2026
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Meeting link: https://encoreglobal.zoom.us/j/98584410459?pwd=fyecSci81jLdz1wsYltsNxTxoFS50I.1

Charlottetown, PE Session
Date: August 25, 2026
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Meeting link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83819535608?pwd=8DSAiaZ4t5BGyBEWUuXwpaE0vwIINm.1

Moncton, NB Session (simultaneous interpretation available)
Date: August 27, 2026
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Meeting link: https://encoreglobal.zoom.us/j/92553042652?pwd=b7Fc2DTLH7Lguw5ONutp5eycWH1vzf.1

Quebec City, QC Session (simultaneous interpretation available)
Date: September 9, 2026
Time: 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Meeting link (EN): https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88357715891?pwd=OWyu5uJFaahKElGRoGNvR9wImDffw8.1
Meeting link (FR): https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82680244955?pwd=37aRmh3QGqII3XzYSR1vWlZdl3NiiC.1

For additional information on the review, including engagement materials, discussion topics, session details, and access to the questionnaire, visit: Comprehensive Review: Strengthening the Inshore Regulations.

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 July 22, 2026.

Salmon Fishing Area 6
71. *Bellevue River, Trinity Bay

Salmon Fishing Area 7
72. Salmon Cove River, Conception Bay

Salmon Fishing Area 9 
81. *Salmonier River, including Back River below falls
82. Colinet River, including north and east branches
83. Rocky River & tributary streams
84. North Harbour River, St. Mary’s Bay
85. Little Salmonier River, St. Mary’s Bay
86. Big Barachois Brook, St. Mary’s Bay

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

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 2026-107, 2026-108, 2026-109, 2026-110 and 2026-111 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2026-113, 2026-114, 2026-115, 2026-116 and 2026-117 will come into effect at 1800 hours on July 21, 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.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) is conducting a comprehensive review of the Inshore Regulations and is inviting stakeholders to participate in upcoming engagement sessions.

The purpose of this review is to gather perspectives on the current regulations and better understand:
- general concerns with the Inshore Regulations;
- challenges experienced with the current implementation of the regulations and the benefits of having strong regulatory measures;
- opportunities to improve the regulations; and
- other issues participants consider important to the review.

The Newfoundland and Labrador engagement session will take place as follows:
- Date: July 30, 2026
- Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Venue: Sheraton Hotel, 115 Cavendish Square, St. John’s, NL A1C 3K2
- Virtual Participation: Meeting link will be provided at a later date.

Stakeholders who are unable to attend the St. John’s session will also have opportunities to participate virtually in engagement sessions being held in other Atlantic Canadian locations and Quebec. Information on these alternative engagement opportunities will be shared at a later date.

For additional information on the review, including engagement materials, discussion topics, session details, and access to the questionnaire, visit: Comprehensive Review: Strengthening the Inshore Regulations.

DFO advises that the Inshore fishery in NAFO Divisions 3NO for Atlantic Halibut, Monkfish and Skate using longline will open on July 25, 2026 at 0600 hours for the following vessel classes:

A251, A254, A257, A260, A263, A266, A269, and A272

Licence conditions can be obtained by emailing kelly.firmage-obrien@dfo-mpo.gc.ca or by calling (709) 685-0344.

Fish harvesters are reminded that all licence holders are required to provide a Daily Report of your fishing activity.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2026-104 has been revoked and Variation Order 2026-112 comes into effect on July 18, 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 that the Inshore fishery in NAFO Divisions 3NO for Atlantic Halibut, Monkfish and Skate using longline will open on July 25, 2026 at 0600 hours for the following vessel classes:

A251, A254, A257, A260, A263, A266, A269, and A272

Licence conditions can be obtained by emailing kelly.firmage-obrien@dfo-mpo.gc.ca or by calling (709) 685-0344.

Fish harvesters are reminded that all licence holders are required to provide a Daily Report of your fishing activity.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2026-104 has been revoked and Variation Order 2026-112 comes into effect on July 18, 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 that the Inshore fishery in NAFO Divisions 3NO for Atlantic Halibut, Monkfish and Skate using longline will open on July 25, 2026 at 0600 hours for the following vessel classes:

A251, A254, A257, A260, A263, A266, A269, and A272

Licence conditions can be obtained by emailing kelly.firmage-obrien@dfo-mpo.gc.ca or by calling (709) 685-0344.

Fish harvesters are reminded that all licence holders are required to provide a Daily Report of your fishing activity.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2026-104 has been revoked and Variation Order 2026-112 comes into effect on July 18, 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
 

This NARW Vigilance Advisory is to inform you that North Atlantic right whale(s) have been detected in the area of Bay de Verde. As per the 2026 fisheries management measures for the protection of North Atlantic right whale, this detection DOES NOT trigger a fishing prohibition.

We ask that harvesters fishing in the vicinity of this detection operate with heightened caution and maintain increased vigilance.

In the event of accidental contact between your vessel and/or fishing gear and any marine mammal, including a North Atlantic right whale, report the event to DFO using the Marine Mammal Interaction Reporting Form as specified under your conditions of licence and required under s.39 of the Marine Mammal Regulations of the Fisheries Act.

What to do if you see a North Atlantic right whale: 

If you see a free-swimming North Atlantic right whale, report it as soon as possible (ideally the same day or shortly after) to: DFO.GLFWhales-BaleinesGLF.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca and include the following details in your report: 
•    GPS location (latitude and longitude) 
•    Date and time of the sighting 
•    Number of whales observed 
•    Behaviour (for example: feeding, travelling, diving) 
•    Description of animal, highlighting unique markings or features

If possible, photographs and video of the animal, especially of the tail, flukes, and flippers. Please ensure you are complying with the requirements of the Marine Mammal Regulations (minimum approach distances) and taking photos from a safe location using your camera’s zoom function.

If you see an injured, stranded, entangled or dead North Atlantic right whale, please contact:  

Whale Release and Strandings
1-888-895-3003

Be prepared to note: 

•    Date, time, and location (lat./long.) of animal 
•    Behaviours of the animal observed 
•    Entangling gear, if present 
•    Visible injuries 
 
Keep your distance and follow the Marine Mammal Regulations. 

Do not touch or move an animal yourself because: 
•    you may accidentally harm it or yourself 
•    it may carry diseases that could transfer to you 
 
Please see Watching marine wildlife for more information.

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.