NOTICE TO FISH HARVESTERS

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.

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.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans advises harvesters of the following management measures for the 2+3K <65 FG Greenland Halibut Fisheries starting July 17, 2026:

• The fishery will now be administered through trip limits.
• Trip limits for 2+3K will increase to 50,000 lbs. round weight.
• New conditions will be available through the National Online Licensing System (NOLS) after July 16, 2026.
• Any participants that were not issued an initial permit can now request license conditions to participate in the 2+3K fishery.

To request these license conditions, contact Kelly Firmage-O’Brien at kelly.firmage-o’brien@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

The issuance and acceptance of these licence conditions is not a guarantee that sufficient quota will be available to harvest the amount on the licence condition.

The Department will continue to closely monitor this fishery.  Closures may occur on short notice which will be communicated through Notice to Fishers.

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 Witch flounder (Greysole) fishery for vessels less than 65 feet, using Danish seine (vessel classes C50 and C351), will open in NAFO sub-Division 4Rd - from a line drawn due west of Cape Ray, north to a line drawn due west of Cape St. George at 0600 hours on July 15, 2026.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-284 has been revoked and Variation Order 2026-106 comes into effect on July 15, 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 fishery for vessels using fixed gear (tuck, bar seine and trap) will open in the following areas in White Bay (Capelin Fishing Area 3):

July 11, 2026 at 0600 hours in
• Cape Fox to Hampden, Inclusive
• Bottom of White Bay to Cape St. John

July 13, 2026 at 0600 hours in
• Fischot Island to Cape Fox

Harvesters are reminded that the fishery must be open for 24 hours before any Capelin can be removed from any fixed Gear.

Licence conditions can be obtained through DFO’s National Online Licensing System (NOLS).

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2026-103 has been revoked and Variation Order 2026-105 comes into effect on July 11, 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 fishery for vessels using fixed gear (tuck, bar seine and trap) will open on July 12, 2026 at 0600 hours in the following area:

North Head to Dog Bay Point (Capelin Fishing Area 4)

Harvesters are reminded that the fishery must be open for 24 hours before any Capelin can be removed from any fixed gear.

Licence conditions can be obtained through DFO’s National Online Licensing System (NOLS).

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2026-103 has been revoked and Variation Order 2026-105 comes into effect on July 11, 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.