Notices to Fish Harvesters
CONSERVATION HARVESTING PLAN-4RST ATLANTIC HALIBUT MAGDALEN ISLANDS FIXED GEAR FLEET LESS THAN 19,81 M UNDER ITQ 2025-2026 SEASON
Approved July 22, 2025
1. Application
This Atlantic halibut Conservation Harvesting Plan (CHP) applies to groundfish licence holders with fixed gear of the less than 19,81 m fleet from Magdalen Islands when conducting Atlantic halibut fishing activities in 4RST divisions from May 15, 2025 to May 14, 2026.
It should be noted that:
- this CHP is subject to change following ministerial decisions;
- A separate CHP applies to directed fishing for any other groundfish species;
- when fishing in a NAFO division other than those indicated in this CHP, the CHP for that division applies;
- the targeted species during a fishing trip is the species for which a licence holder holds valid Conditions of licence;
- round weight is the weight prior to processing of any kind.
2. Fishing areas
Subject to Conditions of licence and to a Variation Order, licence holders are authorized to fish Atlantic halibut in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) divisions 4RST.
The fishing areas coordinates are available at the following address: Commercial Fishing Area Maps
3. Fishing closures
3.1 Protection of fish during spawning and cod concentrations
The protection of fish during the spawning period and in areas where there are concentrations of juveniles is a priority that the Department and the industry consider very important for the recovery of the cod stocks in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The following conservation measures apply:
- From April 1 to June 23
- Closure of all groundfish fisheries in part of NAFO Division 4R off shore from St. George’s Bay and Port-au-Port Bay, which is a recognized spawning area, enclosed by the straight lines joining the following points:
1. 48º15'00" N 59º20'00" W
2. 49º10'00" N 59º20'00" W
3. 49º10'00" N 60º00'00" W
4. 48º15'00" N 60º00'00" W
5. 48º15'00" N 59º20'00" W
- From January 1 to December 31
- Closure of targeted Atlantic halibut fishery in NAFO subdivisions 4T7, enclosed by the coastline and rhumb lines joining the following points in the order in which they are listed:
1. 46º12'53" N 63º29'26" W
2. 46º10'35" N 63º28'03" W
3. 45º51'45" N 63º42'42" W
4. 47º00'48" N 64º49'40" W
5. 47º03'15" N 64º00'00" W
- Closure of groundfish fisheries in subdivision 4T5 (Shediac Valley) enclosed by the coastline and rhumb lines joining the following points in the order in which they are listed:
1. 47º33'00" N 64º54'00" W
2. 47º33'00" N 63º26'42" W
3. 47º30'00" N 63º30'00" W
4. 47º03'15" N 64º00'00" W
5. 47º00'48" N 64º49'40" W
- Closure of the groundfish fishery in a part of subdivision 4T3 (Miscou Bank), with the exception of the portion bounded by a rhumb line connecting points 2, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 2 which remains open to the Atlantic halibut fishery using fixed gear from June 24 to December 31:
1. 48º15'00" N 64º22'00" W
2. 47º52'00" N 64º22'00" W
3. 47º52'00" N 64º02'00" W
4. 48º15'00" N 64º02'00" W
5. 48º09'00" N 64º22'00" W
6. 48º09'00" N 64º10'00" W
7. 47º55'00" N 64º10'00" W
8. 47º52'00" N 64º15'00" W
Note: The lines connecting in order points 1, 2, 3, 4 and 1 represent the permanently closed area (red zone), that is, part of the traditional Miscou box.
The lines connecting in order items 2, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 2 represent the open portion for the targeted halibut fishery between June 24 and December 31.
3.2 Coral and Sponge Conservation Areas in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence
On December 15, 2017, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) created eleven coral and sponge conservation areas in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence, in order to protect areas with high concentrations of sponges and sea pens.
All fishing activities that use bottom-contact gear or gear designed to come into contact with the sea bed, including but not limited to bottom trawls, dredges, gillnets, bottom longlines, bottom seines and traps are not authorized in these conservation areas.
For more information and maps of the eleven coral and sponge conservation areas, please visit the dedicated DFO website: Coral and sponge conservation measures in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence.
3.3 Banc-des-Américains Marine Protected Area
On March 6, 2019, DFO created, jointly with the Quebec government, the Banc-des-Américains Marine Protected Area (MPA) in order to the ensure the conservation and protection of this marine ecosystem.
Provisions of the Banc-des-Américains Marine Protected Area Regulations apply to licence holders. In order to comply with them, licence holders may refer to the clauses that apply to their fishing activities: Banc-des-Américains Marine Protected Area Regulations.
3.4 Atlantic halibut directed fishery temporary closure
A temporary closure of part of the 4T division is in place, considering the excessive bycatch of cod previously observed, and will remain closed until further notice. This area is bounded by rhumb lines delineated by the following points:
1. 49°02’00" N 64°10’00" W
2. 48°31’00" N 62°37’00" W
3. 48°23’00" N 63°08’00" W
4. 48°46’00" N 64°10’00" W
5. 49°02’00" N 64°10’00" W
4. Fishing seasons
Period 1: From July 25 to October 31, 2025.
Period 2: From April 1 to April 28, 2026.
Licence holders are authorized to participate in both fishing periods, however, they must ensure they hold sufficient allocations to cover the catches that are likely to be made during their fishing activities..
Only licence holders with a remaining quota at the end of the first fishing period will be authorized to participate in the second.
The fishing periods established above are in effect for the duration of this CHP. They represent the maximum fishing periods, subject, among others, to Variation orders and specific periods of closure. Therefore, opening dates may vary depending on particular circumstances such as industry requests and announcement of quota allocations, while closures may be anticipated, notably following the attainment of quotas or when the likelihood exceeding them is high. The specific periods will be confirmed through Notice to Fish Harvesters or Variation Orders.
Furthermore, It should be reminded that during the authorized fishing period, it is the responsibility of the captain to acquaint himself with the marine safety notices issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Transport Canada, as well as with applicable safety standards and best practices, and to take all necessary measures to ensure safe fishing operations.
5. Management regime
Management scheme is under Individual transferable quotas (ITQs).
5.1 Quotas
The Atlantic halibut allocation for Divisions 4RST comes in part from the base allocation granted to Gulf fixed-gear fleets < 19.81 m, from a portion of the mobile-gear fleet allocation (207.89 t) transferred to inshore fixed-gear fleets, and from the carryover of quota from the residual 2024-2025 mobile-gear fleet allocation (86.25 t), in accordance with established sharing formulas.
On April 15, 2016, under the coordination of the Ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation du Québec (MAPAQ), representatives of fixed gear groundfish licence holders associations have agreed ona sharing agreement for the global Atlantic halibut quota and its distribution among the three maritime Quebec geographic sectors. The agreement has been recognized by DFO and confirms an adjustment to Quebec's geographic fleet shares and their relative shares of the Quebec allocation according to the following percentages:
- Québec North Shore = 18.4277 %;
- Gaspe = 66.9401 %;
- Magdalen Islands = 14.6322 %.
Any additional allocation granted to Quebec fleets with fixed gear will be shared according to these same percentages.
For 2025-2026, the overall quota allocated to the three Quebec geographical fleets corresponds to 1,496.27 t. The sharing of this quota is therefore as follows:
- - North Shore = 275.727 t;
- - Gaspé = 1001.604 t;
- - Magdalen Islands = 218.937 t.
5.2 Management of ITQs
The administrative guidelines for the ITQ programs for Atlantic Halibut fixed gear fleet under 19.81 m from Magdalen Islands are included in the Regional Directive for the Management of Individual Transferable Quota Programs, available on the Quebec Region DFO website at the following address: Regional guidelines for the management of individual transferable quota programs. Regional guidelines for the management of induvial transferable quota programs.
5.2.1 Temporary transfers
No temporary transfers are permitted.
5.2.2 Permanent transfers
No permanent transfer requests will be treated during the Atlantic halibut fishing periods for the Magdalen Islands fleet.
5.3 Quota reconciliation
Under quota reconciliation, any quota overrun in a given year, whether within an ITQ regime or in a competitive fishery, is deducted on a one-to-one basis from the established quota for the following season.
Quota reconciliation facilitates the management of all fisheries and promotes compliance with harvest limits. It contributes to the achievement of resource conservation objectives, ensures that quota overruns by one fleet or fisher does not impact others, and holds industry accountable for conservation objectives.
Reconciliation will take place over several years if the overrun in a given year exceeds the initial amount allocated for the following year. Following quota reconciliation, a licence holder with a negative revised quota will not receive licence conditions and therefore will not be allowed to participate in the fishery during the current management year.
5.4 Permanent Licence Cancellation
Failure by the licence holder to comply with the revised quota may result in the permanent cancellation of the fixed gear groundfish licence issued to him.
5.5 Carry-over of quotas
On an individual basis, the carry-over of residual Atlantic halibut quotas from the 2024-2025 management year is authorized in 2025-2026, up to a maximum of 15% of the initial quota established at the beginning of the management cycle that began on May 15, 2024.
6. Minimum Catch Size
The minimum commercial size is 85 cm.
7. Fishing gear
The authorized fishing gear is the longline.
7.1 Number of Authorized Fishing Gear
The number of hooks authorized varies according to the revised quota (after reconciliation or carry-over) held by the licence holder:
- 0 to 1185 kg : 700 hooks
- 1186 kg to 1500 kg : 1050 hooks
- 1501 kg to 3500 kg : 1500 hooks
- 3501 kg and more : 2000 hooks
It is prohibited to have more fishing gear on board the vessel than the maximum allowed for fishing under the revised QIT held.
7.2 Characteristics of Authorized Fishing Gear
Longline hooks must have an opening equal to or greater than 15.4 mm.
7.3 Hauling and soaking time
It is the responsibility of the licence holder to ensure that the soak time of the fishing gear does not exceed 72 hours.
7.4 Fishing Tags and Additional Identification of Buoys
In addition to the regulatory requirement to mark buoys with the vessel registration number (VRN), licence holders are required to add a sequential number on each primary buoy in order to be able to individually identify each fishing gear. This additional requirement will help in identifying and retrieving lost gear and could also help in identifying the sector where a NARW may have become entangled.
The sequential number shall be solid block Arabic numerals:
- Without ornamentation;
- Written in a smaller or bigger font size than the VRN so as to be capable of differentiating the number from the VRN; and
- In a colour that contrasts with the buoy’s colour.
7.5 Amount of Rope Floating on the Surface of the Water
The following requirements are in place to minimize the length of rope floating on the surface of the water and reduce the risk of North Atlantic Right Whales entanglements:
- A maximum of 3.7 metres (2 fathoms) of rope shall be used when attaching secondary buoys to a primary buoy.
- Except for the rope used to attach secondary buoys, it is prohibited at all times to leave any rope floating on the surface of the water.
Note: A primary buoy is defined as a buoy or other floating device attached to a fishing gear. A secondary buoy is defined as a buoy or other floating device attached to a primary buoy.
7.6 Gear Marking
All licence holders using fixed gear must mark the rope used to attach a fishing gear to a primary buoy with colours specific to the region, targeted species and fishing area in which they are authorized to fish. This requirement is intended to facilitate the identification of the area where an entanglement has occurred.
- Groundfish (longline) : Green-Pink
The gear marking requirement consisting of interlacing different coloured twine sections within existing rope must be implemented as follows:
- The first colour to identify specific Region – to be interlaced on the same segment of rope as the second colour.
- The second colour to identify target Species – to be interlaced on the same segment of rope as the first colour.
The above coloured twine markings must be permanently interlaced within the rope. Each coloured twine must be interlaced in the rope on a minimum length of 15 cm. The use of paint or tape is not an admissible alternative to twine.
For more information
The minimum requirements regarding the number and position of colour markings are detailed in the Conditions of licence. Please refer to the Notice to Fish Harvesters of August 14, 2020 available at the following link:
7.7 Requirement to Report Lost and Retrieved Gear
Lost gear reporting
Lost fishing gear is defined as any active fishing gear previously set by the licence holder and fishing vessel operator which was sought but not found.
Lost fishing gear must be reported within 24 hours of returning to port at the end of the fishing trip. Reports of lost gear must be submitted to Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) through the FISHING GEAR Reporting system available online at https://gg-ef.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/en or by completing the Lost fishing gear form available online at http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/reporting or in Annex of Conditions of licence, according to instructions on the form.
If the licence holder and fishing vessel operator are using an Electronic logbook, lost fishing gear must be reported to Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) within 24 hours of returning to port at the end of the fishing trip. Reports of lost gear must be submitted to Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) by completing the section reserved for that purpose in its electronic logbook. The licence holder and fishing vessel operator can also use the reporting methods indicated in the previous paragraph.
Retrieved gear reporting
The licence holder and fishing vessel operator must report the retrieval of any of their own previously reported lost gear within 24 hours of returning to port at the end of the fishing trip. Reports of retrieved gear must be submitted to Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) through the Fishing gear reporting system available online at https://gg-ef.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/en or by completing the Retrieval of previously reported lost fishing gear form available online at http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/reporting or in Annex of Conditions of licence, according to instructions on the form. Retrieval can only occur during the validity period of the Conditions of licence and only in relation to the specific type of gear authorized to be used by the Conditions of licence.
If the licence holder and fishing vessel operator are using an Electronic logbook , the retrieval of any of their own previously reported lost gear must be reported within 24 hours of returning to port at the end of the fishing trip. Reports of retrieved gear must be submitted to Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) by completing the section reserved for that purpose in its electronic logbook. The licence holder and fishing vessel operator can also use the reporting methods indicated in the previous paragraph.
8. What to Do if You Observe a North Atlantic Right Whale
First of all, it is important to maintain a minimum distance of 100 meters from the animal and 200 meters if the whale is accompanied by a calve. Details regarding sightings of live and free-swimming right whales may be provided to DFO at: XMARWhalesightings@dfo-mpo.gc.ca or by phone at 1-844-800-8568. If you observe this species, please send us your contact information and information about the sighting (date, time, geographical position, number of individuals, etc.). If possible, you can also send us photos or videos.
If you see a right whale entangled in fishing gear, you should not under any circumstances attempt to release it on your own. The behaviour of an entangled individual is unpredictable and dangerous. You should contact "Marine Mammal Emergencies" at 1-877-722-5346 as soon as possible to share information that will help to organize an appropriate response by experts (time and position of the entangled animal, behaviour of the individual, details on the weather and the state of the sea, etc.).
9. Marine Mammal Interaction Reporting
Licence holders and fishing vessel operators must provide information regarding all interactions with a marine mammal that occur during fishing expeditions including: bycatch, collisions and all sightings of entangled marine mammals, within 48 hours after the end of a fishing trip. To do this, the licence holder and fishing vessel operator must complete the section reserved for that purpose in its ELOG or the marine mammal interaction form available online at https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/species-especes/mammals-mammiferes/report-rapport/page01-eng.html and attached to the Conditions of licence, and it must be submitted as per the instructions provided on the form.
The information provided will be used by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) to estimate levels of accidental mortality and injury to marine mammals. This information will allow DFO to better assess the types of threats that may affect Canada's marine mammals and to develop mitigation strategies.
In addition, if you observe a dead or distressed animal, please contact Marine Mammal Emergencies as soon as possible at 1-877-722-5346. If possible, do not hesitate to take photos or videos that will allow DFO to assess the situation and identify the species.
10. Fishing Activities Declaration and Monitoring
Licence holders must keep a true record of their fishing activities and catches in their Combined form or in their Electronic logbook.
10.1 Combined form / Logbook
Fishermen must acquire their booklet of Combined Forms from a prequalified supplier, identified by DFO, whose list is available at the following address: Prequalified logbook and combined form suppliers completed it according to the instructions specified in the document and provide it to the dockside observer, or any other person designated by DFO, at landing.
The logbook portion of this form must be properly completed each fishing day before docking
10.2 Electronic logbook
The use of an electronic logbook (Elog) is optional in 2025. Fish harvesters must use a client application approved by Fisheries and Oceans Canada for the Quebec region for the form ELOG – Logbook – Groundfish. Furthermore, fish harvesters must have obtained and installed their Elog Key in their client application in order to allow data transmission to the Department.
The Elog must be completed for each fishing expedition and “closed” before arriving at port. A fishing expedition means a voyage that commences at the time a fishing vessel leaves a port to engage in fishing and terminates at the time fish caught during that period are offloaded. Hence, when a fisher goes back to port for a reason other than for offloading fish and leaves port again, the fishing expedition goes on until fish are offloaded.
To consult the list of client applications approved by the Department and to obtain you Elog key, visit Fisheries and Ocean’s web page at the following address: Electronic logbooks (ELOGs).
To request a modification to data that has been transmitted to Fisheries and Oceans, you must communicate with the client support service at 1-877-535-7307.
10.3 Vessel Monitoring System
As announced in the 2024–2025 CHP for Atlantic halibut in divisions 4RST for the fixed gear fleet under 19.81 m in the Magdalen Islands, and in the Fishermen`s Notice published on March 4, 2024, the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) is now mandatory for groundfish fixed gear licence holders in the Magdalen Islands fleet.
All vessels participating in the fishery must be equipped with an active VMS approved by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Each licence holder must register their approved VMS with DFO prior to the commencement of their fishing activities. Data must be transmitted every 5 minutes.
The current list of DFO-approved VMS units and the procedure and form to register a VMS unit are available at the following address: National Vessel Monitoring System.
10.4 Hail prior to departure
Hail-out are mandatory for all participants.
Licence holders are required to contact the DFO hail-out system before 19:00 the day before each fishing trip.
10.5 At-sea observers
The industry-funded at-sea observers program applies based on a minimum coverage of 10% of the fishing trips.
The licence holder must have an agreement in place with a DFO-accredited and designated company prior to the beginning of a fishing trip.
If an individual or a fleet is suspected of discarding groundfish at sea, in addition to other regulatory options including fishery closures and legal proceedings, at-sea observer coverage may be increased.
The list of accredited and designated companies is available on the DFO website : List of Qualified and Designated Companies
10.6 Dockside Monitoring
The Dockside Monitoring Program (DMP) is mandatory for 100% of landings.
Prior to the beginning of a fishing trip, licence holders must have an agreement with a dockside monitoring company legally designated by DFO Quebec Region whose list is available at the following address: Monitoring Programs
Landings must be made at one of the designated ports listed on the DFO website: Designated Dockside Monitoring Ports (dfo-mpo.gc.ca)
When using an Electronic logbook, you must communicate your unique Electronic Logbook Identifier to the Dockside Monitoring Company when hailing in, and also provide it to the dockside observer.
10.7 Re-embarkation of Fish
Licence holders who land their catch in a designated port located outside Groundfish Fishing Subdivision 4T2a are authorized to re-embark fish on board the fishing vessel in order transport it to a designated port within Groundfish Fishing Subdivision 4T2a. The re-embarked fish will be subject to a second dockside monitoring at the time of the second landing.
11. Catch Management
11.1 Bycatch protocol
Bycatch is defined as the round weight of a bycatch species divided by the round weight of the targeted species.
The authorized groundfish by-catch limits per fishing trip when directing on Atlantic halibut in NAFO Divisions 4RST are :
- Cod : 30% or 45 kg per fishing trip;
- Greenland halibut: 3% per fishing trip;
- White hake: 10% per fishing trip;
- Shark: The lesser of 10% or 500 kg per fishing trip
- For all other groundfish species: the limit is 10% daily.
If bycatch limits per fishing trip are exceeded, the fishery may be closed and legal proceedings may be initiated.
The target species during a fishing expedition is the species for which a fisher holds licence conditions.
11.2 Small fish protocol
The minimum size of fish relative to the small fish protocol is:
- Cod
43 cm - American plaice
30 cm - Witch flounder 30 cm
- White hake 45 cm
- Winter flounder
25 cm - Yellowtail flounder 25 cm
- Atlantic halibut 85 cm
- Greenland halibut 44 cm
- Redfish 22 cm
Areas could be closed to fishing for the fleet, or part of the fleet, when the number of undersized fish reaches 15% of the catch of any of the above species.
All catches of Atlantic halibut less than 85 cm must be returned to the water immediately. When live fish is returned to the water, it must be handled in a manner that causes it the least harm possible.
11.3 Catch monitoring and test fishery
Small fish and bycatch closures are for a minimum duration of 10 days. The cost of conducting test fisheries is borne by the industry. If a fishery is closed, it will not reopen until DFO feels that it can be effectively monitored and controlled. If a fishery is closed twice during the same year because of high levels of small fish or incidental catch, the fishery may remain closed for the remainder of the year.
12. Particularities Applicable to the Fishery
12.1 Characteristics and Use of Boats
Vessels with an overall length (LOA) less than 15,24 m may be used.
12.2 Partnership
Partnership arrangements involving up to three licence holders on board the same fishing vessel are permitted. The quantity of hooks allowed for partnerships is equal a) to the total number of hooks allowed to the licence holder with the highest revised ITQ, plus b) 50% of the hooks authorized to the additional licence holders.
Partnership agreements are valid for the duration of the fishing period for which the Conditions of licence are issued, either for Period 1 (summer-fall) or for Period 2 (spring).
Landings are accounted for on a prorata basis according to the respective revised ITQs.
Licence holders participating in a partnership agreement will be held jointly responsible for any violations committed during fishing activities carried out under the terms of their agreement, where applicable.
12.3 Conversion Rate
The conversion rate from eviscerated Atlantic halibut weight to round (whole) fish weight is 1.14. The conversion rate of head off gutted Atlantic halibut weight to round (whole) fish weight is 1.25. The round weight is the weight before any treatment.
12.4 Simultaneous fisheries
The simultaneous fishing of Atlantic halibut and any other groundfish species is prohibited.
13. Species At Risk Act
Pursuant to the Species at Risk Act, no person shall kill, harm, harass, capture, take, possess, collect, buy, sell or trade an individual or any part or derivate of a wildlife species designated as extirpated, endangered or threatened.
At the time this harvesting plan is promulgated, the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence species susceptible to being captured are the following: the Spotted Wolffish, the Northern Wolffish, the Leatherback Turtle, the Striped Bass (St. Lawrence River population) and exceptionally the White Shark (Atlantic population). New species could be added during the course of the year.
Any incidental capture of a species at risk must be immediately returned to the water where it was captured and, if the animal is still alive, in the manner that causes it the least harm. All incidental captures of species at risk must be recorded in the « Species at Risk » section of the logbook. Furthermore, all interactions with species at risk, notably the North Atlantic Right Whale, the Blue Whale (Atlantic population), the Beluga Whale (St. Lawrence Estuary population) and the White Shark (Atlantic population), must be recorded in this section of the logbook.
These requirements are in addition to any obligation to declare an interaction with a marine mammal using the prescribed form (see section « Marine mammal interaction reporting »).
14. Crew registry
Since April 1st, 2021, inshore commercial licence holders and their approved substitute operators must keep records of all the crew members working aboard the vessel on every fishing trip. These records must be maintained by the licence holder for a period of five (5) years. This requirement does not apply to pre-1979 corporation licences and to any licence issued under the authority of the Aboriginal Communal Fishing Licences Regulations. For further details, refer to the March 17th, 2021 , contact 1-877-535-7307, or fishing-peche@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
15. Discharge of waste
Since 2022, all commercial fisheries in Canada have a new condition of licence relating to the discharge of garbage from Canadian fishing vessels. The licence holder is prohibited from discarding in Canadian fisheries waters any item that may be harmful to fish or fish habitat . Please refer to the following Notice to Fish Harvesters: New condition of licence relating to discharge of garbage (dfo-mpo.gc.ca).
16. Conditions of licence
To obtain their Conditions of licence, licence holders must access the National Online Licensing System. For National Online Licensing System assistance, please contact customer support by phone at 1 877‑535-7307 or by email at fishing-peche@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
Approved by:
Maryse Lemire
Fisheries Management Regional Director
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Quebec
For any question regarding this CHP
Magdalen Islands area: 418-986-2095.
For additional information
Please visit our website at the following address: Fisheries and Oceans Canada.