Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) will release the second 220 tonne portion of the mackerel bait quota at 0500 hours on Monday, September 8, 2025 across all Mackerel Fishing Areas. Please be advised the Atlantic mackerel bait fishery is a competitive fishery and is intended for personal-use only.

Harvesters participating in this personal use bait fishery are reminded:

• they will be restricted to a daily limit of 454 kg (1,000 lbs) to be fished by either gillnet or handline,
• a mandatory hail-in will be required for all harvesters participating in the personal use mackerel bait fishery,
• an accurate catch estimate must be provided prior to offloading your catch and harvesters must hail a trip summary to the Fish Harvesters’ Resource Centre at 1-877-884-7359 / 1-888-562-4511,
• harvesters will be alerted of closures through a Notice to Fish Harvesters,
• bait licences will be available through the National Online Licensing System.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region, gives notice that Variation Order 2025-104 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-204 comes into effect on August 22, 2025.

"Notices to Fish Harvesters" for all commercial fisheries are now available online under the Fishery Notices link on the DFO NL Region webpage at Newfoundland and Labrador Region

If you would like to have all "Notices to Fish Harvesters" for commercial fisheries sent directly to you by email, please contact: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca