Fisheries and Oceans Canada

DFO advises fish harvesters that fishing licences for 2026 will not be available until after the first few weeks of January 2026. Those fish harvesters who want to fish during the first weeks of January 2026 must first have their 2025 fishing licences amended by a DFO Fishery Officer or a Licensing Officer to extend their licence to January 25, 2026.

Fish harvesters are advised that before the start of any fishing trip in 2026, they are to place a request in NOLS (https://fishing-peche.dfo-mpo.gc.ca), with a copy of their 2025 Licence Document attached for a Licensing Officer to amend the licence end date. This will allow harvesters to continue fishing while they are awaiting their 2026 licence through the National Online Licensing System (NOLS).

"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.