Groundfish

DFO advises that the 2J3KL Northern cod fishery will open for 2J-based and 3KL-based inshore fixed-gear harvesters to fish in NAFO Divisions 2J3KL on Sunday, July 13, 2025 at 06:00 hours. 

The base bi-weekly authorized catch limits (in round weight) for 2J-based inshore fixed-gear harvesters are: 

•    July 13 - August 23: 40,000 lbs. base bi-weekly 
•    August 24 – end of season: 50,000 lbs. base bi-weekly 

The base weekly authorized catch limits (in round weight) for 3KL-based regular season fixed-gear harvesters are: 

•    July 13 - September 13: 4,000 lbs. base weekly 
•    September 14 – end of season: 8,500 lbs. base bi-weekly 

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 14 with a catch limit of 17,000 lbs. base bi-weekly (round weight). 

Fish harvesters selecting the 3KL fall only fishery option MUST indicate their intention via e-mail to Robyn.Morris@dfo-mpo.gc.ca  by Wednesday, July 9, 2025. 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 14, they will forfeit their fall fishery licence conditions.  

Should in-season adjustments to catch limits or seasons be required, industry will be consulted, and 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 - 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 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 2, will open at 0600 hours on Monday, July 7, 2025. This fishery is open to Vessel class A288 and will close at 2000 hours on July 20, 2025.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-079 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2025-095 comes into effect on July 3, 2025.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 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, 2025.

The 3Pn portion of the Unit 2 Redfish Fishery for the mobile gear fleets will open at 0600 hours on July 1, 2025.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-088 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2025-100 comes into effect on July 1, 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 that the Northern Cod fishery will open for all midshore and offshore licence holders and vessel classes in NAFO Divisions 2J3KL on Tuesday, July 1, 2025 at 0600 hours; and is scheduled to close April 15, 2026.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2024-323 have been revoked, and Variation Order 2025-099 comes into effect on July 01, 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 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 Wednesday, June 25, 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 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 17, 2025. 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 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 that the Greenland Halibut (turbot) fishery in NAFO Divisions 4RST will open in water depths 140 fathoms or greater, for fixed gear vessels (Vessel Class A284) less than 65 feet based in NAFO Divisions 2J4R3Pn, will open at 0600 hours on June 25, 2025.

By-catch limits are outlined in conditions.

4R3Pn based fixed gear groundfish harvesters who are not eligible under the Atlantic Halibut Sustainability Plan who wish to participate in the 4R Greenland Halibut (Turbot) fishery should submit a request through the National Online Licencing System.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2025-084 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-089 comes into effect on June 21, 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 Unit 1 Redfish fishery in NAFO division 4R will open to the following fleets on June 24, 2025, Offshore fleet all regions, Midshore fleet all regions, Indigenous allocation holders all regions, and the Inshore and Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence shrimp harvester fleets in Quebec, Gulf, and Maritimes regions.  

This opening applies to vessels in the following classes C1 to C359, C425, C462 to C3999, D1 to D220, E to J and L to Z.  The fishery will open at 0100 hours on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, and will close at 2400 hours on March 31, 2026.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-011 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-088 will come into force on June 21, 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 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 9, 2025. This fishery is open to vessel class A285 and will close at 2000 hours on June 22, 2025.

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 2025-065 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-079 will come into force on June 6, 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 that the Atlantic halibut fishery in NAFO Division 4R, for vessels classes A1800 to A1988 based in the Quebec Region, will open at 0500 hours EDT June 6, 2025, and close at 2359 hours EDT October 31, 2025.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-065 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2025-079 comes into effect on June 06, 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