NOTICE TO FISH HARVESTERS

DFO advises that the details of the 2026 and 2027 management measures for the 4RST Capelin fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador are now available at:

Fisheries Management Decision 2026 and 2027 Capelin in NAFO Divisions 4RST

Décision de gestion des pêches 2026-2027 Pêche du capelan dans les divisions 4RST de l’OPANO

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 fishery in NAFO sub-Division 3Pn, for vessels less than 65 feet using hook and line gear, will reopen at 0600 hours on May 14, 2026.

DFO will monitor fishing activity and will close the fishery if the incidental catch of Cod exceeds the established protocols.

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 Scallop fishery in Scallop Fishing Area 14A (Ferolle Point to Cape Bauld) will open May 13, 2026 at 0600 hours.

Fish harvesters are reminded that for quota monitoring purposes, the north and south quota management areas are divided at 51 degrees 25 minute North latitude.

Fish harvesters are reminded that they must have at-sea observer coverage services arranged before commencing fishing.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2026-047 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-059 comes into effect on May 13, 2026.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 fishery for Atlantic Halibut in NAFO Division 3NO, for vessel classes A348 and C0897 (Maritimes) using longline will open on May 13, 2026 at 0600 hours.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-045 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-061 comes into effect on May 13, 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 Lumpfish fishery will open at 0600 hours on May 14, 2026 and close on July 2, 2026 at 2000hrs in a portion of NAFO Division 4R from Ferolle Point to Cape Bauld.

Fishing for Lumpfish is authorized in water depths less than 25 fathoms.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-282 has been revoked and Variation Order 2026-060 comes into effect on May 13 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 2+3KLMNO Mobile Gear Greenland Halibut (Turbot) fishery will open at 0600 hours on May 15th, 2026 for vessel class C175. 

Conditions of license are available through the National Online Licensing System (NOLS).

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2026-022 has been revoked and Variation Order 2026-058 comes into effect on May 13, 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 open to inshore fixed gear fleets at 0600 hours on May 15, 2026.

DFO wishes to remind inshore fixed-gear harvesters that as outlined in their conditions of licence, all cod caught, whether from directed catch or by-catch, will be charged against the harvester’s IQ for their licence in 3Ps. Once a harvester has caught their cod IQ, whether it is a result of directed fishing or as by-catch, the harvester must cease fishing for all species of groundfish in 3Ps for the remainder of the year.

DFO will closely monitor landings from the directed 3Ps cod fishery. This fishery may close to the individual inshore fixed-gear fleets once they reach their respective fleet allocations and will close to the entire inshore fixed-gear sector once the sector’s allocation is reached.

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 will open at 0600 hours on May 15, 2026, for 2J (South) and will close at 2400 hours on July 11, 2026.

Fish harvesters are reminded that they are not authorized to set Crab traps until 72 hours after the Snow Crab fishery season has opened. Therefore, any setting of Crab traps or possession of Crab before 0600 hours on May 18, 2026 is prohibited.

License fees and license conditions are available through the National Online Licensing System (NOLS).

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-050 has been revoked and Variation Order 2026-057 will come into force on May 12, 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 fish harvesters of the following opening and closing lobster fishing areas:

LFA 14B (Point Riche to Big Brook) will open at 0600 hours on May 10, 2026 and close at 2000 hours on July 7, 2026;

LFA 14C (Big Brook to Cape Bauld) will open at 0600 hours on May 16, 2026 and close at 2000 hours on July 13, 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.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-048 has been revoked and Variation Order 2026-051 comes into effect on May 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.
 

DFO advises fish harvesters that the Snow crab fishery in Crab Fishing Area 12D will close at 2000 hours on May 10, 2026.

All gear must be removed from the water by closing time.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-043 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-050 will come into force on May 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.