Entries

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General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2026-058 has been revoked and Variation Order 2026-065 will come into force on May 15, 2026.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.

DFO advises that the details of the 2026 and 2027 management measures for the 4RST Capelin fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador are now available at:

Fisheries Management Decision 2026 and 2027 Capelin in NAFO Divisions 4RST

Décision de gestion des pêches 2026-2027 Pêche du capelan dans les divisions 4RST de l’OPANO

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 details of the 2026 and 2027 management measures for the 4RST Capelin fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador are now available at:

Fisheries Management Decision 2026 and 2027 Capelin in NAFO Divisions 4RST

Décision de gestion des pêches 2026-2027 Pêche du capelan dans les divisions 4RST de l’OPANO

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 fishery in NAFO sub-Division 3Pn, for vessels less than 65 feet using hook and line gear, will reopen at 0600 hours on May 14, 2026.

DFO will monitor fishing activity and will close the fishery if the incidental catch of Cod exceeds the established protocols.

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 2026 summer Trout season for Zone 1 (insular Newfoundland) opens on May 15, 2026, and will remain open until September 7, 2026.

Bag limits and possession limits for insular Newfoundland remain the same: daily bag limit for Trout (includes Speckled trout, Brown trout, Rainbow trout and Ouananiche) is 12 Trout or 2.25 kg + 1 Trout, round weight (which can be a combination of any of the species - Speckled, Brown, Rainbow, Ouananiche); possession limit is twice the daily bag limit.

Details on the regulations pertaining to bag limits, river classification, closed areas, and special management areas are contained in the 2026 - 2027 Angler’s Guide which is available online at Newfoundland and Labrador Anglers' Guide 2026-2027.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2026-006, 2026-007, 2026-008, and 2026-010 have been revoked, and Variation Orders 2026-052, 2026-053, 2026-054, and 2026-055 come into effect on May 14, 2026.

Notices to Anglers 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 Notices to Anglers sent to you directly by email, please contact: NLPRI@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

DFO advises that the Scallop fishery in Scallop Fishing Area 14A (Ferolle Point to Cape Bauld) will open May 13, 2026 at 0600 hours.

Fish harvesters are reminded that for quota monitoring purposes, the north and south quota management areas are divided at 51 degrees 25 minute North latitude.

Fish harvesters are reminded that they must have at-sea observer coverage services arranged before commencing fishing.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2026-047 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-059 comes into effect on May 13, 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 fishery for Atlantic Halibut in NAFO Division 3NO, for vessel classes A348 and C0897 (Maritimes) using longline will open on May 13, 2026 at 0600 hours.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-045 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-061 comes into effect on May 13, 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.