Entries

DFO advises fish harvesters that fishing licences for 2026 will not be available until February 2026. Those fish harvesters who want to fish during January must first have their 2025 fishing licences amended by a DFO Fishery Officer or a Licensing Officer to extend their licence to February 1, 2026.

Fish harvesters are advised that before the start of any fishing trip in 2026, they are to place a request in NOLS, 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: NLPRI@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

DFO continues to transition to Electronic Logbooks (ELOG) for fisheries catch reporting. This change is to modernize reporting of catch information, improve the accuracy and timeliness of reporting, while supporting compliance with fisheries regulations.

ELOG was rolled out in some Atlantic Canada fisheries last year and will be introduced to additional fisheries in 2026. The following outlines a list of fisheries by region and specifies whether ELOG participation in each fishery is mandatory or voluntary, 

ELOG Implementation by Region

Newfoundland & Labrador
•    Existing Mandatory (no change):
     •    Redfish Unit 1 (Inshore - All Areas)
     •    Lobster (All Areas)
     •    Snow Crab (Mid-shore and Fulltime Fleets)
•    New Mandatory for 2026
     •    Snow Crab (Large Supplementary, Small Supplementary, Supplementary, and NAFO Division 4R Commercial fleets)
•    Existing Voluntary (no change):
     •    Snow Crab (Inshore Fleets – All Areas)
     •    All other fisheries

Maritimes
•    Existing Mandatory (no change):
     •    Redfish Unit 1 (Inshore – All Areas)
     •    Snow Crab 4X (CFA 24W) 
     •    Rock Crab (27, 29, 31A, 31B, 32, 34, 35, 36)
     •    Red Crab (4WX and 5Z)
     •    Jonah Crab (32, 33, 34, 38)
     •    Lobster (28, 29, 30)
•    New Mandatory for 2026:
     •    Snow Crab N-ENS (CFA 20-22), S-ENS (CFA 23), S-ENS (CFA 24) 
     •    Lobster (27, 31A, 31B, 32)
     •    Lobster (33, 34) 
     •    Lobster (35, 36, 38) 
     •    Lobster (38B) 

Gulf
•    Existing Mandatory (no change):
     •    Redfish (Inshore – All Areas)
     •    Lobster (23, 24, 25, 26)
     •    Snow Crab (12(18, 25, 26), 12E, 12F, 19)
•    Existing Voluntary (no change):
     •    Herring (16A-G)
     •    Mackerel
     •    Shrimp (8,9,19)
     •    Bluefin Tuna (4RST and 4Wd)

Quebec
•    Existing Mandatory (no change):
     •    Redfish Unit 1 (Inshore – All Areas)
     •    Herring (All Areas)
     •    Bait Fishing (All Areas)
     •    Lobster (All Areas)
     •    Exploratory Lobster (19A1, 19A2, 19A3, 19B, 19C1, 19C2, 17A, 17B, 18A-18H)
     •    Snow Crab (All Areas)
     •    Mackerel (All Areas)
•    Existing Voluntary (no change):
     •    Redfish (midshore/offshore) (All Areas)
     •    Squid (All Areas)
     •    Sea Urchin (All Areas)
     •    Capelin (All Areas)
     •    Shrimp (All Areas)
     •    Rock Crab (All Areas)
     •    Spider Crab (All Areas)
     •    Bluefin Tuna (No Area Restriction)
     •    Groundfish (All Areas)
     •    Bar Clams (All Areas)
     •    Stimpson’s Surf Clam (All Areas)
     •    Whelk (All Areas)
     •    Scallop (All Areas)
     •    Sea Cucumber (All Areas)
     •    Atlantic Razor Clam (All Areas)

Opportunity for Voluntary Fisheries 
Harvesters in fisheries where ELOG is not yet mandatory can choose to use them voluntarily now where permitted by condition of license. 

Early adoption in voluntary fisheries is encouraged now to ensure a smoother transition when ELOG become mandatory.

What’s Expected of You
•    Mandatory fisheries: Sign up and use an approved ELOG app for all log reporting. 
•    Voluntary fisheries: Start using ELOG now where permitted by condition of licence to get ready for future mandatory implementation.
•    Resources:
     o    Visit the DFO ELOG webpage for instructions and an approved list of apps.
     o    Attend ELOG provider information sessions and DFO pre-season meetings.
     o    Reach out to your ELOG provider if you need help or have questions about using their app.

How you can get help

Answers to questions about the ELOG software application
Questions surrounding the purchase of or support for ELOG software should be directed to the individual application provider. Harvesters are encouraged to visit the company’s website to learn about upcoming training sessions and learning events.

Answers to questions about ELOGs implementation, timelines, process 
Have questions about timelines for ELOGs in your region? Or looking for support in making the switch from paper logbooks? Please contact Fisheries and Oceans Canada directly by:
•    Telephone: 1-877-535-7307
     o    Telephone support is available Monday to Friday (excluding holidays) from 07:00 to 17:00 Eastern Time. Alberta and British Columbia:       support is available until 19:00 Eastern Time.
     o    TTY: 1-800-465-7735
•    Email: fishing-peche@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
     o    Please include your name and the DFO Region in which you are located. E-mails will receive a response within a few business days.

Thank you in advance for your support and cooperation in the continued rollout of ELOGs in eastern Canada.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada advises that the Herring fishery in St. Mary's Bay, Herring Fishing Area 9 and Placentia Bay, Herring Fishing Area 10, for mobile gear vessels in Group A will open at 0600 hours on January 19, 2026.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-004 has been revoked and Variation Order 2026-005 comes into effect on January 16, 2026.

"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

DFO advises that the Mobile Gear (Purse Seine) Herring fishery will close on Monday, January 12, 2026 at 1400 hours in Conception Bay and the Southern Shore (Herring Fishing Areas 7 and 8).

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-001 has been revoked and Variation Order 2026-004 comes into effect at 1300 hours on January 12, 2026.

"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

DFO advises that the directed Atlantic Halibut fishery in NAFO Sub-Division 3Ps will close for fixed gear vessels less than 65 feet using longlines at 2000 hours on January 11, 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 Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-292 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-003 comes into effect on January 10, 2026.

"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.

DFO advises that the commercial Scallop fishery in Area 9 (Inner St. Mary's Bay) in NAFO Division 3L will open at 0600 hours Monday, January 5, 2026 for harvesters in the following Vessel Class: C4701.

Harvesters are reminded that information returns (logbooks) are a requirement for this fishery.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-276 has been revoked and Variation Order 2026-002 comes into effect on January 3, 2026.

"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

Fisheries and Oceans Canada advises that the Herring fishery in St. Mary's Bay, Herring Fishing Area 09 and Placentia Bay, Herring Fishing Area 10, for mobile gear vessels in Group B will open at 0600 hours on January 5, 2026.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-290 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-001 comes into effect on January 01, 2026.

"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.

DFO reminds harvesters that herring fisheries in Herring Fishing Areas (HFAs) 3, 4, 5, 6, 9 and 10 for mobile gear purse seine are closed.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-271 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2025-290 comes into effect at 2359 hours on December 31, 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.

DFO reminds harvesters that fixed gear (barr and tuck seine) herring fisheries in Herring Fishing Areas (HFAs) 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13 and 14 as well as gillnet and trap in HFA 13 are closed.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-270 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2025-289 comes into effect at 2359 hours on December 31, 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.

DFO reminds harvesters that the following Groundfish fisheries are closed for the Newfoundland and Labrador-based fleets for all vessel classes:

•    NAFO Divisions 3NO, 4RST, and Sub-Division 3Pn inshore fixed gear Atlantic halibut fleets, including 3NO inshore fixed gear Maritime vessels.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-288 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-292 will come into effect at 2359 hours on December 31, 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.