Notice to Fish Harvesters - 2026 ATLANTIC MACKEREL BAIT FISHERY INTERIM MANAGEMENT MEASURE - nf.26.119
May 26, 2026
FISHERIES AND OCEANS CANADA
NOTICE TO FISH HARVESTERS
nf.26.119B
2026-073
May. 26, 2026
2026 ATLANTIC MACKEREL BAIT FISHERY INTERIM MANAGEMENT MEASURE
As an interim management measure pending results of the 2026 Atlantic mackerel assessment on May 27th, Fisheries and Oceans Canada will release 220 tonnes of the Atlantic mackerel Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for the competitive, personal-use bait fishery.
This fishery will open on May 27, 2026 at 0600 hours. Eligible fish harvesters participating in this fishery 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.
Following the stock assessment and subsequent discussions with the Atlantic Mackerel Advisory Committee, the Department will communicate the 2026 management approach for Atlantic mackerel.
The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2025-272 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-073 comes into effect on May 27, 2026.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:
Erin Dunne
Resource Manager – Pelagic Fisheries
Tel.: (709) 725-4582
E-mail: erin.dunne@dfo-mpo.gc.ca