Entries

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) wishes to remind that in-person Outreach Meetings will be held throughout the Region in the coming weeks.

These meetings are intended to provide inshore harvesters and other interested stakeholders an opportunity to engage in open dialogue regarding matters of concern related to the inshore fisheries.

NAFO Division 3K
Thursday, November 12, 2026 – Baie Verte, Baie Vista Inn: 2:00–4:00 PM
Friday, November 13, 2026 – Summerford, Community Hall: 2:00–4:00 PM
Tuesday, December 15, 2026 – St. Anthony, Lions Club: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM

NAFO Division 3L
Monday, November 30, 2026 – Bonavista, Lions Club: 2:00–4:00 PM
Tuesday, December 1, 2026 – Heart’s Content, Town Office: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Tuesday, December 1, 2026 – Bay Roberts, Search and Rescue: 2:00–4:00 PM
Wednesday, December 2, 2026 – Petty Harbour, Community Center: 2:00–4:00 PM

NAFO Divisions 4R3Pn
Monday, November 9, 2026 – Port aux Basques, St. Christopher’s Hotel: 1:00–3:00 PM
Tuesday, November 10, 2026 – Corner Brook, Glynmill Inn: 1:00–3:00 PM
Thursday, November 12, 2026 – Cow Head, Shallow Bay Motel: 1:00–3:00 PM

NAFO Division 3PS
Wednesday, December 2, 2026 – Arnold’s Cove, Arnold’s Cove Inn: 1:00–3:00 PM
Thursday, December 3, 2026 – Marystown, Marystown Hotel: 1:00–3:00 PM

For further information, please contact your local DFO office.

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) wishes to remind that in-person Outreach Meetings will be held throughout the Region in the coming weeks.

These meetings are intended to provide inshore harvesters and other interested stakeholders an opportunity to engage in open dialogue regarding matters of concern related to the inshore fisheries.

NAFO Division 3K
Thursday, November 12, 2026 – Baie Verte, Baie Vista Inn: 2:00–4:00 PM
Friday, November 13, 2026 – Summerford, Community Hall: 2:00–4:00 PM
Tuesday, December 15, 2026 – St. Anthony, Lions Club: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM

NAFO Division 3L
Monday, November 30, 2026 – Bonavista, Lions Club: 2:00–4:00 PM
Tuesday, December 1, 2026 – Heart’s Content, Town Office: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Tuesday, December 1, 2026 – Bay Roberts, Search and Rescue: 2:00–4:00 PM
Wednesday, December 2, 2026 – Petty Harbour, Community Center: 2:00–4:00 PM

NAFO Divisions 4R3Pn
Monday, November 9, 2026 – Port aux Basques, St. Christopher’s Hotel: 1:00–3:00 PM
Tuesday, November 10, 2026 – Corner Brook, Glynmill Inn: 1:00–3:00 PM
Thursday, November 12, 2026 – Cow Head, Shallow Bay Motel: 1:00–3:00 PM

NAFO Division 3PS
Wednesday, December 2, 2026 – Arnold’s Cove, Arnold’s Cove Inn: 1:00–3:00 PM 
Thursday, December 3, 2026 – Marystown, Marystown Hotel: 1:00–3:00 PM 

For further information, please contact your local DFO office.

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 2J3KL Northern cod fishery will close for 3KL-based inshore fixed-gear harvesters in NAFO Divisions 2J3KL on October 28, 2026, at 1800 hours for vessel classes A295, A296 and A283. This closure is necessary as landings are approaching the 3KL-based allocation (34,403t).

DFO also advises that as per the CHP, 2J-based inshore fixed gear harvesters, vessel class A292 and A286, will not be authorized to fish in NAFO Divisions 3KL as of October 28, 2026, at 1800 hours, and are restricted to fishing in NAFO Division 2J.

The Department prioritizes safety at sea. If a harvester is unable to retrieve their gear by the close time due to safety, they are advised to contact their local C&P detachment.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2026-169 and 2026-095 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2026-182 and 2026-183 come into effect on October 27, 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 the 4R portion of the Unit 1 Redfish fishery (vessels less than 65 feet) will open to NL based harvester with Reserve Allocation for vessel class C478. The fishery will open at 0600 hours on October 23, 2026.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region give notice that Variation Order 2026-092 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-181 comes into force on October 23, 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 directed Atlantic halibut fishery in NAFO Sub-Division 3Ps will close for fixed gear vessels less than 65 feet at 1200 hours on October 22, 2026, as the quota is expected to be taken. 

There will be no Atlantic halibut bycatch permitted after this time.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2026-178 has been revoked and Variation Order 2026-180 comes into effect on October 22, 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) wishes to advise that in-person Outreach Meetings will be held throughout the Region in the coming weeks.

These meetings are intended to provide inshore harvesters and other interested stakeholders an opportunity to engage in open dialogue regarding matters of concern related to the inshore fisheries.

NAFO Division 3K
Thursday, November 12, 2026 – Baie Verte, Baie Vista Inn: 2:00–4:00 PM
Friday, November 13, 2026 – Summerford, Community Hall: 2:00–4:00 PM
Tuesday, December 15, 2026 – St. Anthony, Lions Club: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM

NAFO Division 3L
Monday, November 30, 2026 – Bonavista, Lions Club: 2:00–4:00 PM
Tuesday, December 1, 2026 – Heart’s Content, Town Office: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Tuesday, December 1, 2026 – Bay Roberts, Search and Rescue: 2:00–4:00 PM
Wednesday, December 2, 2026 – Petty Harbour, Community Center: 2:00–4:00 PM

NAFO Divisions 4R3Pn
Monday, November 9, 2026 – Port aux Basques, St. Christopher’s Hotel: 1:00–3:00 PM
Tuesday, November 10, 2026 – Corner Brook, Glynmill Inn: 1:00–3:00 PM
Thursday, November 12, 2026 – Cow Head, Shallow Bay Motel: 1:00–3:00 PM

NAFO Division 3PS
Wednesday, December 2, 2026 – Arnold’s Cove, Arnold’s Cove Inn: 1:00–3:00 PM 
Thursday, December 3, 2026 – Marystown, Marystown Hotel: 1:00–3:00 PM 

NAFO Division 2J
Tuesday, November 3, 2026 – Cartwright, 50 Plus Club: 1:00–4:00 PM
Wednesday, November 4, 2026 – Mary’s Harbour, Town Hall: 1:00–4:00 PM
Thursday, November 5, 2026 – Charlottetown, Town Hall: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM

For further information, please contact your local DFO office.

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 Fixed Gear (Barr/Tuck Seine) Herring fishery will close on October 21, 2026, at 1200 hours in NAFO Division 2J (HFA 1 and 2).

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region give notice that Variation Order 2026-177 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-179 comes into force at 1000 hours on October 21, 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 directed Cod fishery in NAFO sub-Division 3Ps will reopen to the Placentia Bay less than 35’ fixed-gear fleet (Vessel Classes A262, A263, and A264) at 0600 hours October 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 Atlantic Halibut hook and line (long line) fishery in NAFO Divisions 4RST, for fixed gear vessels less than 65 feet based in Western NL and Southern Labrador that elected to fish in Period 4, will open at 0600 hours on October 12, 2026. This fishery is open to Vessel class A291 and will close at 2000 hours on November 1, 2026.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2026-174 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-178 will come into force on October 9, 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 North Atlantic right whale (NARW) Vigilance Advisory is to inform you that North Atlantic right whale(s) have been detected in the area of Conception Bay (Holyrood).  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
Email:  whales@nl.rogers.com

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.