Groundfish

DFO wishes to advise inshore fixed-gear Northern cod harvesters that Buddy-Up will be authorized for the 2025 season. The 2025 Buddy-up Application is available through the National Online Licensing System (NOLS)

The inshore fixed-gear Northern cod Buddy-Up application can be downloaded and submitted by following Step-By-Step Instructions through NOLS Submitting a Request and Checking the Request Status: Step-by-Step

Any harvesters experiencing issues with accessing their online NOLS account, should contact the NOLS Support Line 1-877-535-7307 to have the issue resolved. For more information on the Buddy-Up policy for Northern cod, please contact your local Area Office detachment.

"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 in 2025, the recreational groundfish fishery will be open for a total of 39 days, and there is no requirement for a licence or tags for the general public. To inform future management decisions the Department will launch consultations this fall on the recreational groundfish fishery and the varying health of the province’s three cod stocks.

Species and Area:

The recreational groundfish fishery will occur in all NAFO areas/subareas around Newfoundland and Labrador, which includes 2GH, 2J3KL, 3Ps, 3Pn and 4R. Three exceptions are the Eastport, Gilbert Bay and Laurentian Channel Marine Protected Areas (MPA) where recreational groundfish fishing will not be permitted.

Season Dates:
Summer Season:
Saturday, June 28, 2025 to Monday, June 30, 2025
Saturday, July 05, 2025 to Monday, July 07, 2025
Saturday, July 12, 2025 to Monday, July 14, 2025
Saturday, July 19, 2025 to Monday, July 21, 2025
Saturday, July 26, 2025 to Monday, July 28, 2025
Saturday, August 02, 2025 to Monday, August 04, 2025
Saturday, August 09, 2025 to Monday, August 11, 2025
Saturday, August 16, 2025 to Monday, August 18, 2025
Saturday, August 23, 2025 to Monday, August 25, 2025
Saturday, August 30, 2025 to Monday, September 01, 2025

Fall Season: Saturday, September 20, 2025 to Sunday, September 28, 2025

Recreational fishers are limited to five (5) groundfish per day (including cod). However, the maximum boat limit when three or more people are fishing is 15 groundfish.

For 2025, a new voluntary pilot program is available for Transport Canada certified tour boat operators introducing a tagging system that will allow retention of two fish per passenger per day, seven days a week. This licence includes mandatory harvest reporting requirements. To apply for this licence, please contact DFO.ExperimentalLicensing-Experimental.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca   

Provisions will continue that allow a person with a disability to designate a person to catch their daily limit of groundfish. The disability designation form and details on all applicable Management Measures will be available online.

DFO Science conducts ongoing tagging programs for various groundfish species to support research on fish movement, growth, and natural mortality. If you capture a tagged groundfish, please return the tag to claim your monetary reward by mailing it to DFO’s Science Branch.

Further details on the management measure for the 2025 Newfoundland and Labrador recreational groundfish fishery can be found online at the following website: 

Decisions for Atlantic Canada, Quebec and the Arctic - 2025

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2024-314 and 2024-315 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2025-086 and 2025-087 come into effect on June 19, 2025.

"Public Notices" are now available online under the Fishery Notices link on the DFO NL Region webpage at Newfoundland and Labrador Region

If you would like all public notices sent to you directly by email, please contact: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
 

DFO advises that the management approach for 2J3KL (Northern) cod for the 2025-26 season has been announced. Further details can be found online at the following website: 

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 harvesters that the less than 65 ft. fixed gear Greenland Halibut (Turbot) fishery in NAFO Divisions 2+3K will open on Sunday, June 15, 2025 at 0600 hours.

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

License conditions will be 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 2025-081 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-084 comes into effect on June 13, 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 wishes to advise harvesters that the Lumpfish fishery will open at 0600 hours on June 15, 2025 in the following Lumpfish fishing area:

• Waters adjacent to Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove open only to vessel class A438

Fishing for Lumpfish is authorized in water depths less than 25 fathoms.

Licence fees and licence conditions are available on the National Online Licencing System (NOLS).

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Orders 2024-318 and 2025-064 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2025-082 and 2025-083 come into effect on June 13, 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 2+3KLMNO Mobile Gear Greenland halibut (Turbot) fishery will close on June 11, 2025 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 2025-063 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2025-081 comes into effect at 1600 hours on June 11, 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 reopen at 0600 hours on May 24, 2025.

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 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 3NOP portion of the Industry-DFO Longline Survey Program for 3NOPs4VWX5Zc Atlantic halibut will open to NL-based participants (Vessel Class A282) on Thursday, May 22, 2025 at 0600 hours.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-062 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-065 will come into force on May 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 fishery for Atlantic Halibut in NAFO Division 3NO, for vessel class A1183 (Maritimes) using longline will open on Thursday, May 22, 2025 at 0600 hours.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-062 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-065 will come into force on May 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 wishes to advise harvesters that the Lumpfish fishery will open in the following NAFO Division 3K Lumpfish fishing areas:

Note all opening times are 0600 hours and all closing times are 2000 hours.

Cape Bauld to Granite Point: May 20, 2025 to July 8, 2025

Granite Point to Little Harbour Deep Head: May 20, 2025 to July 8, 2025

Little Harbour Deep Head to Cape St. John: May 20, 2025 to July 8, 2025

Cape St. John to North Head: May 20, 2025 to July 8, 2025

North Head to Cape Freels: May 27, 2025 to July 15, 2025

Fishing for Lumpfish is authorized in water depths less than 25 fathoms.

Licence fees and licence conditions are available on the National Online Licencing System (NOLS).

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2024-319 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-064 will come into force on May 17, 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