NOTICE TO FISH HARVESTERS

DFO advises that the Fixed Gear (Barr/Tuck Seine) Herring fishery will close on October 21, 2026, at 1200 hours in NAFO Division 2J (HFA 1 and 2).

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region give notice that Variation Order 2026-177 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-179 comes into force at 1000 hours on October 21, 2026.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 directed Cod fishery in NAFO sub-Division 3Ps will reopen to the Placentia Bay less than 35’ fixed-gear fleet (Vessel Classes A262, A263, and A264) at 0600 hours October 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.

DFO advises that the Atlantic Halibut hook and line (long line) fishery in NAFO Divisions 4RST, for fixed gear vessels less than 65 feet based in Western NL and Southern Labrador that elected to fish in Period 4, will open at 0600 hours on October 12, 2026. This fishery is open to Vessel class A291 and will close at 2000 hours on November 1, 2026.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2026-174 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-178 will come into force on October 9, 2026.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.

This North Atlantic right whale (NARW) Vigilance Advisory is to inform you that North Atlantic right whale(s) have been detected in the area of Conception Bay (Holyrood).  As per the 2026 fisheries management measures for the protection of North Atlantic right whale, this detection DOES NOT trigger a fishing prohibition.

We ask that harvesters fishing in the vicinity of this detection operate with heightened caution and maintain increased vigilance.

In the event of accidental contact between your vessel and/or fishing gear and any marine mammal, including a North Atlantic right whale, report the event to DFO using the Marine Mammal Interaction Reporting Form as specified under your conditions of licence and required under s.39 of the Marine Mammal Regulations of the Fisheries Act.

What to do if you see a North Atlantic right whale:

If you see a free-swimming North Atlantic right whale, report it as soon as possible (ideally the same day or shortly after) to: DFO.GLFWhales-BaleinesGLF.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca and include the following details in your report: 

•    GPS location (latitude and longitude) 
•    Date and time of the sighting 
•    Number of whales observed 
•    Behaviour (for example: feeding, travelling, diving) 
•    Description of animal, highlighting unique markings or features

If possible, photographs and video of the animal, especially of the tail, flukes, and flippers. Please ensure you are complying with the requirements of the Marine Mammal Regulations (minimum approach distances) and taking photos from a safe location using your camera’s zoom function.

If you see an injured, stranded, entangled or dead North Atlantic right whale, please contact:  

Whale Release and Strandings
1-888-895-3003
Email:  whales@nl.rogers.com

Be prepared to note: 
•    Date, time, and location (lat./long.) of animal 
•    Behaviours of the animal observed 
•    Entangling gear, if present 
•    Visible injuries 
 
Keep your distance and follow the Marine Mammal Regulations.

Do not touch or move an animal yourself because: 
•    you may accidentally harm it or yourself 
•    it may carry diseases that could transfer to you 
 
Please see Watching marine wildlife for more information.

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 tuck/barr seine herring fishery for NAFO Division 2J (Herring Fishing Areas 1 - 2) will open at 0600 hours on October 10, 2026, and close at 1800 hours on October 30th, 2026. 

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region give notice that Variation Order 2026-172 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-177 comes into force on October 7, 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 wishes to remind harvesters that Section 61 of the Fisheries Act requires all fishing logs to be completed and submitted to DFO. Please refer to the requirements set out in Schedule 4 of the 2026 commercial fishing licence.

Instructions on how to complete a general log can be found with examples at the beginning of the general logbook.  For further information and questions, harvesters can contact the Email as per Fisher Homeports below.

Logbooks must be returned to the appropriate Area Office according to your homeport.

The addresses for the area offices are as follows:

Homeports in NAFO Division 3L
(Newtown, Bonavista Bay to Point Lance)
Area Statistics Office
Client Service Centre
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
P.O. Box 5667
St. John’s NL A1C 5X1
mailto:AreaStats-StJohns@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
StatsSecteur-StJohns@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

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Homeports in NAFO Divisions 2G, 2H, 2J
(Cape Chidley to Lodge Bay)
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
P.O. Box 7003, STN C
Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL A0P 1C0
mailto:AreaStats-GrandFalls@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
StatsSecteur-GrandFalls@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

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Homeports in NAFO Divisions  3K
( Belle Isle to Cape Freels South)
Area Statistics Office
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
4A Bayley Street, Suite 200
Grand Falls – Windsor, NL A2A 2T5
mailto:AreaStats-GrandFalls@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
StatsSecteur-GrandFalls@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

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Homeports in NAFO Divisions 3PS, 3PN, & 4R
(St. Brides to Noddy Bay & L’Anse Au Claire to Cape St. Charles)
Area Statistics Office
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
1 Regent Square
Corner Brook, NL A2H 7K6
mailto:AreaStats-CornerBrook@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
StatsSecteur-CornerBrook@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

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 Witch flounder (Greysole) fishery for vessels less than 65 feet, using Danish seine (vessel classes C50 and C351), will close in NAFO sub-Division 4Rd - from a line drawn due west of Cape Ray, north to a line drawn due west of Cape St. George on October 2, 2026 at 2000 hours.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-106 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-176 comes into effect on October 2, 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 Mobile Gear (Purse Seine) Herring fishery will open on September 25, 2026 at 0600 hours in White Bay and Notre Dame Bay (Herring Fishing Areas 3 and 4).

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-093 has been revoked and Variation Order 2026-175 comes into force on September 25, 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 Atlantic Halibut hook and line (long line) in NAFO Divisions 4R, for fixed gear vessels less than 65 feet based in Western NL and Southern Labrador that elected to fish in Period 3, vessel class A289 will now close on October 4th, 2026 at 2000 hours.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2026-168 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-174 comes into effect on September 25, 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 that new temporary licences are available for the Sea urchin fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador. Independent Core Enterprise holders and Newfoundland and Labrador Indigenous groups are eligible to apply.
 
Temporary licences are available in the following Sea Urchin Fishing Areas:
NAFO Division 2J – Area 2
NAFO Division 3K – Area 3
NAFO Division 3L – Areas 7, 8, and 9
NAFO Sub-Division 3Ps – Areas 10 and 11
NAFO Sub-Division 3Pn – Area 12
NAFO Division 4R – Areas 13 and 14

Application & Draw Process: 
Eligible licence holders interested in applying for a temporary licence must submit an expression of interest application by 1700 hours, September 30, 2026. If the number of eligible applications exceeds the number of available temporary licences for each Sea Urchin Fishing Area, DFO will conduct a random draw to select recipients and establish an eligibility list. Only eligible applicants will be entered into the draw. 

Applications received after the deadline will not be eligible.

To submit an Expression of Interest, please email  Terri.Healey@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
And include the following information in your email:
Name:
FIN:
Address:
Phone #:
E-mail address:
VRN#:
Selected Area: (Must be the area of your homeport). 

A valid e-mail address must be provided, as all future correspondence will be issued through email.
 
Harvesters who previously held a Sea Urchin temporary licence and had recorded landings from the 2020 to 2025 fishing seasons do not need to reapply. Their names will automatically be included in the 2026 temporary licence process.

Those who receive a temporary licence will be required to demonstrate landings within the first two years (2026 and 2027), after which they will have their licences extended for three additional years to 2030. Those who do not meet landing requirements will not have their licence renewed, and that licence  will be offered to the next harvester on the eligibility list.

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.