NOTICE TO FISH HARVESTERS

DFO wishes to remind inshore crab harvesters in Crab Fishing Areas 3B (White Bay) and 3C (Green Bay) in NAFO Division 3K that applications for CFA 3BC are now available.

Harvesters can obtain an application by contacting the area licencing center by phone or e-mail. Applications can also be requested from the National Online Licensing System (NOLS).

Applications must be returned by close of business on March 6, 2026.

Return applications by email to: kelly.firmage-obrien@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 Unit 2 Redfish fishery will close to the <65' mobile gear fleet based in 3Ps, Vessel Class C151, on March 3, 2026, at 0600 hours. The quota for this fleet is expected to be taken by closing time.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region give notice that Variation Order 2026-015 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-016 comes into force on March 3, 2026.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 all fleets at 2400 hours on February 28, 2026.

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

This closure applies to all vessel classes.

Fish harvesters are reminded to return their Inshore Fixed Gear Logbooks after the conclusion of fishing operations.

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 open to NL based harvester with Reserve Allocation for vessel class C435. The fishery will open at 0600 hours on February 26, 2026.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region give notice that Variation Order 2025-291 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-015 comes into force on February 26, 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) is advising harvesters participating in the Unit 1 directed redfish fishery that a conservation area closure will be implemented in parts of NAFO Division 4T and Subdivision 4Vn to reduce Atlantic cod bycatch in known winter aggregation areas. This closure applies to all fleets and will take effect starting February 24, 2026 at 14:00 and until March 31, 2026 at 23:59.  

Directed fishing for redfish is prohibited in the area enclosed by the following coordinates during the closure period: 

NAFO Division 4T Closed Area 
1.    47° 58' 05.8" N;  60° 51' 23.0" W 
2.    47° 57' 56.6" N;  60° 43' 21.0" W 
3.    47° 41' 09.1" N;  60° 16' 05.9" W 
4.    47° 35' 05.4" N;  60° 07' 48.4" W 
5.    47° 08' 49.7" N;  60° 21' 28.1" W 
6.    47° 11' 40.4" N;  60° 25' 32.2" W 
7.    47° 22' 27.6" N;  60° 25' 00.8" W 
8.    47° 54' 19.3" N;  60° 51' 32.4" W 
9.    47° 58' 05.8" N;  60° 51' 23.0" W 

NAFO Division 4Vn Closed Area 
1.    47° 35' 05.4" N;  60° 07' 48.4" W 
2.    47° 21' 33.7" N;  59° 49' 18.1" W 
3.    46° 50' 17.7" N;  59° 51' 09.4" W 
4.    46° 50' 24.1" N;  59° 55' 04.8" W 
5.    47° 08' 49.7" N;  60° 21' 28.1" W 
6.    47° 35' 05.4" N;  60° 07' 48.4" W

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.

Fish harvesters are invited to participate in upcoming in-person engagement sessions on the development of the Canadian Ghost Gear Action Plan. These sessions will provide an opportunity to contribute meaningful input into the Action Plan’s development. Participation from fish harvesters is essential to ensure that any measures considered for implementation are both practical and effective.

March 17, 2026 9:00–11:00 a.m.  Motel Deer Lake, Deer Lake 
March 17, 2026 3:00–5:00 p.m.  Mount Peyton Hotel, Grand Falls-Windsor    
March 18, 2026 1:00–3:00 p.m.  Clarenville Inn, Clarenville 
March 19, 2026 1:00–3:00 p.m.  Hampton Inn & Suites, St. John's        
            
For more information or to register for these sessions, please contact DFO.GGNLRegion-EFRegiondeTNL.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca. Please indicate which session you would like to attend.

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 both the Commercial fishery and Personal Use fishery for Harp seals and Hooded seals will close in all areas to all seal harvesters and all fleets based in Newfoundland and Labrador at 1800 hours on March 1, 2026.

This is the annual closure to allow time for Seal whelping and nursing.

Re-opening dates for the 2026 season for these Seal fisheries, in both the Gulf and on the Front, will be announced at a later date.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2025-036 has been revoked and Variation Order 2026-014 comes into effect on February 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.

DFO wishes to advise Area 3K and 3L Inshore snow crab harvesters that the 2026 buddy-up application is available through the National Online Licensing System (NOLS).
 
PLEASE NOTE: COMPLETED APPLICATIONS MUST BE UPLOADED TO THE NATIONAL ONLINE LICENCING SYSTEM.  APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED AND APPROVED PRIOR TO THE START OF THE SEASON.

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 advise inshore crab harvesters in Crab Fishing Areas 3B (White Bay) and 3C (Green Bay) in NAFO Division 3K that applications for CFA 3BC are now available.

Harvesters can obtain an application by contacting the area licencing center by phone or e-mail. Applications can also be requested from the National Online Licensing System (NOLS).

Applications must be returned by close of business on March 6, 2026.

Return applications by email to: kelly.firmage-obrien@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 wishes to remind Crab Harvesters that Area Selection Applications are available for the following inshore Crab Fishing Areas 5A, 6A, and 6B. Harvesters can obtain an application by contacting the area licencing center or detachment office by phone or e-mail.

Applications can also be requested from the National Online Licensing System (NOLS).

Please note: Area Selection Applications only need to be completed if you are looking to move areas.

If you do not fill out the form you will remain in the area you were licensed for in 2025.

Applications must be received by close of business day on February 20, 2026.

Applications can be returned by email to: kelly.firmage-obrien@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.