Subject: Opening of the Atlantic halibut fishery in NAFO Divisions 4R, 4S, and 4T for the Upper and Middle north Shore and Lower North Shore fixed gear fleets of vessels less than 19,81 meters, and announcement of fishery management measures.

Sept-Îles – May 15, 2026

Fisheries and Oceans Canada – Quebec Region announces the opening of the 2026–2027 Atlantic halibut fishing season in Divisions 4R, 4S, and 4T for Upper and Middle Nortyh Shore (UMNS) and Lower North Shore (LNS) fixed gear fleets of less than 19,81 meters:

from May 15, 2026, at 5:00 a.m. (EDT) to October 31, 2026; and

from April 1, 2027, at 5:00 a.m. (EDT) to May 14, 2027. 

The management measures are set forth in the 2026–2027 Conservation Harvested Plan (CHP), which was approved on May 14, 2026, and is available on DFO’s website.

The main changes to the CHP are outlined below.

Quotas

The initial Atlantic halibut allocation for all North Shore fleets is set at 306,025 tons (t) for the 2026–2027 season. The distribution of this allocation between the two fleets in the North Shore region is detailed in the CHP and breaks down as follows:

HMCN = 165,254 t (54 %)

BCN = 140,772 t (46 %)

Closure of fishing areas

License holders and fishing vessel operators are authorized to fish for Atlantic halibut using fixed gear in NAFO subdivisions 4T5 (Shediac Valley) and 4T7. We encourage license holders and fishing vessel operators to review the specific details regarding this reopening in their Conditions of licences.

Catch management

The percentage of cod bycatch allowed per fishing trip in NAFO Division 4T is reduced starting from the 2026–2027 season, but remains unchanged in Divisions 4R and 4S:

Cod 4T: The greater of 15% or 25 kg per fishing trip;

Cod 4RS: The greater of 30% or 45 kg per fishing trip;

Request for Conditions of licence

To obtain the Conditions of Licence, harvesters must request them through the National Licensing System online. For assistance with the National Online Licensing System, please contact customer support by phone at 1-800-463-1729 or by email at fishing-peche@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

Furthermore, it should be noted that during the period during which fishing is authorized, it is the captain's responsibility to read the notices issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Transport Canada related to marine safety, as well as safety standards and good practices, and take all the necessary steps to ensure safe fishing.

For additional information

Contact your area office at the telephone number below. You can also visit our website

Resource management

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Sept-Îles (Québec)

North Shore area: 1-800-463-1729