Notice to Fish Harvesters - Lifting of the Spring Spawning Closure and Reopening of the 2025-2026 Unit 1 Directed Redfish Fishery - nf.26.064
April 10, 2026
FISHERIES AND OCEANS CANADA
NOTICE TO FISH HARVESTERS
nf.26.064B
2026-030
Apr. 10, 2026
Lifting of the Spring Spawning Closure and Reopening of the 2025-2026 Unit 1 Directed Redfish Fishery
DFO is advising Unit 1 Redfish harvesters that the spring spawning closure effective since April 1 has been lifted for the remainder of the 2025-26 fishing season. The Redfish commercial fishery will open April 10, 2026, at 2359 hours ADT until May 14, 2026, at 2359 hours ADT in the following NAFO areas – Divisions 4RST, Subdivision 4Vn, Subdivision 3Pn.
To mitigate the risk of Atlantic Cod bycatch during a known seasonal aggregation period, the targeted area closure in portions of NAFO Divisions 4T and 4Vn announced February 24, 2026, remains in effect until May 14, 2026. This closure applies to all fleets and is intended to reduce the likelihood of bycatch events during the early spring period.
Previously established spatial closures as per 2025-26 Conservation Harvesting Plans (CHPs) remain in place. Other targeted fishery closures may be implemented if applicable bycatch caps or allocations are reached.
Until May 14, 2026, a 50% at-sea observer (ASO) coverage requirement applies to all vessels under 30.48 metres (100 feet) participating in the Unit 1 Redfish fishery. A 100% ASO coverage requirement continues to apply to all vessels over 30.48 metres (100 feet). This measure is intended to mitigate risks related to bycatch, unauthorized discards and to ensure accurate catch reporting. Other monitoring requirements and management measures remain in place, and continue to apply, as per the 2025-26 CHP.
Harvesters are responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable licence conditions, closures, and monitoring requirements.
Fish harvesters wishing to participate in this fishery must apply for their Conditions of Licence through the National Online Licensing System (NOLS).
For assistance with the National Online Licensing System, please contact customer support by phone at 1-877-535-7307 or by email at fishing-peche@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2026-024 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-030 comes into force at 1900 hours NDT on April 10, 2026.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:
Robyn Lee
Resource Manager
Tel. (709) 687-1378
Email: Robyn.Lee@dfo-mpo.gc.ca