Notices to Fish Harvesters
Opening of the second portion of the Atlantic mackerel bait fishery for the 2025 season
Quebec – August 21, 2025
Fish harvesters who wish to fish mackerel for bait must request their conditions of licence through the National Online Licensing System (NOLS). Please note that the validity period will be limited. In the event that the quota is not fully caught before the end of the validity period, new conditions of licence will be made available to fish harvesters in NOLS.
The management measures that will be in place for the second portion of this bait fishery are listed below.
2025 MANAGEMENT MEASURES
Authorized fishing gear
A maximum of 3 gillnets of a maximum total length of 50 fathoms with a minimum mesh size of 69.85 mm and maximum mesh size of 73.025 mm OR a maximum of 6 handlines and 36 hooks total.
Maximum daily limit
The maximum daily limit of mackerel that fish harvesters can catch and retain is 454 kg (1 000 lb) in total.
Hail-out
A mandatory hail-out is required for all fish harvesters participating in the mackerel bait fishery.
Hail-in
A mandatory hail-in is required for all fish harvesters participating in the mackerel bait fishery. An accurate catch estimate must be provided before entering port.
Electronic logbook
The use of the Electronic logbook is mandatory. Fish harvesters must use a client application approved by Fisheries and Oceans Canada and must have obtained and installed their Elog Key in their client application in order to allow data transmission to the Department.
Fishing restrictions
It is strictly forbidden to sell, trade or barter any fish caught under the authority of a bait licence.
Other measures
For other management measures, please refer to the Conditions of licence. Eligible licence holders who wish to participate in this fishery can obtain their Conditions of licence through the National Online Licensing System.
For additional information :
Mathieu Pellerin
Resource management
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Quebec region
418-572-9957
Mathieu.Pellerin@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Magdalen Islands area: 418-986-2095
North Shore area 1-800-463-1729
Gaspe- Lower North Shore area: 1-877-898-5559