NOTICE TO FISH HARVESTERS

DFO advises that in 2026, fishers will receive notification of all species quota reconciliation amounts both by mail and by email.

Beginning in 2027, all quota reconciliation notifications will be sent by email only.

Harvesters are reminded to ensure their contact information, including email address, is up to date in 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 advises that the Mobile Gear (Purse Seine) Herring fishery will open by permit only on February 11, 2026 at 0600 hours and close on February 17, 2026 at 2200 hours in St. Mary’s Bay (Herring Fishing Area 9) and Placentia Bay (Herring Fishing Area 10).

Licence conditions can be obtained through DFO's National On-line Licencing System for those harvesters who have been contacted for the above date.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2026-011 has been revoked and Variation Order 2026-012 comes into effect on February 11, 2026.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: NLPRI@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 A will close at 1800 hours on February 6, 2026.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-005 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-011 comes into effect at 1600 hours on February 6, 2026.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: NLPRI@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

As announced in Notice to Fishers nf.26.006, electronic Logbooks (ELOGs) will continue to be mandatory for Newfoundland and Labrador commercial lobster harvesters, the fulltime and mid-shore snow crab fleets, and Unit 1 redfish harvesters.   

DFO will hold virtual ELOG education sessions for harvesters in the above noted fisheries/fleets to review ELOG requirements and best practices, address common errors encountered during the 2025 season, and provide an opportunity for questions.  

Sessions will be held by NAFO area on the following dates:   

2J3K: Wednesday, February 11 at 10:00 am NST   
3L: Wednesday, February 11 at 2:00 pm NST
4R3P: Thursday, February 12 at 10:00 am NST 

Harvesters are requested to confirm their attendance by emailing Kailey.Noonan@dfo-mpo.gc.ca. Please include your fishery/fleet and specify the date and time of the session you wish to attend. Upon confirmation, a link to the virtual meeting will be provided.

"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.

As announced in Notice to Fisher nf.26.006, electronic logbooks (ELOGs) will continue to be mandatory for Newfoundland and Labrador commercial lobster harvesters, the fulltime and mid-shore snow crab fleets, and Unit 1 Redfish harvesters.

DFO will hold virtual ELOG education sessions for harvesters in the above noted fisheries/fleets to review ELOG requirements and best practices, address common errors encountered during the 2025 season, and provide an opportunity for questions.

Sessions will be held by NAFO area on the following dates:

2J3K: Wednesday, February 11 at 10:00 am
3L: Wednesday, February 11 at 2:00 pm
4R3P: Thursday, February 12 at 10:00 am

Harvesters are requested to confirm their attendance by emailing kailey.noonan@dfo-mpo.gc.ca. Please include your fishery/fleet and specify the data and time of the session you wish to attend. Upon confirmation, a link to the virtual session will be provided.

"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 wishes to advise Crab Harvesters that Area Selection applications are available for Crab Fishing Area 11E (Inner or Outer/Bob’s Rock areas). Harvesters can request an application through the National Online Licensing System (NOLS).

Please note: Area Selection Applications only need to be completed if you are looking to move areas.

If you do not fill out the form you will remain in the area you were licensed for in 2025.

Please upload completed application to the National Online Licensing System (NOLS) by the deadline date.

COMPLETED APPLICATIONS MUST BE UPLOADED TO THE NATIONAL ONLINE LICENCING SYSTEM AND RECEIVED BY CLOSE OF BUSINESS DAY FEBRUARY 20, 2026.

Submission of the application does not indicate approval. The final decision will be communicated through the National Online Licensing System (NOLS) via appropriate documentation.

"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 wishes to advise Crab Harvesters that Area Selection applications are available for Crab Fishing Area 10A. Harvesters can request an application through the National Online Licensing System (NOLS).

Please note: Area Selection Applications only need to be completed if you are looking to move areas.

If you do not fill out the form you will remain in the area you were licensed for in 2025.

Please upload completed application to the National Online Licensing System (NOLS) by the deadline date.

NOTE: COMPLETED APPLICATIONS MUST BE UPLOADED TO THE NATIONAL ONLINE LICENCING SYSTEM AND RECEIVED BY CLOSE OF BUSINESS DAY FEBRUARY 20, 2026.

Submission of the application does not indicate approval. The final decision will be communicated through the National Online Licensing System (NOLS) via appropriate documentation.

"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.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) wishes to advise that an in-person Outreach Meeting will be held as follows.

NAFO Division 4R
Wednesday - February 11, 2026, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Northern Lights Inn - L’anse au Clair

These meetings are intended to provide inshore harvesters and other interested stakeholders an opportunity to engage in open dialogue regarding matters of concern related to the inshore fisheries.

For further information, please contact your local DFO office.

"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 wishes to advise Crab Harvesters that Area Selection Applications are available for the following inshore Crab Fishing Areas 5A, 6A, and 6B. Harvesters can obtain an application by contacting the area licencing center or detachment office by phone or e-mail.

Applications can also be requested from the National Online Licencing System (NOLS).

Please note: Area Selection Applications only need to be completed if you are looking to move areas.

If you do not fill out the form you will remain in the area you were licensed for in 2025.

Applications must be received by close of business day on February 20, 2026.

Applications can be returned by email to: kelly.firmage-obrien@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

"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.

As announced in Notice to Fishers nf.26.006, beginning in the 2026 season, electronic logbooks (ELOGs) will be mandatory for the following Snow crab fleets in the Newfoundland and Labrador Region:  

- Large supplementary  
- Small supplementary  
- Supplementary   
- 4R Commercial   

DFO will hold virtual onboarding sessions for harvesters in the above noted fleets to provide details on the 2026 mandatory ELOG requirement. Sessions will be held by NAFO area on the following dates:   

- 2J3K: Wednesday, February 4 at 10:00 am  
- 3L: Wednesday, February 4 at 2:00 pm  
- 4R3P: Thursday, February 5 at 10:00 am   

Harvesters are asked to confirm attendance by emailing Kailey.Noonan@dfo-mpo.gc.ca . Please include your fleet/fishery and specify the date and time of the session you wish to attend. Upon confirmation, a link to the virtual meeting will be provided.  

Electronic logbooks will remain voluntary for all inshore snow crab harvesters in 2026, with mandatory use planned for 2027. DFO will hold information sessions for inshore Snow crab harvesters in the fall of 2026 and will share details at a later date.

"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.