NOTICE TO FISH HARVESTERS

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General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2026-138 has been revoked and Variation Order 2026-157 comes into effect on August 25, 2026.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

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 that, based on current participation levels and landings in the 2026 3L Greenland Halibut (Turbot) fishery, the fishery is tentatively scheduled to close at 2000 hours on August 26, 2026.

The Department will continue to closely monitor catch rates and overall harvest activity. Harvesters are advised that an earlier closure may be necessary should quota levels be reached sooner than anticipated.

An update will be provided to harvesters through a Notice to Fishers when the final closure date is confirmed.

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 Whelk Fishery in 3Ps will close on August 21, 2026, at 2000 hours. It is expected that the quota will be reached by then.

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 eligible harvesters who wish to participate in the 2026-2027 <65' mobile gear fishery for 2J3KL Northern cod must submit an Expression of Interest to Fisheries and Oceans by 1700 hours, Monday, August 24, 2026.

For the 2026-2027 season, the inshore mobile-gear cod fishery will be managed using weekly limits; the authorized catch limit will be 150,000 lbs weekly (round weight). The anticipated opening for this fishery will be Tuesday, September 1, 2026. A Notice to Fishers will be issued to confirm the opening date. Catch limits from November 1st onward will be determined following a mid-October review.
 
Fish harvesters are required to email their Expression of Interest to:  Robyn.Lee@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

In your e-mail please include the following:
Name:
FIN:
Phone #:
E-mail address:

Late applications will not be accepted.

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.
 

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) will open the competitive, personal-use Atlantic mackerel bait fishery on August 17, 2026 in Newfoundland and Labrador Mackerel Fishing Areas 1 through 14 at 0600 hours.

An additional opening is tentatively scheduled for early October and will be communicated separately. These openings implement the additional bait fishing access announced by the Department on July 3, 2026. 

Participating harvesters will be restricted to a daily limit of 454 kg (1,000 lbs) to be fished by either gillnet or handline. Monitoring will be achieved using various measures, including a 100% hail-in requirement in all regions. Additional information related to conditions of licence, will be available through the National Online Licensing System (NOLS). 

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region, gives notice that Variation Order 2026-096 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-140 will come into force on at 0600 hours on August 17, 2026.
 

DFO advises that the commercial squid fishery will open for jiggers and traps in Squid Fishing Areas 1 – 14 at 0600 hours on August 10, 2026.

Licence fees and licence conditions will soon be available to commercial licence holders through the National Online Licensing System (NOLS).

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-273 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-139 will come into effect on August 08, 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 fixed gear Greenland Halibut (Turbot) Fishery in NAFO Divisions 2+3K will close for all vessels less than 65 ft on August 11, 2026 at 2000 hours.

DFO reminds harvesters that all gear must be removed from the water by closing time.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2026-084 has been revoked and Variation Order 2026-138 comes into effect on August 8, 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.