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Notice to Fish Harvesters - ATLANTIC HALIBUT FISHERY OPENING IN DIVISION 4R - QUEBEC BASED VESSELS - nf.26.050

March 30, 2026

FISHERIES AND OCEANS CANADA

NOTICE TO FISH HARVESTERS

nf.26.050B

2026-023

Mar. 30, 2026

ATLANTIC HALIBUT FISHERY OPENING IN DIVISION 4R – QUEBEC BASED VESSELS

DFO advises that the Atlantic Halibut fishery in NAFO Division 4R for Quebec-based vessel classes A520, A701 to A900 and A2343-A2345 will open at 0500 hours EDT April 1, 2026 and close at 2359 hours EDT on April 28, 2026.

DFO reminds harvesters 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 Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-019 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-023 comes into effect on March 31, 2026.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: https://www.nfl.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/en.

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.

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

Dr. Erin Carruthers

Dr. Erin Carruthers is the Science Director and Senior Fisheries Scientist with the Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union (FFAW-Unifor), which is the labour union that represents the owner-operator fleet in Newfoundland and Labrador. The FFAW is committed to research and management that supports healthy oceans, fisheries, and coastal communities. Dr. Carruthers received her Ph. D. in Biology from Memorial University in 2011 followed by a postdoctoral fellowship with the Centre for Fisheries Ecosystems Research. Before coming to Newfoundland, Erin worked as a Research Biologist with Fisheries and Oceans Canada at the St. Andrews Biological Station. Her current research program is co-constructed with fish harvesters and includes research on coastal fishing communities, collaborative longline and trap surveys, and best practices for the avoidance, handling and release of unwanted catch.