Groundfish

DFO reminds harvesters involved in groundfish fisheries throughout NAFO Division 4R, that various fisheries will begin to open in the next few weeks. Harvesters are reminded that a portion of NAFO sub-Division 4Rd and 4Rc (Bay St. George and Port au Port Bay), is closed to ALL groundfish fishing until midnight June 23, 2026.

The purpose of this closure is to protect the Cod spawning activity occurring in this area.

The specific area of the closure is near the entrance to Bay St. George and Port au Port Bay, defined by straight lines drawn from the following coordinates:

- 48 degrees 15" North, 59 degrees 20" west, to
- 49 degrees 10" North, 59 degrees 20" west, to
- 49 degrees 10" North, 60 degrees 00" west, to
- 48 degrees 15" North, 60 degrees 00" west, to
- 48 degrees 15" North, 59 degrees 20" west.

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 A353 (Maritimes) using longline will open on April 1, 2026 at 0600 hours.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-003 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-019 comes into effect on March 27, 2026.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 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General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region give notice that Variation Order 2026-015 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-016 comes into force on March 3, 2026.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.

DFO advises that the directed Atlantic Halibut fishery in NAFO Sub-Division 3Ps will close for fixed gear vessels less than 65 feet using longlines at 2000 hours on January 11, 2026, as the quota is expected to be taken. There will be no Atlantic Halibut bycatch permitted after this time.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-292 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-003 comes into effect on January 10, 2026.

"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 reminds harvesters that the following Groundfish fisheries are closed for the Newfoundland and Labrador-based fleets for all vessel classes:

•    NAFO Divisions 3NO, 4RST, and Sub-Division 3Pn inshore fixed gear Atlantic halibut fleets, including 3NO inshore fixed gear Maritime vessels.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-288 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-292 will come into effect at 2359 hours on December 31, 2025.

"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 advises the 3Pn portion of the Unit 1 Redfish fishery (less than 65 feet fleet) for the inshore mobile gear vessel classes C363, C364, C369, C370, C373, C376, C381, C385, C387, C393, C396, C399, C400, C401, C405, C406, C407, C410, C412, C415, C417, C419, C421, C422, C423, C424, C432, C433, C436, C437, C440, C442, C443, C444, C445, C448, C449, C452, C453, C455, C456, C457, C458, C459, C460, C461, the Estuary and Gulf shrimp fleet for vessel classes C361, C362, C365, C366, C367, C368, C371, C372, C374, C375, C377, C378, C379, C380, C382, C383, C384, C386, C388, C389, C390, C391, C392, C394, C395, C396, C398, C403, C404, C409, C411, C413, C414, C418, and the NL based harvesters with Reserve Allocation for vessel classes C420, C434, C439, C447, C450, C451, C464, C469, C470, C471 will open at 0600 hours on January 1, 2026.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-287 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2025-291 comes into force on December 31, 2025.

"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 reminds harvesters that the 2J3KL Northern Cod fishery remains open. Fish harvesters are advised that before the start of any fishing trip in 2026, they are to obtain updated 2J3KL cod conditions from 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.