Groundfish

Following the recent announcement of the management plan for the commercial redfish fishery in Unit 1 for the 2026-27 fishing season, DFO advises that Conditions of Licence are now available on the National Online Licensing System (NOLS) for the inshore Newfoundland and Labrador mobile gear fleet.

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 management approach for 2J3KL (Northern) cod for the 2026-27 season has been announced. Further details can be found online at the following website: 

Decisions for Atlantic Canada, Quebec and the Arctic - 2026

DFO advises harvesters that the less than 65 ft. fixed gear Greenland Halibut (Turbot) fishery in NAFO Divisions 2+3K will open on June 15, 2026 at 0600 hours.

Fish Harvesters are required to hail-out to an At Sea Observer Company 24 hours prior to leaving port.

License conditions are available on the National Online Licensing System (NOLS) for those harvesters who submitted an Expression of Interest and are eligible to participate in the NAFO Divisions 2+3K fixed gear Greenland halibut (Turbot) fishery.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-065 has been revoked and Variation Order 2026-079 comes into effect on June 11, 2026.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 3Ps Greenland Halibut (Turbot) fishery for vessels less than and greater than 65' using gillnets and hook and line gear, will open at 0600 hours on June 10, 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 3Ps fixed gear Winter Flounder (Blackback) fishery for vessels less than 65' will open at 0600 hours on June 10, 2026.

Bycatch of Atlantic halibut is permitted; limits are outlined in General Groundfish Conditions.

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 4RST, for fixed gear vessels less than 65 feet based in Western NL and Southern Labrador that elected to fish in Period 1, will open at 0600 hours on Monday, June 8, 2026. This fishery is open to vessel class A285 and will close at 2000 hours on June 28, 2026.

DFO reminds fish harvesters that logbooks for this fishery are mandatory and must be completed in full and submitted as per the conditions of licence.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2026-071 has been revoked and Variation Order 2026-077 will come into force on June 5, 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 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 June 2, 2026.
 
Licence conditions, which will include new depth and area fishing restrictions, will be available in the National Online Licensing System (NOLS).
 
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 3NOP portion of the Industry-DFO Longline Survey Program for 3NOPs4VWX5Zc Atlantic halibut will open to NL-based participants (Vessel Class A282) on May 22, 2026, at 0600 hours.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-068 has been revoked and Variation Order 2026-071 will come into force on May 22, 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 Atlantic Halibut fishery in NAFO Sub-Division 3Pn, for vessels less than 65 feet using hook and line gear, will close at 1200 hours May 21, 2026 due to incidental catch of Cod exceeding 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 fishery for Atlantic Halibut in NAFO Division 3NO, for vessel class A389 (Maritimes) using longline will open on May 21, 2026 at 0600 hours.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-067 has been revoked and Variation Order 2026-068 comes into effect on May 21, 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.