Pelagics

Fixed Gear (Bar/Tuck Seine) Herring Fishery Opening in Notre Dame Bay (HFA 4)

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Notice description

DFO advises that the Fixed Gear (Bar/Tuck Seine) Herring fishery will open on November 4, 2026 at 0600 hours in Notre Dame Bay (Herring Fishing Area 4).

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2026-179 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-185 comes into effect on November 4, 2026.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.

Issue Date
Notice Number
nf.26.245
Notice Year
2026
For information, contact:

Kelly Firmage-O’Brien
Area Fisheries Manager
Tel.: (709) 685-0344
Email: Kelly.Firmage-OBrien@dfo-mpo.gc.ca 

David Small
Senior Area Fisheries Manager
Tel.: (709) 292-5167
Email: david.small@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
 

Fixed Gear Herring Closing in NAFO Division 2J (HFA 1-2)

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Notice description

DFO advises that the Fixed Gear (Barr/Tuck Seine) Herring fishery will close on October 21, 2026, at 1200 hours in NAFO Division 2J (HFA 1 and 2).

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region give notice that Variation Order 2026-177 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-179 comes into force at 1000 hours on October 21, 2026.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.

Issue Date
Notice Number
nf.26.237
Notice Year
2026
For information, contact:

Erin Dunne
Resource Manager - Pelagic Fisheries
Tel.: (709) 725-4582
E-mail: erin.dunne@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Fixed Gear Herring Opening in NAFO Division 2J (HFA 1-2)

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Notice description

DFO advises that the tuck/barr seine herring fishery for NAFO Division 2J (Herring Fishing Areas 1 - 2) will open at 0600 hours on October 10, 2026, and close at 1800 hours on October 30th, 2026. 

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region give notice that Variation Order 2026-172 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-177 comes into force on October 7, 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.

Issue Date
Notice Number
nf.26.233
Notice Year
2026
For information, contact:

Murray Perrett
Area Fisheries Manager
Tel: 709-899-2938
E-Mail: Murray.Perrett@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Mobile Gear Herring Fishery Opening in White Bay and Notre Dame Bay (HFA 3 & 4)

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Notice description

DFO advises that the Mobile Gear (Purse Seine) Herring fishery will open on September 25, 2026 at 0600 hours in White Bay and Notre Dame Bay (Herring Fishing Areas 3 and 4).

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-093 has been revoked and Variation Order 2026-175 comes into force on September 25, 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.
 

Issue Date
Notice Number
nf.26.230
Notice Year
2026
For information, contact:

Erin Dunne
Resource Manager - Pelagic Fisheries
Tel.: (709) 725-4582
E-mail: erin.dunne@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
 

2026 ATLANTIC MACKEREL BAIT FISHERY ADDITIONAL THIRD OPENING

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Species Term
Notice description

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) will re-open the competitive, personal-use Atlantic mackerel bait fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador Mackerel Fishing Areas 1 through 14 at 0600 hours on October 03, 2026. 

This opening will provide access to the remaining 466.67 tonnes allocated to the mackerel bait fishery for the 2026 season, representing the third and final portion of this fishery announced by the Department on July 3, 2026.

Participating harvesters will be restricted to a daily limit of 454 kg (1,000 lbs) to be fished by either gillnet or handline. Monitoring will be achieved using various measures, including a 100% hail-in requirement in all regions.

Additional information related to conditions of licence, will be available through the National Online Licensing System (NOLS).

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region, gives notice that Variation Order 2026-146 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-173 will come into force on September 23, 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.
 

Issue Date
Notice Number
nf.26.227
Notice Year
2026
For information, contact:

Erin Dunne
Resource Manager - Pelagic Fisheries
Tel.: (709) 725-4582
E-mail: erin.dunne@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
 

Herring Fixed Gear (Gillnets) Fishery Opening in Area 13

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Species Term
Notice description

DFO advises that the Herring fixed gear fishery (gillnets) in Herring Fishing Area 13 will open at 0600 hours September 17, 2026.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-170 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-172 comes into effect on September 17, 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.

Issue Date
Notice Number
nf.26.226
Notice Year
2026
For information, contact:

Jodi Riggs-Power
Resource Management
Tel: 709-279-7626
Email: jodi.riggs-power@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

2026 Home Waters Bluefin Tuna Fishery Re-opening by Permit Only

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Species Term
Notice description

DFO advises that the Bluefin Tuna fishery in NAFO Divisions 3KLNOP will open by permit only at 0600 hours on September 18, 2026 for vessels with 2026 Bluefin tuna tag numbers: 263509, 263510, 263825, 263529, 263531, 263663, 263665, 263851, 263853, 263553, 263854, 263696, 263693, 263839, 263841, 262631, 263655, 263575, 263576, 263569, 263694, 263601, 263515, 263517, 263518, 263695, 263816.

Licence conditions will be available through DFO’s National Online Licensing System (NOLS) for those harvesters who have been contacted.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-164 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-171 comes into effect on September 17, 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.

Issue Date
Notice Number
nf.26.225
Notice Year
2026
For information, contact:

Erin Dunne
Resource Manager - Pelagic Fisheries
Tel.: (709) 725-4582
E-mail: erin.dunne@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Fixed Gear (Bar/Tuck Seine) Herring Fishery Opening in White Bay (HFA 3)

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Species Term
Notice description

DFO advises that the Fixed Gear (Bar/Tuck Seine) Herring fishery will open on September 15, 2026 at 0600 hours in White Bay (Herring Fishing Area 3).

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2026-167 has been revoked and Variation Order 2026-170 comes into effect on September 15, 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.
 

Issue Date
Notice Number
nf.26.224
Notice Year
2026
For information, contact:

Kelly Firmage-O’Brien
Area Fisheries Manager
Tel.: (709) 685-0344
Email: Kelly.Firmage-OBrien@dfo-mpo.gc.ca 

David Small
Senior Area Fisheries Manager
Tel.: (709) 292-5167
Email: david.small@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
 

Fixed Gear (Gillnet and Trap) Herring Fishery Opening in NAFO Division 3KL (HFA 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9)

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Species Term
Notice description

DFO advises that the Herring fixed gear fishery for Gillnet and Trap will open 0600 hours September 2, 2026, for the following:

Herring Fishing Area 3 - White Bay
Herring Fishing Area 4 - Notre Dame Bay
Herring Fishing Area 5 - Bonavista Bay
Herring Fishing Area 6 - Trinity Bay
Herring Fishing Area 7 - Conception Bay
Herring Fishing Area 8 - Southern Shore
Herring Fishing Area 9 - St. Mary's Bay

Fish harvesters are reminded that logbooks are mandatory in these Fixed Gear Herring fisheries.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-082 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-167 comes into effect September 1, 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.
 

Issue Date
Notice Number
nf.26.216
Notice Year
2026
For information, contact:

Kelly Firmage-O’Brien
Area Fisheries Manager
Tel.: (709) 685-0344
Email: Kelly.Firmage-OBrien@dfo-mpo.gc.ca 
 

2026 Homewaters Bluefin Tuna Fishery Closing

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Species Term
Notice description

DFO advises that the Bluefin Tuna fishery in NAFO Divisions 3KLNOP for all vessels will close at 2200 hours on August 29, 2026.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-102 has been revoked and Variation Order 2026-164 comes into effect on August 29, 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
 

Issue Date
Notice Number
nf.26.214
Notice Year
2026
For information, contact:

Erin Dunne
Resource Manager - Pelagic Fisheries
Tel.: (709) 725-4582
E-mail: erin.dunne@dfo-mpo.gc.ca