NOTICE TO FISH HARVESTERS

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 3, will open at 0600 hours on Monday, September 7, 2026. This fishery is open to Vessel class A289 and will close at 2000 hours on September 27, 2026.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2026-166 has been revoked and Variation Order 2026-168 will come into force on September 5, 2026.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 close to the Placentia Bay less than 35’ fixed-gear fleet (Vessel Classes A262, A263, and A264) at 1800 hours September 8, 2026, and will reopen at 0600 hours October 15, 2026.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-158 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-165 will come into force on September 5, 2026.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 NARW Vigilance Advisory is to inform you that North Atlantic right whale(s) have been detected in the area of Conception Bay. 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

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 harvesters that the Atlantic Halibut, Skate, and Monkfish fishery in NAFO divisions 3NO will close on September 2, 2026 at 2000 hours for the following vessel classes:

A251, A254, A257, A260, A263, A266, A269, and A272

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-124 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-166 comes into effect September 1, 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 harvesters that the Atlantic Halibut, Skate, and Monkfish fishery in NAFO divisions 3NO will close on September 2, 2026 at 2000 hours for the following vessel classes:

A251, A254, A257, A260, A263, A266, A269, and A272

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-124 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-166 comes into effect September 1, 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 harvesters that the Atlantic Halibut, Skate, and Monkfish fishery in NAFO divisions 3NO will close on September 2, 2026 at 2000 hours for the following vessel classes:

A251, A254, A257, A260, A263, A266, A269, and A272

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-124 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-166 comes into effect September 1, 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 Herring fixed gear fishery for Gillnet and Trap will open 0600 hours September 2, 2026, for the following:

Herring Fishing Area 3 - White Bay
Herring Fishing Area 4 - Notre Dame Bay
Herring Fishing Area 5 - Bonavista Bay
Herring Fishing Area 6 - Trinity Bay
Herring Fishing Area 7 - Conception Bay
Herring Fishing Area 8 - Southern Shore
Herring Fishing Area 9 - St. Mary's Bay

Fish harvesters are reminded that logbooks are mandatory in these Fixed Gear Herring fisheries.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-082 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-167 comes into effect September 1, 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 Bluefin Tuna fishery in NAFO Divisions 3KLNOP for all vessels will close at 2200 hours on August 29, 2026.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-102 has been revoked and Variation Order 2026-164 comes into effect on August 29, 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 scallop in fishing area 13 is open. Conditions of license identify specific dates, depth and areas within fishing area 13.

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 portion of Scallop Fishing Area 10 (Placentia Bay), inside a line drawn from Point Verde (47°14.33'N, 54°00.94'W) on the east side of the bay, to Red Harbour Head (47°16.59'N, 54°58.58'W) on the west side, will open to commercial scallop fishing September 1, 2026, at 0600 hours. 

DFO reminds harvesters that DMP and hail requirements are mandatory in this fishery. This is in line with the management measures for this fishery.

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.