Groundfish

DFO advises that the 3Ps portion of the Unit 2 Redfish Fishery for the mobile and fixed gear fleets will open at 0600 hours on July 1, 2026.

The 3Pn portion of the Unit 2 Redfish Fishery for the mobile gear fleets will open at 0600 hours on July 1, 2026.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-056 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-092 comes into effect on June 30, 2026.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 will open for 3KL-based inshore fixed-gear harvesters to fish in NAFO Divisions 2J3KL on Sunday, July 5, 2026 at 06:00 hours.

The base weekly authorized catch limits (in round weight) for 3KL-based regular season fixed-gear harvesters are:
-July 5 – September 12: 10,000 lbs. base weekly

The base bi-weekly authorized catch limits for 2J-based inshore fixed-gear harvesters will be finalized soon.

Catch and gear limits for 3KL-based harvesters from September 13 onward will be determined following a mid-August review. An additional seasonal review may be required to determine catch and gear limits later in the season. 

3KL-based harvesters will have the option of fishing the regular season at the weekly base catch limits identified above, or they may opt to fish only during the 3KL fall season starting September 13 with a catch limit of no less than 75,000 lbs. base bi-weekly (round weight). The catch limit for 3KL harvesters opting for fall-only conditions will be confirmed during the mid-August review. 

Fish harvesters selecting the 3KL fall only fishery option MUST indicate their intention via e-mail to Robyn.Lee@dfo-mpo.gc.ca by Thursday, July 2, 2026. Harvesters must provide their FULL NAME, FIN, HOMEPORT in their email. 

If a harvester who has opted to fish in the fall season has directed cod landings prior to September 12, they will forfeit their fall fishery licence conditions. 

Should adjustments to catch limits or seasons be required, updates will be communicated to harvesters via a Notice to Fishers. The Conservation and Harvesting Plan (CHP) will be available online soon at: 
Decisions for Atlantic Canada, Quebec and the Arctic - 2026

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 2000 hours on June 24, 2026. The reason for the closure is that the available harvesting cap for this fishery has been reached. Fish harvesters are reminded that all fishing gear must be removed from the water by closing time.

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 inshore fixed-gear Northern Cod harvesters that 2026 buddy up applications are 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.

For the 2026 fishing season, harvesters participating in a northern cod buddy up arrangement will be authorized to change their approved vessel to another vessel registered to either participant, based on operational requirements during the season.  Requests for a vessel substitution must be submitted through the National Online Licensing System.  A maximum of one vessel substitution will be permitted for the 2026 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 advises that the 2+3KLMNO Mobile Gear Greenland halibut (Turbot) fishery will close on June 18, 2026 at 2000 hours as the quota has been taken.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-079 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-084 comes into effect at 1700 hours on June 18, 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.

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.