Groundfish

DFO advises harvesters that the Atlantic Halibut, Skate, and Monkfish fishery in NAFO divisions 3NO will close on September 2, 2026 at 2000 hours for the following vessel classes:

A251, A254, A257, A260, A263, A266, A269, and A272

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-124 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-166 comes into effect September 1, 2026.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
 

DFO advises harvesters that the Atlantic Halibut, Skate, and Monkfish fishery in NAFO divisions 3NO will close on September 2, 2026 at 2000 hours for the following vessel classes:

A251, A254, A257, A260, A263, A266, A269, and A272

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-124 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-166 comes into effect September 1, 2026.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
 

DFO advises that the 2J3KL Northern cod fishery for the inshore mobile gear/otter trawl fleet (vessel class C175) will open on September 1, 2026 at 0600 hours and is scheduled to close April 14, 2027, or until the fleet allocation of 826 t is taken. 

Conditions of licence for the first period (valid to October 31, 2026) will be available soon through the National Online Licensing System (NOLS). 

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-094 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-158 comes into effect on August 28, 2026.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, that following a mid-August review, the base authorized catch limits (in round weight) for inshore fixed-gear harvesters for the fall inshore fixed-gear Northern cod fishing season, commencing September 13, 2026, will be as follows:

 -    2J-based harvesters and 2J equivalents: 75,000 lbs. base bi-weekly
-    3KL-based regular season harvesters and 3K equivalents: 10,000 lbs. base weekly
-    3KL-based fall-only option harvesters: 75,000 lbs base bi-weekly

The online Conservation Harvesting Plan will be updated accordingly. A mid-October review will determine whether changes will be made to catch and gear limits later in the fall season for 3KL-based regular, 3K equivalents and 3KL-based fall-only harvesters. Should adjustments to catch limits or seasons be required, updates will be communicated to harvesters via a Notice to Fishers. 

Licence conditions for the fall season will be available in advance of the fall season on 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 advises that the fixed gear Greenland halibut (turbot) fishery in NAFO Divisions 3LMNO for vessels less than 65 feet will close on August 26, 2026 at 2000 hours.

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

Harvesters are also reminded that the retention of turbot is no longer permitted as incidental catch in the inshore fixed-gear Northern cod fishery.  All turbot caught as incidental catch must be returned to the water as per licence conditions.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2026-138 has been revoked and Variation Order 2026-157 comes into effect on August 25, 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 as of Wednesday, August 19, landings from regular season 3KL-based inshore fixed-gear harvesters have reached approximately 20,730 t (80%) of the amount allocated for this summer period (25,802t).

The Department will continue to closely monitor this fishery to ensure that the total harvest for the 3KL-based regular period remains within the allocated amount.

Additional updates as required will be communicated in advance via a Notice to Fish Harvesters.

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 3L Greenland Halibut (Turbot) fishery, the fishery is tentatively scheduled to close at 2000 hours on August 26, 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 eligible harvesters who wish to participate in the 2026-2027 <65' mobile gear fishery for 2J3KL Northern cod must submit an Expression of Interest to Fisheries and Oceans by 1700 hours, Monday, August 24, 2026.

For the 2026-2027 season, the inshore mobile-gear cod fishery will be managed using weekly limits; the authorized catch limit will be 150,000 lbs weekly (round weight). The anticipated opening for this fishery will be Tuesday, September 1, 2026. A Notice to Fishers will be issued to confirm the opening date. Catch limits from November 1st onward will be determined following a mid-October review.
 
Fish harvesters are required to email their Expression of Interest to:  Robyn.Lee@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

In your e-mail please include the following:
Name:
FIN:
Phone #:
E-mail address:

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

DFO advises that the fixed gear Greenland Halibut (Turbot) Fishery in NAFO Divisions 2+3K will close for all vessels less than 65 ft on August 11, 2026 at 2000 hours.

DFO reminds harvesters that all gear must be removed from the water by closing time.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2026-084 has been revoked and Variation Order 2026-138 comes into effect on August 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 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.