Entries

Fisheries and Oceans Canada advises that the inshore Shrimp fishery in Shrimp Fishing Area (SFA) 6 for vessels less than 90 feet, based in NAFO Divisions 2J, 3K, 3L, and 4R will open at 6:00 AM on May 20, 2026.

Licence fees and licence conditions will soon be available 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 advises that the recreational groundfish fishery will be open in all NAFO areas/subareas of Newfoundland and Labrador and follow an area-based management approach. There is no requirement for a licence or tags for the general public.

Recognizing differences in the health of the three Atlantic cod stocks in adjacent waters and informed by survey results, in 2GHJ3KL (north and east coasts) the fishery will be open seven days a week from Memorial Day/Canada Day to Labour Day with a nine day period in the fall. In 3Ps and 3Pn4R (south and west coasts) the fishery will be open weekends (Saturday, Sunday, and Monday) throughout the summer with a nine day period in the fall. Season dates by area are specified below.

Three exceptions are the Eastport, Gilbert Bay and Laurentian Channel Marine Protected Areas (MPA) where recreational groundfish fishing will not be permitted.

Season Dates by Area:

2GHJ3KL (north and east coasts):

•    Summer Season - Wednesday, July 01 to Monday, September 07, 2026
•    Fall Season - Saturday, September 19 to Sunday, September 27, 2026 

3Ps and 4R3Pn (south and west coasts):

Summer Season:

•    Saturday, July 04 to Monday, July 06, 2026
•    Saturday, July 11 to Monday, July 13, 2026
•    Saturday, July 18 to Monday, July 20, 2026
•    Saturday, July 25 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.

Provisions will continue that allow a person with a disability to designate a person to catch their daily limit of groundfish. The disability designation form and further details on the management measures for the Newfoundland and Labrador recreational groundfish fishery can be found online at the following website: Decisions for Atlantic Canada, Quebec and the Arctic - 2026

The tour boat voluntary pilot program will continue for Transport Canada certified tour boat operators. This includes a tagging system and retention of two fish per passenger per day, seven days a week with mandatory harvest reporting requirements. To apply for this licence, please contact DFO.ExperimentalLicensing-Experimental.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

DFO Science conducts ongoing tagging programs for various groundfish species to support research on fish movement, growth, and natural mortality. If you capture a tagged groundfish, please return the tag to claim your monetary reward by mailing it to DFO’s Science Branch.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2025-279 and 2025-280 have been revoked, and Variation Orders 2026-063 and 2026-064 come into effect on May 16, 2026.

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 advises that the recreational groundfish fishery will be open in all NAFO areas/subareas of Newfoundland and Labrador and follow an area-based management approach. There is no requirement for a licence or tags for the general public.

Recognizing differences in the health of the three Atlantic cod stocks in adjacent waters and informed by survey results, in 2GHJ3KL (north and east coasts) the fishery will be open seven days a week from Memorial Day/Canada Day to Labour Day with a nine day period in the fall. In 3Ps and 3Pn4R (south and west coasts) the fishery will be open weekends (Saturday, Sunday, and Monday) throughout the summer with a nine day period in the fall. Season dates by area are specified below.

Three exceptions are the Eastport, Gilbert Bay and Laurentian Channel Marine Protected Areas (MPA) where recreational groundfish fishing will not be permitted.

Season Dates by Area:

2GHJ3KL (north and east coasts):

•    Summer Season - Wednesday, July 01 to Monday, September 07, 2026
•    Fall Season - Saturday, September 19 to Sunday, September 27, 2026 

3Ps and 4R3Pn (south and west coasts):

Summer Season:

•    Saturday, July 04 to Monday, July 06, 2026
•    Saturday, July 11 to Monday, July 13, 2026
•    Saturday, July 18 to Monday, July 20, 2026
•    Saturday, July 25 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.

Provisions will continue that allow a person with a disability to designate a person to catch their daily limit of groundfish. The disability designation form and further details on the management measures for the Newfoundland and Labrador recreational groundfish fishery can be found online at the following website: Decisions for Atlantic Canada, Quebec and the Arctic - 2026

The tour boat voluntary pilot program will continue for Transport Canada certified tour boat operators. This includes a tagging system and retention of two fish per passenger per day, seven days a week with mandatory harvest reporting requirements. To apply for this licence, please contact DFO.ExperimentalLicensing-Experimental.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

DFO Science conducts ongoing tagging programs for various groundfish species to support research on fish movement, growth, and natural mortality. If you capture a tagged groundfish, please return the tag to claim your monetary reward by mailing it to DFO’s Science Branch.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2025-279 and 2025-280 have been revoked, and Variation Orders 2026-063 and 2026-064 come into effect on May 16, 2026.

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 advises that the 4R portion of the Unit 1 Redfish fishery will open to the following mobile gear fleets, Offshore fleet, Midshore fleet, Indigenous allocation holders, Inshore fleet, and Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence shrimp harvester fleet. The fishery will open at 0600 hours on May 15, 2026, and will close at 2400 hours on May 14, 2027.

Access to the fishery at the start of the season will only be provided through an interim reserve allocation available on an application basis. Harvesters wishing to fish during this period must submit an application and will be issued Conditions of Licence upon approval.

This opening applies to vessels in the following classes C1 to C359, C363, C364, C369, C370, C373, C376, C381, C385, C387, C393, C396, C399, C400, C401, C405, C406, C407, C410, C412, C415, C417, C419, C421, C422, C423, C424, C425, C432, C433, C436, C437, C440, C442, C443, C444, C445, C448, C449, C452, C453, C455, C459, C460, C461, C361, C362, C365, C366, C367, C368, C371, C372, C374, C375, C377, C378, C379, C380, C382, C383, C384, C386, C388, C389, C390, C391, C392, C394, C395, C396, C398, C403, C404, C409, C411, C413, C414, C418, C420, C434, C435, C439, C447, C450, C451, C464, C469, C470, C471, C462 to C3999, D1 to D199, E to J and L to Z.  

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region give notice that Variation Order 2026-035 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-056 comes into force on May 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 wishes to advise harvesters that the Lumpfish fishery will open in the following NAFO Division 3K Lumpfish fishing areas:

Note all opening times are 0600 hours and all closing times are 2000 hours.

Cape Bauld to Granite Point: May 20, 2026 to July 8, 2026
Granite Point to Little Harbour Deep Head: May 20, 2026 to July 8, 2026
Little Harbour Deep Head to Cape St. John: May 20, 2026 to July 8, 2026
Cape St. John to North Head: May 20, 2026 to July 8, 2026
North Head to Cape Freels: May 27, 2026 to July 15, 2026

Fishing for Lumpfish is authorized in water depths less than 25 fathoms.

Licence fees and licence conditions are available on the National Online Licensing System (NOLS).

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2026-060 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-066 will come into force on May 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 wishes to advise harvesters that the Lumpfish fishery will open at 0600 hours on May 17, 2026 and close at 2000 hours on July 5, 2026 in the following NAFO Division 3L Lumpfish fishing area:

Conception Bay

Fishing for Lumpfish is authorized in water depths less than 25 fathoms.

Licence fees and licence conditions are available on the National Online Licensing System (NOLS).

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2026-060 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-066 comes into effect on May 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 harvesters that the less than 65 ft. fixed gear Greenland Halibut (Turbot) fishery in NAFO Divisions 3LMNO will open on May 20, 2026 at 0600 hours.

Fish Harvesters are required to hail-out to an At Sea Observer Company 24 hours prior to leaving port.

License conditions will be available on the National Online Licensing System (NOLS) for those harvesters who submitted an Expression of Interest and are eligible to participate in the NAFO Divisions 3LMNO fixed gear Greenland halibut (Turbot) fishery.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2026-058 has been revoked and Variation Order 2026-065 will come into force on May 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.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) advises the public of the closures of portions of Notre Dame Bay for the harvesting of all molluscan bivalve shellfish for recreational and commercial purposes in the following areas effective 1800 hours, May 13, 2026:

Osmonton Arm:
Those waters of Little Northwest Arm, that are inside, or southwest, of a line drawn from coordinate 49.4578278, -55.3634257 southeast to coordinate 49.4525412, -55.3606694. 

Big Island:
Those waters of Big Island, West Arm that are bounded by, or inside, a series of straight lines drawn from latitude/longitude 49.3686916, -55.4394693 northeast to reference 49.3695417, -55.4354722; latitude/longitude 49.3594522, -55.4404327 southwest to reference 49.3571905, -55.4468041 thence northwest to reference 49.3586479, -55.4490750, thence northwest to reference 49.3618380, -554499504; latitude/longitude 49.3618380, -55.4499504 northeast to reference 49.3642700, -55.4484013, thence northeast to 49.3650692, -55.4479314. 

Strong Island:
Those waters of Strong Island Sound that are inside, or southeast of a straight line drawn from latitude/longitude 49.3872110, -55.3436630 northeast to reference 49.3865676, -55.3482039.

The closures noted above apply to the following molluscan bivalve shellfish:
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.

More detailed information on these closed areas can be obtained from the nearest DFO office or the following website:  Check Before you Harvest

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Prohibition Orders NSN-2026-001, NSN-2026-002, NSN-2026-003 come into effect at 1800 hours May 13, 2026.

For more information on the Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program please consult the following website: Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program (CSSP)

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) advises the public of the closures of portions of Notre Dame Bay for the harvesting of all molluscan bivalve shellfish for recreational and commercial purposes in the following areas effective 1800 hours, May 13, 2026:

Osmonton Arm:
Those waters of Little Northwest Arm, that are inside, or southwest, of a line drawn from coordinate 49.4578278, -55.3634257 southeast to coordinate 49.4525412, -55.3606694. 

Big Island:
Those waters of Big Island, West Arm that are bounded by, or inside, a series of straight lines drawn from latitude/longitude 49.3686916, -55.4394693 northeast to reference 49.3695417, -55.4354722; latitude/longitude 49.3594522, -55.4404327 southwest to reference 49.3571905, -55.4468041 thence northwest to reference 49.3586479, -55.4490750, thence northwest to reference 49.3618380, -554499504; latitude/longitude 49.3618380, -55.4499504 northeast to reference 49.3642700, -55.4484013, thence northeast to 49.3650692, -55.4479314. 

Strong Island:
Those waters of Strong Island Sound that are inside, or southeast of a straight line drawn from latitude/longitude 49.3872110, -55.3436630 northeast to reference 49.3865676, -55.3482039.

The closures noted above apply to the following molluscan bivalve shellfish:
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.

More detailed information on these closed areas can be obtained from the nearest DFO office or the following website:  Check Before you Harvest

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Prohibition Orders NSN-2026-001, NSN-2026-002, NSN-2026-003 come into effect at 1800 hours May 13, 2026.

For more information on the Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program please consult the following website: Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program (CSSP)

DFO advises that the Atlantic Halibut fishery in NAFO Division 4R for Quebec-based vessel classes A138 to A144, A500 to A519, A521 to A700, A901 to A948, A949 to A990, A1800 to A1980 and A2343 to A2456 will open at 0500 hours EDT on May 15, 2026 and close 2359 hours EDT on October 31, 2026.

DFO reminds harvesters 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 0001 hours EDT, June 24, 2026. The purpose of this closure is to protect the Cod spawning activity occurring in this area.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-061 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-062 will come into force on May 14, 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.