NOTICE TO FISH HARVESTERS

DFO advises that at the request of industry, Crab Fishing Area 3C will NOT open on April 19, 2026 as previously announced.  Crab Management Area 3C will now open at 0001 hours on April 26, 2026, for the purpose of travelling to the fishing ground.

Fish harvesters are reminded that they are not authorized to set Crab traps until 6 hours after the Snow Crab fishery season has opened. Therefore, any setting of Crab traps or possession of Crab before 0600 hours on April 26, 2026, is prohibited.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-026 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-036 comes into effect on April 18, 2026.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 4R and 3Pn portions of the Unit 1 Redfish fishery (vessels less than 65 feet) will reopen to NL based harvester with Reserve Allocation for vessel class C435. The fishery will open at 0600 hours on April 18, 2026.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region give notice that Variation Order 2026-030 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-035 comes into force on April 18, 2026.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 who want to participate in the 2026 <65' fixed gear fishery for Greenland Halibut (turbot) in 2+3K or 3LMNO, that they must submit their Expression of Interest to Fisheries and Oceans by 1700 hours, May 3, 2026.

For 2026, NAFO division 2+3K will be managed using permits. The permit amount will be dependent on the number of Expressions of Interests received. The tentative opening for this fishery will be June 15, 2026, and the permit will remain valid for 5 weeks.

A subsequent draw may be conducted for area 2+3K in order to harvest any quota that was not taken during the initial permit period. All expressions of interests will be automatically included in the draw unless otherwise indicated in the expression of interest. Please write "decline draw" in your e-mail if you do not wish to have your name included.

For 2026, NAFO division 3LMNO will be managed by trip limits. The trip limits for 3LMNO will be 65,000 lbs (round weight). The tentative opening for this fishery will be May 20, 2026 and will remain open until the quota has been taken.

Fish harvesters are required to email their Expression of Interest to Resource Management at Kelly.Firmage-OBrien@dfo-mpo.gc.ca 

In your e-mail please include the following:

Name:
FIN:
Address:
Phone #:
E-mail address:
VRN#:
Area selected: 2+3K or 3LMNO or Both areas
For 2+3K: Do you wish to be included in the draw? Yes or No

A valid e-mail address must be included in the application as all future correspondence will be conducted by email. 

Late applications will not be accepted.

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 directly to you by email, please contact: NLPRI@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO advises of the following 3L lobster area opening and closing dates:

Note all opening times are 0600 hours and all closing times are 2000 hours.

LFA 5 (Bonavista Bay): May 8, 2026 to July 13, 2026
LFA 6 (Trinity Bay): April 27, 2026 to July 9, 2026
LFA 7 (Conception Bay): May 3, 2026 to July 8, 2026
LFA 8 (Southern Shore): May 1, 2026 to July 5, 2026
LFA 9A (Trepassey Bay): May 7, 2026 to July 4, 2026
LFA 9B (St. Mary's Bay): April 23, 2026 to June 3, 2026

Harvesters are reminded that they are not permitted to retrieve fishing gear or possess lobsters during the initial 48 hour gear-setting period after the opening date.

Harvesters are also reminded they are permitted to harvest bait for the lobster fishery as per the conditions of their bait licence.

Licence fees and licence conditions will soon be available in the National Online Licensing System (NOLS).

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-033 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-034 will come into force on April 17, 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 of the following 3K lobster area opening and closing dates:

Note all opening times are 0600 hours and all closing times are 2000 hours.

LFA 3 (White Bay): May 12, 2026 to July 15, 2026
LFA 4A (Notre Dame Bay West): May 16, 2026 to July 11, 2026
LFA 4B (Notre Dame Bay East): May 9, 2026 to July 4, 2026

Harvesters are reminded that they are not permitted to retrieve fishing gear or possess lobsters during the initial 48 hour gear-setting period after the opening date.

Harvesters are also reminded they are permitted to harvest bait for the lobster fishery as per the conditions of their bait licence.

Licence fees and licence conditions will soon be available in the National Online Licensing System (NOLS).

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-033 has been revoked and Variation Order 2026-034 will come into force on April 17, 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 Lobster Fishing Area 12 will open April 18, 2026, at 0600 hours and close on June 27, 2026, at 2000 hours.

Harvesters are reminded that they are not permitted to retrieve fishing gear or possess lobsters during the initial 48-hour gear-setting period after the opening date.

Harvesters are also reminded they are permitted to harvest bait for the lobster fishery as per the conditions of their bait license.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-032 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-033 will come into force on April 16, 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 Lobster Fishing Area 11 East (East of Western Head, Hare Bay) will open April 18, 2026, at 0600 hours and close June 21, 2026, at 2000 hours.

Harvesters are reminded that they are not permitted to retrieve fishing gear or possess lobsters during the initial 48-hour gear-setting period after the opening date.

Harvesters are also reminded they are permitted to harvest bait for the lobster fishery as per the conditions of their bait license.

Harvesters in LFA 11 are reminded that the portion of Lobster Fishing Area 11 (Penguin Islands) bounded by lines connecting the following points remains closed:

Point North Latitude West Longitude
1. 47° 22' 01.8" N 57° 01' 01.0" W
2. 47° 23' 48.6" N 57° 01' 01.0" W
3. 47° 23' 53.2" N 57° 56' 54.5" W
4. 47° 22' 01.8" N 57° 56' 54.5" W.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-277 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-032 will come into force on April 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 3Ps harvesters that the Scallop Fishery will open South of 47°00’ N: Outer Bay areas in SFA 10 and 11, at 0600 hours on April 15, 2026.

Fish harvesters are reminded that fishing is not permitted in the Middle bed, Southern bed, Core Area or the North Bed. These areas are defined in your licence conditions.

The North Bed and Core Area will open at a later date. A permit is required to fish the North Bed and Core Area.

Fish harvesters are reminded of VMS requirements as outlined in licence conditions.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region, gives notice that Variation Order 2026-002 has been revoked and Variation Order 2026-031 comes into effect on April 14, 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 is advising Unit 1 Redfish harvesters that the spring spawning closure effective since April 1 has been lifted for the remainder of the 2025-26 fishing season. The Redfish commercial fishery will open April 10, 2026, at 2359 hours ADT until May 14, 2026 at 2359 hours ADT, in the following NAFO areas - Divisions 4RST, Subdivision 4Vn, Subdivision 3Pn. 

To mitigate the risk of Atlantic Cod bycatch during a known seasonal aggregation period, the targeted area closure in portions of NAFO Divisions 4T and 4Vn announced February 24, 2026, remains in effect until May 14, 2026. This closure applies to all fleets and is intended to reduce the likelihood of bycatch events during the early spring period.

Previously established spatial closures as per 2025-26 Conservation Harvesting Plans (CHPs) remain in place. Other targeted fishery closures may be implemented if applicable bycatch caps or allocations are reached.

Until May 14, 2026, a 50% at-sea observer (ASO) coverage requirement applies to all vessels under 30.48 metres (100 feet) participating in the Unit 1 Redfish fishery. A 100% ASO coverage requirement continues to apply to all vessels over 30.48 metres (100 feet). This measure is intended to mitigate risks related to bycatch, unauthorized discards and to ensure accurate catch reporting. Other monitoring requirements and management measures remain in place, and continue to apply, as per the 2025-26 CHP.

Harvesters are responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable licence conditions, closures, and monitoring requirements. 

Fish harvesters wishing to participate in this fishery must apply for their Conditions of Licence through the National Online Licensing System (NOLS).

For assistance with the National Online Licensing System, please contact customer support by phone at 1-877-535-7307 or by email at fishing-peche@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-024 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-030 comes into force at 1900 hours NDT on April 10, 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 herring (purse seine) fishery for Trinity Bay (Herring Fishing Area 6) will close at 2300 hours on April 8, 2026.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-027 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-029 comes into force at 2000 hours on April 8, 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.