Entries

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) advises the public of the closure to harvesting of all bivalve shellfish (including Arctic wedge calms, Atlantic razor clams, Atlantic surf clams, bay quahaugs, northern propeller clams, ocean quahaugs, softshell clam, Stimpson's surf clams, bay mussels, blue mussel, horse mussels, American oysters, bay scallops, Iceland scallops, purple hinge rock scallop, northern moon snails, waved whelks, Stimpson's whelks, except sea scallops) for recreational or commercial purposes effective 1800 hours June 26, 2026 for that portion of Tommy's Arm bounded by the shoreline and a series of straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed:

49.47304 N 55.75942 W, to a point at  
49.46774 N 55.76196 W, then along the shoreline to a point at 
49.46464 N 55.78563 W, to a point at 
49.47014 N 55.78963 W, then along the shoreline to a point at 
49.47103 N 55.77843 W, to a point at 
49.47234 N 55.77005, then along the shoreline back to the point of commencement.

More detailed information on other closed areas can be obtained from the nearest DFO office or the following website:  Shellfish harvesting map

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Prohibition Order NSN-2026-004 comes into effect 1800 hours June 26, 2026. 

For more information on the Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program please consult the following website:   Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program (CSSP) - inspection.canada.ca

DFO reminds the public of the following season dates of the recreational groundfish fishery.

2GHJ3KL (north and east coasts):
•    Summer Season - Wednesday, July 01, 2026 to Monday, September 07, 2026
•    Fall Season - Saturday, September 19, 2026 to Sunday, September 27, 2026 

3Ps and 4R3Pn (south and west coasts):
Summer Season:
•    Saturday, July 04, 2026 to Monday, July 06, 2026
•    Saturday, July 11, 2026 to Monday, July 13, 2026
•    Saturday, July 18, 2026 to Monday, July 20, 2026
•    Saturday, July 25, 2026 to Monday, July 27, 2026
•    Saturday, August 01 2026 to Monday, August 03, 2026
•    Saturday, August 08, 2026 to Monday, August 10, 2026
•    Saturday, August 15, 2026 to Monday, August 17, 2026
•    Saturday, August 22, 2026 to Monday, August 24, 2026
•    Saturday, August 29, 2026 to Monday, August 31, 2026
•    Saturday, September 05, 2026 to Monday, September 07, 2026

Fall Season:
•    Saturday, September 19, 2026 to Sunday, September 27, 2026

Recreational fishers are limited to five (5) groundfish per day (including cod). There is no boat limit.  

The Department reminds recreational fishery participants to practice safe boating and check the weather before heading out on the water. For more information on boating safety please refer to the Safe Boating Guide. For specific information regarding Transport Canada rules and regulations or to request a pleasure craft courtesy check please contact the Office of Boating Safety at 1-800-230-3693 or obs-atl-bsn@tc.gc.ca.

Further details on the management measures for the Newfoundland and Labrador recreational groundfish fishery can be found online at the following website: 

Newfoundland and Labrador Recreational Groundfish Fishery

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

DFO reminds the public of the following season dates of the recreational groundfish fishery.

2GHJ3KL (north and east coasts):
•    Summer Season - Wednesday, July 01, 2026 to Monday, September 07, 2026
•    Fall Season - Saturday, September 19, 2026 to Sunday, September 27, 2026 

3Ps and 4R3Pn (south and west coasts):
Summer Season:
•    Saturday, July 04, 2026 to Monday, July 06, 2026
•    Saturday, July 11, 2026 to Monday, July 13, 2026
•    Saturday, July 18, 2026 to Monday, July 20, 2026
•    Saturday, July 25, 2026 to Monday, July 27, 2026
•    Saturday, August 01, 2026 to Monday, August 03, 2026
•    Saturday, August 08, 2026 to Monday, August 10, 2026
•    Saturday, August 15, 2026 to Monday, August 17, 2026
•    Saturday, August 22, 2026 to Monday, August 24, 2026
•    Saturday, August 29, 2026 to Monday, August 31, 2026
•    Saturday, September 05, 2026 to Monday, September 07, 2026

Fall Season:
•    Saturday, September 19, 2026 to Sunday, September 27, 2026

Recreational fishers are limited to five (5) groundfish per day (including cod). There is no boat limit.  

The Department reminds recreational fishery participants to practice safe boating and check the weather before heading out on the water. For more information on boating safety please refer to the Safe Boating Guide. For specific information regarding Transport Canada rules and regulations or to request a pleasure craft courtesy check please contact the Office of Boating Safety at 1-800-230-3693 or obs-atl-bsn@tc.gc.ca.

Further details on the management measures for the Newfoundland and Labrador recreational groundfish fishery can be found online at the following website: 

Newfoundland and Labrador Recreational Groundfish Fishery

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 the 2J3KL Northern cod fishery will open for 3KL-based inshore fixed-gear harvesters to fish in NAFO Divisions 2J3KL on Sunday, July 5, 2026 at 06:00 hours.

The base weekly authorized catch limits (in round weight) for 3KL-based regular season fixed-gear harvesters are:
-July 5 – September 12: 10,000 lbs. base weekly

The base bi-weekly authorized catch limits for 2J-based inshore fixed-gear harvesters will be finalized soon.

Catch and gear limits for 3KL-based harvesters from September 13 onward will be determined following a mid-August review. An additional seasonal review may be required to determine catch and gear limits later in the season. 

3KL-based harvesters will have the option of fishing the regular season at the weekly base catch limits identified above, or they may opt to fish only during the 3KL fall season starting September 13 with a catch limit of no less than 75,000 lbs. base bi-weekly (round weight). The catch limit for 3KL harvesters opting for fall-only conditions will be confirmed during the mid-August review. 

Fish harvesters selecting the 3KL fall only fishery option MUST indicate their intention via e-mail to Robyn.Lee@dfo-mpo.gc.ca by Thursday, July 2, 2026. Harvesters must provide their FULL NAME, FIN, HOMEPORT in their email. 

If a harvester who has opted to fish in the fall season has directed cod landings prior to September 12, they will forfeit their fall fishery licence conditions. 

Should adjustments to catch limits or seasons be required, updates will be communicated to harvesters via a Notice to Fishers. The Conservation and Harvesting Plan (CHP) will be available online soon at: 
Decisions for Atlantic Canada, Quebec and the Arctic - 2026

DFO advises that the Snow crab fishery has been extended for Crab Fishing Areas 12B, 12C, 12E, 12F, Bay of Islands, Bay St. George and Outside 8 Mile. The fishery in these areas will now close at 2000 hours on July 7, 2026.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-80 has been revoked and Variation Order 2026-089 will come into force on June 26, 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 Snow crab fishery will now close at 2000 hours on July 7, 2026 in Crab Management Areas in NAFO Division 3K. These season extensions apply to the following Crab Management Areas:

Areas 4, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3BC and 3D

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region, gives notice that Variation Order 2026-080 has been revoked and Variation Order 2026-089 will come into force on June 26, 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 Capelin fixed gear fishery using traps and bar seine (including modified bar seine known as "tuck seine"), for the large vessel fleet (less than 65 feet (19.8m)) in the following area will open at 0600 hours on June 25, 2026:

Capelin Fishing Area 14 from the Quebec/Labrador border, north to Cape Charles.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-085 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-088 comes into effect on June 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 of the following closing dates for the following Lobster Fishing Areas:

Note all closing times are 2000 hours.

- LFA 10 (Placentia Bay): July 11, 2026.
- LFA 11 East (East of Western Head, Hare Bay): June 21, 2026.
- LFA 11 West (West of Western Head, Hare Bay): June 30, 2026.

Fish harvesters are reminded that all fishing gear must be removed from the water by closing time.

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 Atlantic Halibut fishery in NAFO sub-Division 3Pn, for vessels less than 65 feet using hook and line gear, will close at 2000 hours on June 24, 2026. The reason for the closure is that the available harvesting cap for this fishery has been reached. Fish harvesters are reminded that all fishing gear must be removed from the water by closing time.

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 inshore fixed-gear Northern Cod harvesters that 2026 buddy up applications are available through the National Online Licensing System (NOLS).

PLEASE NOTE: COMPLETED APPLICATIONS MUST BE UPLOADED TO THE NATIONAL ONLINE LICENCING SYSTEM. APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED AND APPROVED PRIOR TO THE START OF THE SEASON.

For the 2026 fishing season, harvesters participating in a northern cod buddy up arrangement will be authorized to change their approved vessel to another vessel registered to either participant, based on operational requirements during the season.  Requests for a vessel substitution must be submitted through the National Online Licensing System.  A maximum of one vessel substitution will be permitted for the 2026 season.

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.