NOTICE TO FISH HARVESTERS

DFO advises that, for the 2026 fishing season only, the portion of Scallop Fishing Area 11 at Long Harbour Fortune Bay inside Tickle Beach greater than 5 fathoms will open for commercial scallop fishing on August 14, 2026 at 0600 hours.

This is a one-year pilot that will be reviewed in consultation with stakeholders prior to next season.

Harvesters should refer to conditions of license, available in the National Online Licensing System (NOLS), for the exact fishing area coordinates and other conditions of license.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-078 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-130 will come into force on August 06, 2026.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, for the 2026 fishing season only, the portion of Scallop Fishing Area 11 North of 47°00’N westward from McCallum (Headlands) to Burgeo (Mercer’s Point) in water depths greater than 30 fathoms, will open to commercial Iceland scallop fishing on August 14, 2026 at 0600 hours.

This is a one-year pilot that will be reviewed in consultation with stakeholders prior to next season.

Harvesters should refer to conditions of license, available in the National Online Licensing System (NOLS), for the exact fishing area coordinates and other conditions of license.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-078 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-130 will come into force on August 06, 2026.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 commercial Scallop fishery in Area 9 (Inner St. Mary's Bay) in NAFO Division 3L will open at 0600 hours Friday, August 7, 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 2026-078 has been revoked and Variation Order 2026-130 comes into effect on August 6, 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, based on current participation levels and landings in the 2026 2+3K Greenland Halibut (Turbot) fishery, the fishery is tentatively scheduled to close at 2000 hours on Sunday, August 9, 2026.

The Department will continue to closely monitor catch rates and overall harvest activity. Harvesters are advised that an earlier closure may be necessary should quota levels be reached sooner than anticipated.

An update will be provided to harvesters through a Notice to Fishers when the final closure date is confirmed.

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 4R for fixed gear vessels less than 65 feet based in Western NL and Southern Labrador that elected to fish in Period 2, vessel class A288 will now close on August 9, 2026, at 2000 hours.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2026-112 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-124 comes into effect on August 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.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) advises that the 3Ps Shrimp beam trawl fishery in the 3Ps portion of Shrimp Fishing Area (SFA) 7, for vessels less than 65 feet, based in NAFO sub-division 3Ps is open.

Fishing is authorized to begin once licence holders pay their licence fees and receive their licence conditions. Licence fees and licence conditions are currently being uploaded in the National Online Licensing System (NOLS).

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 reminds harvesters that the Bait Season for herring in Herring Fishing Areas 3 to 10 and that portion of Herring Fishing Area 11 from Point Crewe to Western Head, Hare Bay is closed from July 15 to August 15, 2026.

Harvesters are reminded that all bait nets must be removed from the water.

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 Snow Crab fishery in NAFO Division 3LNO will be extended and will now close at 2000 hours on August 14, 2026 in the following areas:

Inshore:
• 5A Inner
• 5A Outer
• 6A Inner 
• 6A Outer 
• 6B Inner 
• 6B Outer
• 6C
• 8A
• 9A Inner 
• 9A Outer
 
Small Supplementary: 
• NS 
• MS 
• 8B 
• 8BxN

Full Time and Large Supplementary: 
• MS 
• MS-EX 
• 3L-EX 
• 3L-200 
• 3N-200

Midshore (>65'): 
• 3NO 200

DFO reminds harvesters that the area of 8BxS closed July 15, 2026.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-100 has been revoked and Variation Order 2026-118 will come into force on July 24, 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.
 

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) is conducting a comprehensive review of the Inshore Regulations and is inviting stakeholders to participate in upcoming engagement sessions.

The purpose of this review is to gather perspectives on the current regulations and better understand:
-    general concerns with the Inshore Regulations;
-    challenges experienced with the current implementation of the regulations and the benefits of having strong regulatory measures;
-    opportunities to improve the regulations; and
-    other issues participants consider important to the review.

The Newfoundland and Labrador engagement session will take place as follows:
-    Date: July 30, 2026 
-    Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
-    Venue: Sheraton Hotel (115 Cavendish Square, St. John’s, NL A1C 3K2)

Stakeholders who are unable to attend the St. John’s session in-person are encouraged to participate virtually in any of the following engagement sessions:

St. John’s, NL Session
Date: July 30, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Meeting link: https://encoreglobal.zoom.us/j/95885981144?pwd=pPWdSJzf5Z0ZJysdBoaXESxDMjndp7.1

Halifax, NS Session
Date: August 18, 2026
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Meeting link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87593363297

Saint John, NB Session
Date: August 20, 2026
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Meeting link: https://encoreglobal.zoom.us/j/98584410459?pwd=fyecSci81jLdz1wsYltsNxTxoFS50I.1

Charlottetown, PE Session
Date: August 25, 2026
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Meeting link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83819535608?pwd=8DSAiaZ4t5BGyBEWUuXwpaE0vwIINm.1

Moncton, NB Session (simultaneous interpretation available)
Date: August 27, 2026
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Meeting link: https://encoreglobal.zoom.us/j/92553042652?pwd=b7Fc2DTLH7Lguw5ONutp5eycWH1vzf.1

Quebec City, QC Session (simultaneous interpretation available)
Date: September 9, 2026
Time: 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Meeting link (EN): https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88357715891?pwd=OWyu5uJFaahKElGRoGNvR9wImDffw8.1
Meeting link (FR): https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82680244955?pwd=37aRmh3QGqII3XzYSR1vWlZdl3NiiC.1

For additional information on the review, including engagement materials, discussion topics, session details, and access to the questionnaire, visit: Comprehensive Review: Strengthening the Inshore Regulations.

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.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) is conducting a comprehensive review of the Inshore Regulations and is inviting stakeholders to participate in upcoming engagement sessions.

The purpose of this review is to gather perspectives on the current regulations and better understand:
- general concerns with the Inshore Regulations;
- challenges experienced with the current implementation of the regulations and the benefits of having strong regulatory measures;
- opportunities to improve the regulations; and
- other issues participants consider important to the review.

The Newfoundland and Labrador engagement session will take place as follows:
- Date: July 30, 2026
- Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Venue: Sheraton Hotel, 115 Cavendish Square, St. John’s, NL A1C 3K2
- Virtual Participation: Meeting link will be provided at a later date.

Stakeholders who are unable to attend the St. John’s session will also have opportunities to participate virtually in engagement sessions being held in other Atlantic Canadian locations and Quebec. Information on these alternative engagement opportunities will be shared at a later date.

For additional information on the review, including engagement materials, discussion topics, session details, and access to the questionnaire, visit: Comprehensive Review: Strengthening the Inshore Regulations.