Fishery General

DFO advises fish harvesters that fishing licences for 2026 will not be available until after the first few weeks of January 2026. Those fish harvesters who want to fish during the first weeks of January 2026 must first have their 2025 fishing licences amended by a DFO Fishery Officer or a Licensing Officer to extend their licence to January 25, 2026.

Fish harvesters are advised that before the start of any fishing trip in 2026, they are to place a request in NOLS (https://fishing-peche.dfo-mpo.gc.ca), with a copy of their 2025 Licence Document attached for a Licensing Officer to amend the licence end date. This will allow harvesters to continue fishing while they are awaiting their 2026 licence through the National Online Licensing System (NOLS).

"Notices to Fish Harvesters" for all commercial fisheries are now available online under the Fishery Notices link on the DFO NL 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: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) wishes to remind that in-person Outreach Meetings will be held throughout the Region in the coming weeks.

These meetings are intended to provide inshore harvesters and other interested stakeholders an opportunity to engage in open dialogue regarding matters of concern related to the inshore fisheries.

NAFO Division 3PS

Tuesday, November 18, 2025 – Placentia, Placentia Cultural Arts Centre: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM

Wednesday, November 19, 2025 – Grand Bank, Burin Peninsula Hotel – Dining Room: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM

Thursday, November 20, 2025 – Hermitage, Community Centre – Fire Dept Room: 1:00–3:00 PM

For further information, please contact your local DFO office.

"Notices to Fish Harvesters" for all commercial fisheries are now available online under the Fishery Notices link on the DFO NL 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: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) wishes to advise that the following in-person Outreach Meetings will be rescheduled for the following times:

NAFO Division 3L
Thursday, November 13, 2025 – Branch, Branch Community Center: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Thursday, November 13, 2025 – Renews, Town Hall: 6:00–8:00 PM

These meetings are intended to provide inshore harvesters and other interested stakeholders an opportunity to engage in open dialogue regarding matters of concern related to the inshore fisheries.

"Notices to Fish Harvesters" for all commercial fisheries are now available online under the Fishery Notices link on the DFO NL 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: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans would like to advise that the in-person Outreach meeting in Renews, for November 4, 2025, is postponed and will be rescheduled at a later date.

"Notices to Fish Harvesters" for all commercial fisheries are now available online under the Fishery Notices link on the DFO NL 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: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) wishes to advise that in-person Outreach Meetings will be held throughout the Region in the coming weeks.

These meetings are intended to provide inshore harvesters and other interested stakeholders an opportunity to engage in open dialogue regarding matters of concern related to the inshore fisheries.

NAFO Division 3L

Monday, November 3, 2025 – Dildo, SUF Hall: 2:00–4:00 PM

Tuesday, November 4, 2025 – Branch, Branch Community Center: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM

Tuesday, November 4, 2025 – Renews, Town Hall: 6:00–8:00 PM

Wednesday, November 5, 2025 – Bay De Verde, Town Hall: 1:00–3:00 PM

Thursday, November 6, 2025 – Salvage, 50+ Club: 1:00–3:00 PM

NAFO Division 3PS

Tuesday, November 18, 2025 – Placentia, Placentia Cultural Arts Centre: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM

Wednesday, November 19, 2025 – Grand Bank, Burin Peninsula Hotel – Dining Room: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM

Thursday, November 20, 2025 – Hermitage, Community Centre – Fire Dept Room: 1:00–3:00 PM

For further information, please contact your local DFO office.

"Notices to Fish Harvesters" for all commercial fisheries are now available online under the Fishery Notices link on the DFO NL 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: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) wishes to advise that in-person Outreach Meetings will be held throughout the Region in the coming weeks.

These meetings are intended to provide inshore harvesters and other interested stakeholders an opportunity to engage in open dialogue regarding matters of concern related to the inshore fisheries.

NAFO Division 3K

Monday, October 27, 2025 – Carmenville, Recreation Center: 2:00–4:00 PM

Tuesday, October 28, 2025 – Robert's Arm, Town Hall: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM

Thursday, October 30, 2025 – St. Anthony, Lions Club: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM

Thursday, October 30, 2025 – Roddickton-Bide Arm, Cross Country Arena: 3:00–5:00 PM

NAFO Division 3L

Monday, November 3, 2025 – Dildo, SUF Hall: 2:00–4:00 PM

Tuesday, November 4, 2025 – Branch, Branch Community Center: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM

Tuesday, November 4, 2025 – Renews, Town Hall: 6:00–8:00 PM

Wednesday, November 5, 2025 – Bay De Verde, Town Hall: 1:00–3:00 PM

Thursday, November 6, 2025 – Salvage, 50+ Club: 1:00–3:00 PM

NAFO Divisions 4R3Pn

Monday, October 27, 2025 – Stephenville, Day’s Inn: 1:00–3:00 PM

Tuesday, October 28, 2025 – Rocky Harbour, Fisherman’s Landing: 1:00–3:00 PM

Wednesday, October 29, 2025 – Plum Point, Plum Point Motel: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM

NAFO Division 3PS

Tuesday, November 18, 2025 – Placentia, Placentia Cultural Arts Centre: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM

Wednesday, November 19, 2025 – Grand Bank, Burin Peninsula Hotel – Dining Room: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM

Thursday, November 20, 2025 – Hermitage, Community Centre – Fire Dept Room: 1:00–3:00 PM

NAFO Division 2J

Monday, October 27, 2025 – Cartwright, 50 Plus Club: 1:00–4:00 PM

Monday, October 27, 2025 – Port Hope Simpson, Alexis Hotel Dining Room: 6:00–8:00 PM

Tuesday, October 28, 2025 – Mary’s Harbour, Recreation Commission: 9:00 AM–12:00 PM

Tuesday, October 28, 2025 – St. Lewis, Town Hall: 2:00–4:00 PM

Wednesday, October 29, 2025 – Charlottetown, Town Hall: 9:00 AM–12:00 PM

For further information, please contact your local DFO office.

"Notices to Fish Harvesters" for all commercial fisheries are now available online under the Fishery Notices link on the DFO NL 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: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is conducting research to better understand the impacts of abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG), commonly referred to as Ghost Gear, on commercial fish stocks and the environment. DFO has developed an anonymous survey to better understand the types of fishing gear commonly lost, the causes of loss, and the practices used to avoid loss.   

Survey: Capture Fishing Survey

Please complete the survey by Wednesday, October 29. There is no personal information collected in the survey. It should take about 20 minutes to complete. Thank you for completing this survey.

"Notices to Fish Harvesters" for all commercial fisheries are now available online under the Fishery Notices link on the DFO NL 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: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca 
 

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) wishes to advise that in-person Outreach Meetings will be held throughout the Region in the coming weeks.

These meetings are intended to provide inshore harvesters and other interested stakeholders an opportunity to engage in open dialogue regarding matters of concern related to the inshore fisheries.

NAFO Division 3K
Monday, October 27, 2025 – Carmenville, Recreation Center: 2:00–4:00 PM
Tuesday, October 28, 2025 – Robert's Arm, Town Hall: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Thursday, October 30, 2025 – St. Anthony, Lions Club: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Thursday, October 30, 2025 – Roddickton-Bide Arm, Cross Country Arena: 3:00–5:00 PM

NAFO Division 3L
Monday, November 3, 2025 – Dildo, SUF Hall: 2:00–4:00 PM
Tuesday, November 4, 2025 – Branch, Branch Community Center: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Tuesday, November 4, 2025 – Renews, Town Hall: 6:00–8:00 PM
Wednesday, November 5, 2025 – Bay De Verde, Town Hall: 1:00–3:00 PM
Thursday, November 6, 2025 – Salvage, 50+ Club: 1:00–3:00 PM

NAFO Divisions 4R3Pn
Monday, October 27, 2025 – Stephenville, Day’s Inn: 1:00–3:00 PM
Tuesday, October 28, 2025 – Rocky Harbour, Fisherman’s Landing: 1:00–3:00 PM
Wednesday, October 29, 2025 – Plum Point, Plum Point Motel: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM

NAFO Division 3PS
Tuesday, November 18, 2025 – Placentia, Placentia Cultural Arts Centre: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Wednesday, November 19, 2025 – Grand Bank, Burin Peninsula Hotel – Dining Room: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Thursday, November 20, 2025 – Hermitage, Community Centre – Fire Dept Room: 1:00–3:00 PM

NAFO Division 2J
Monday, October 27, 2025 – Cartwright, 50 Plus Club: 1:00–4:00 PM
Monday, October 27, 2025 – Port Hope Simpson, Alexis Hotel Dining Room: 6:00–8:00 PM
Tuesday, October 28, 2025 – Mary’s Harbour, Recreation Commission: 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Tuesday, October 28, 2025 – St. Lewis, Town Hall: 2:00–4:00 PM
Wednesday, October 29, 2025 – Charlottetown, Town Hall: 9:00 AM–12:00 PM

For further information, please contact your local DFO office.

"Notices to Fish Harvesters" for all commercial fisheries are now available online under the Fishery Notices link on the DFO NL 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: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca 

DFO would like to remind harvesters, buyers and the public that you are responsible for submitting commercial fishing logs and purchase slips to the Department as per section 61 of the Fisheries Act and Schedule 4 of the commercial fishing licence.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is advising clients that alternative means of delivery, for all items normally sent through regular Canada Post mail, should be used for the duration of any postal services disruption.  These alternate options are also available once the disruption is over.

DFO has various alternate options in place, to enable the timely submission of fishing logs and purchase slips to the department, such as:

• You may hand deliver fishing logs and purchase slips to the nearest DFO Area Office (Goose Bay, Corner Brook, Grand Falls – Windsor, and Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Centre (NAFC) St. John’s). *NAFC drop-off box is located at the Security Gate and will be accessible Monday to Friday, 9:30 am – 3:30 pm, for the duration of any postal services disruption.  

• You may use local courier services available to deliver fishing logs and purchase slips to DFO.
For delivery of commercial fishing logs and purchase slips, mailing addresses and contact information are noted below:

1. Corner Brook
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Area Statistics Office
1 Regent Square
Corner Brook, NL
A2H 7K6
Statistics contact Phone (709) 637-4322 or (709) 637-4323

2. Grand Falls-Windsor
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Area Statistics Office
4A Bayley Street, Suite 200
Grand Falls – Windsor, NL
A2A 2T5
Statistics contact Phone (709) 292-5180 or (709) 292-5181

3. St. John’s
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Client Service Center
80 East White Hills Rd
St. John’s, NL
A1C 5X1
Statistics contact Phone (709) 292-5180 or (709) 772-5046

4. Goose Bay
Fisheries & Oceans Canada, Licensing
202 Kelland Drive
P.O. Box 7003, Station C
Goose Bay, NL
A0P 1C0
Statistics contact Phone (709) 636-6653

"Notices to Fish Harvesters" for all commercial fisheries are now available online under the Fishery Notices link on the DFO NL 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: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
 

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) would like to remind fish harvesters to ensure the removal of all set fishing gear from the water at the end of fishing seasons, and to report all lost fishing gear as outlined in commercial fishing license conditions.

In July 2021, DFO launched the online Fishing Gear Reporting System (FGRS). Fish harvesters can easily access and submit the required lost or retrieved gear reporting forms simply and efficiently. This reporting helps the Department locate and remove lost gear from our waters and, where possible, return the gear to its rightful owner. 

Depending on your regional COLs, you can choose to use any of the following available reporting tools:

Fishing Gear Reporting System (FGRS)

Electronic Logbook (ELOG)
Complete the section reserved for that purpose in the electronic logbook (ELOG)

PDF Fishing Gear Form