Entries

DFO advises that the Whelk fishery in NAFO Sub-Division 3Ps will open at 0600 hours on May 31, 2026 and close 2000 hours on Friday, October 31, 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 fish harvesters that the opening date for the 2026 NL Commercial Eel fishery in coastal waters is June 1, 2026.

Licences and conditions are available through DFO’s National Online Licensing System (NOLS), and the site location conditions must be obtained from the local DFO Area office.

The eel fishery will close on October 31, 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 fixed gear herring (gillnet/trap) fisheries for White Bay, Notre Dame Bay, Bonavista Bay, Trinity Bay, Conception Bay, the Southern Shore and St. Mary's Bay, (Herring Fishing Areas 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9) will close at 2000 hours on June 14, 2026.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-049 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-072 will come into force on May 27, 2026.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.

As an interim management measure pending results of the 2026 Atlantic mackerel assessment on May 27th, Fisheries and Oceans Canada will release 220 tonnes of the Atlantic mackerel Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for the competitive, personal-use bait fishery. 

This fishery will open on May 27, 2026 at 0600 hours. Eligible fish harvesters participating in this fishery will be restricted to a daily limit of 454 kg (1,000 lbs) to be fished by either gillnet or handline. Monitoring will be achieved using various measures, including a 100% hail-in requirement in all regions. Additional information related to conditions of licence, will be available through the National Online Licensing System. 

Following the stock assessment and subsequent discussions with the Atlantic Mackerel Advisory Committee, the Department will communicate the 2026 management approach for Atlantic mackerel.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2025-272 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-073 comes into effect on May 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 that in accordance with the soft-shell protocol, the following grids in Crab Fishing Area 4 in NAFO Division 3K will close to fishing Snow Crab and Northern Shrimp at 2400 hours on May 25, 2026 due to a high incidence of soft-shell crab:

Grid AC 38

These grids will be closed to Snow crab fishing for the remainder of the year. Harvesters should note that all gear in these grids must be removed immediately. Gear must be hauled and not reset on your next fishing trip.

The closure for Northern shrimp is in effect for 60 days, and will re-open on July 24, 2026, if the shrimp fishery is open at that time.

Grid quadrant AC 38 is defined as the area bounded by the following coordinates:

50° 40' North, 54° 10' West;
50° 40' North, 54° 00' West;
50° 30' North, 54° 00' West;
50° 30' North, 54° 10' West; 
50° 40' North, 54° 10' West.

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 in accordance with the soft-shell protocol, the following grids in Crab Fishing Area 4 in NAFO Division 3K will close to fishing Snow Crab and Northern Shrimp at 2400 hours on May 25, 2026 due to a high incidence of soft-shell crab:

Grid AC 38

These grids will be closed to Snow crab fishing for the remainder of the year. Harvesters should note that all gear in these grids must be removed immediately. Gear must be hauled and not reset on your next fishing trip.

The closure for Northern shrimp is in effect for 60 days, and will re-open on July 24, 2026, if the shrimp fishery is open at that time.

Grid quadrant AC 38 is defined as the area bounded by the following coordinates:

50° 40' North, 54° 10' West;
50° 40' North, 54° 00' West;
50° 30' North, 54° 00' West;
50° 30' North, 54° 10' West; 
50° 40' North, 54° 10' West.

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 3NOP portion of the Industry-DFO Longline Survey Program for 3NOPs4VWX5Zc Atlantic halibut will open to NL-based participants (Vessel Class A282) on May 22, 2026, at 0600 hours.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-068 has been revoked and Variation Order 2026-071 will come into force on May 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.
 

DFO advises the 3L Lobster fishery in LFA 9B (St. Mary’s Bay) will close 2000 hours July 3, 2026.

Fish harvesters are reminded that all fishing gear must be removed from the water by closing time.

Harvesters are reminded to submit their completed Lobster logbooks as required.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-051 has been revoked and Variation Order 2026-069 comes into effect on May 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.
 

DFO advises anglers that the season dates for the 2026 Atlantic Salmon recreational fishery are:

Insular Newfoundland - June 1 to September 7, 2026

Labrador - June 15 to September 15, 2026

Management Measures:

Anglers will be permitted to retain a total of two salmon, with a maximum of one salmon on Class 2 rivers.

A catch and release limit of three fish per day for all scheduled rivers in Newfoundland and Labrador with the exception of Class 0 rivers. On Class 0 rivers, anglers are permitted to catch and release a maximum of two fish per day.

The retention of salmon on non-scheduled waters is not permitted.

The continuation of a multi-faceted Environmental Protocol. Details are outlined in the 2026-2027 Anglers' Guide.

For additional information, refer to the Fisheries Management Decision online at: Decisions for Atlantic Canada, Quebec and the Arctic - 2026.

Details on the regulations pertaining to retention limits, river classification, closed areas and special management areas are contained in the 2026-2027 Anglers' Guide, which is available in booklet form or on-line at:  Anglers' Guide 2026-2027.

Check out our short video on best practices for catch and release angling: Best practices for catch and release of Atlantic salmon.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-009 has been revoked and Variation Order 2026-070, will come into force on May 22, 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 Atlantic Halibut fishery in NAFO Sub-Division 3Pn, for vessels less than 65 feet using hook and line gear, will close at 1200 hours May 21, 2026 due to incidental catch of Cod exceeding 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.