Public Notice - Newfoundland and Labrador Recreational Groundfish Fishery - pn.26.005
May 15, 2026
FISHERIES AND OCEANS CANADA
PUBLIC NOTICE
pn.26.005B
2026-064
May. 15, 2026
Newfoundland and Labrador Recreational Groundfish Fishery
DFO advises that the recreational groundfish fishery will be open in all NAFO areas/subareas of Newfoundland and Labrador and follow an area-based management approach. There is no requirement for a licence or tags for the general public.
Recognizing differences in the health of the three Atlantic cod stocks in adjacent waters and informed by survey results, in 2GHJ3KL (north and east coasts) the fishery will be open seven days a week from Memorial Day/Canada Day to Labour Day with a nine day period in the fall. In 3Ps and 3Pn4R (south and west coasts) the fishery will be open weekends (Saturday, Sunday, and Monday) throughout the summer with a nine day period in the fall. Season dates by area are specified below.
Three exceptions are the Eastport, Gilbert Bay and Laurentian Channel Marine Protected Areas (MPA) where recreational groundfish fishing will not be permitted.
Season Dates by Area:
2GHJ3KL (north and east coasts):
Summer Season – Wednesday, July 01 to Monday, September 07, 2026
Fall Season – Saturday, September 19 to Sunday, September 27, 2026
3Ps and 4R3Pn (south and west coasts):
Summer Season:
Saturday, July 04 to Monday, July 06, 2026
Saturday, July 11 to Monday, July 13, 2026
Saturday, July 18 to Monday, July 20, 2026
Saturday, July 25 to Monday, July 27, 2026
Saturday, August 01 2026 to Monday, August 03, 2026
Saturday, August 08, 2026 to Monday, August 10, 2026
Saturday, August 15, 2026 to Monday, August 17, 2026
Saturday, August 22, 2026 to Monday, August 24, 2026
Saturday, August 29, 2026 to Monday, August 31, 2026
Saturday, September 05, 2026 to Monday, September 07, 2026
Fall Season:
Saturday, September 19, 2026 to Sunday, September 27, 2026
Recreational fishers are limited to five (5) groundfish per day (including cod). There is no boat limit.
The Department reminds recreational fishery participants to practice safe boating and check the weather before heading out on the water. For more information on boating safety please refer to the Safe Boating Guide. For specific information regarding Transport Canada rules and regulations or to request a pleasure craft courtesy check please contact the Office of Boating Safety at 1-800-230-3693 or obs-atl-bsn@tc.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 further details on the management measures for the Newfoundland and Labrador recreational groundfish fishery can be found online at the following website: www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fisheries-peches/decisions/fm-2026-gp/index-atl-eng.html
The tour boat voluntary pilot program will continue for Transport Canada certified tour boat operators. This includes a tagging system and retention of two fish per passenger per day, seven days a week with mandatory harvest reporting requirements. To apply for this licence, please contact DFO.ExperimentalLicensing-Experimental.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
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.
The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2025-279 and 2025-280 have been revoked, and Variation Orders 2026-063 and 2026-064 come into effect on May 16, 2026.
Public Notices 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 all Public Notices sent to you directly by email, please contact: NLPRI@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
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For information, contact:
Robyn Lee
Resource Manager
Tel. (709) 687-1378
Email: Robyn.Lee@dfo-mpo.gc.ca