Notices to Fish Harvesters
ATLANTIC HALIBUT 4RST FIXED GEAR FLEET WITH ITQ – NORTH SHORE SECTOR SEASON 2026–2027 - CHP
Approved May 14, 2026
1. Application
This Conservation Harvesting Plan (CHP) for Atlantic halibut applies to all groundfish licence holders from the Upper and Middle North Shore (UMNS) and Lower North Shore (LNS) fleets of less than 19.81 m when conducting Atlantic halibut fishing activities in Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) 4RST Divisions from May 15, 2026 until May 14, 2027. Please note that:
This CHP is subject to change following Departmental decisions or annual review;
Separate CHPs are available for directed fishing of any other groundfish species;
When fishing takes place outside of the 4RST divisions, the PPAC for the division where operations are conducted applies;
The target species for a fishing expedition is the species for which a fisherman holds valid Conditions of licence;
Round weight is the weight before any processing.
2. Fishing Areas
Based on valid Conditions of licence and subject to a Variation Order, licence holders are authorized to fish for Atlantic halibut in Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Divisions 4RST.
The fishing areas coordinates are listed in the Conditions of licence and are also indicated on the fishing areas maps. When fishing takes place in a NAFO division other than those specified in this CHP, the CHP for that division applies.
3. Fishing closures
3.1 Coral and Sponge Conservation Areas in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence
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 forbidden in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence coral and sponge 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.
3.2 Banc-des-Américains Marine Protected Area
Provisions of the Banc-des-Américains Marine Protected Area Regulations apply to licence holders. In order to comply with them, please refer to the clauses that apply to your fishing activities: Banc-des-Américains Marine Protected Area Regulations.
3.3 Protection of fish during spawning and cod concentrations
Protecting fish during the spawning period and in areas where juveniles are concentrated is a priority for the Department and the industry in order to support the recovery of cod stocks in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The following conservation measures are in effect:
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.
From January 1 to December 31:
Closure of the groundfish fishery in a portion of Subdivision 4T3 (Miscou Bank) bounded by the rhumb lines connecting points 1, 2, 3, 4, and 1 below, in the order listed, with the exception of the portion bounded by the rhumb lines connecting points 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 2, which remains open to Atlantic halibut fishing 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" W8. 47º52'00" N 64º15'00" W
3.4 Temporary closure for Atlantic Halibut targeted fishery
Licence holders are advised that a temporary closure zone covering part of Division 4T is in effect due to previously observed excessive bycatch of cod. This area, bounded by the rhumb lines connecting the following points in the order listed, will remain closed until further notice:
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
The following two fishing periods apply to the UMNS and LNS fleets:
First period: May 15 to October 31, 2026
Second period: April 1 to May 14, 2027
Licence holders are authorized to participate in both fishing periods; however, they must ensure, prior to any fishing expedition, that they hold sufficient quotas to cover the catches that are likely to be made during the fishing expedition.
The fishing seasons established in this section represent the maximum fishing periods, subject among other things to Variation orders and specific closure periods. Thus, opening dates may vary depending on particular circumstances and fisheries management considerations, including industry requests and the announcement of TACs, while closures may be moved forward, according to factors such as the reach of quotas or when there is a high probability of exceeding them. The specific periods will be confirmed by Notices to Fish harvesters or Variation Orders.It should be reminded that during the period when fishing is authorized, it is the captain’s responsibility to be aware of notices issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Transport Canada regarding marine safety, as well as safety standards and best practices, and to take all necessary measures to ensure safe fishing operations.
5. Number of licences and access
As of the publication of this PPAC:
the UMNS’ ITQ program for fixed-gear fleet under 19.81 m had 61 licences;
the LNS’ ITQ program for fixed-gear fleet under 19.81 m had 139 licences.
6. Management Regime amd quotas
6.1 Management Regime
The UMNS’ fixed gear fleet of vessels under 19.81 m and the LNS’ fixed gear fleet of vessels under 19.81 m are managed under their respective Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ) programs. The administrative guidelines for the ITQ programs for Atlantic halibut are included in the Regional guidelines for the management of individual transferable quota programs.
6.2 Quotas
The Atlantic halibut allocation for 4RST divisions comes in part from the base allocation granted to fixed gear Gulf fleets under 19.81 m, in part from the allocation for mobile gear fleets (246.7 t) transferred to fixed-gear coastal fleets, and from the carry-over of the 2025–2026 residual allocation for mobile-gear fleets (57.0 t), in accordance with the established sharing formulas.
For 2026–2027, the total quota allocated to Quebec’s three geographic fleets is 1,660.7 t. The distribution of this quota, carried out under the fleet share adjustment agreement agreed upon by the industry and recognized by DFO, is therefore as follows:
North Shore = 306,025 t (18,4277 %);
Gaspésie = 1 111,665 t (66,9401 %);
Magdalen Islands = 242,995 t (14,6322 %).
Any additional quota allocated to Quebec’s fixed-gear fleets will be divided according to these same percentages.
In accordance with the permanent quota-sharing agreement for the North Shore’s fixed-gear fleets, the sectoral quota of 306,025 t is divided as follows:
UMNS = 165,254 t (54%)
LNS = 140,772 t (46%)
6.3 Carry-over of quotas
The carry-over of residual Atlantic halibut quotas from the 2025-2026 management year is authorized in 2026-2027, up to a maximum of 15% of the initial quota established at the beginning of the management cycle that began on May 15, 2025.
6.4 Quota reconciliation
Under quota reconciliation, any quota overruns in a given year, whether within an ITQ system or in a competitive fishery, are deducted by a one-for-one factor from the quota established for the following season. The procedures regulating quota transfers are described in the Regional guidelines for the management of individual transferable quota programs and its Appendix. Transfers are taken into account in a given management year up to a deadline, after which the Department compiles the final fishing data. This date corresponds to the end of the groundfish fishery management year, May 14. During the month following that date, the Department makes the necessary adjustments to the current year’s quotas, taking into account any ITQ overruns, if applicable.Under the quota reconciliation system, any individual quota overruns incurred by a licence holder during a season will be deducted, on a one-to-one basis, from their individual quota for the following season. It is the licence holder's responsibility to monitor their quotas to ensure that catches made during their fishing activities comply with their allocated quotas, taking into account carryovers, transfers, and landings. It is also the licence holder's responsibility to make the necessary arrangements to cover any quota overruns that occurred during previous fishing expeditions and to ensure, prior to the departure of a new fishing expedition, that they hold the necessary quota to cover the catches that are likely to be made during that expedition.
7. Catch management
7.1 Characteristics of authorized catches
The minimum commercial size is 85 cm.
7.2 Bycatch protocol
It is the licence holder's responsibility to ensure they have the necessary ITQs to cover the bycatch that is likely to be caught during their fishing expedition.
The bycatch percentage is determined by dividing the round weight of the accidentally caught species by the round weight of the target species.
The authorized bycatch limits for groundfish per fishing expedition in NAFO Division 4RST are:
Cod 4T: The greater of 15% or 25 kg per fishing expedition;
Cod 4RS: The greater of 30% or 45 kg per fishing expedition;
Greenland halibut: 3% per fishing expedition;
White hake: 5% per fishing expedition;
Blue shark: The lesser of 10% or 500 kg per fishing expedition, and the fisheman must hold Conditions of licence authorizing shark bycatch;
Other groundfish species: 10% per fishing expedition.
If bycatch limits per fishing expedition were exceeded, the fishery could be closed and legal proceedings could be initiated.If licence holders participate in a QIT fishing program for any groundfish species other than Atlantic halibut in 2026–2027, bycatch of those same species will be deducted from their ITQs.
7.3 Small fish protocol
The minimum size of fish under 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 may be closed to fishing for the fleet or parts of the fleet when the number of undersized fish reaches 15% of the catch of any of the aforementioned species.All specimens of Atlantic halibut less than 85 cm must be returned to the water immediately and, if the fish is still alive, handled in a manner that causes it the least harm.
7.4 Catch monitoring and test fisheries
Small fish and bycatch closures due to high catch levels are for a minimum duration of 10 days. The cost of conducting all test fisheries is borne by the industry. If a fishery is closed, it will remain closed until DFO determines that it can be effectively monitored and controlled. If any particular fishery is closed twice during the same year because of high levels of bycatch or small fish, it may remain closed for the remainder of the year.
8. Fishing Gear
The fishing gear allowed is the longline.
8.1 Number of Authorized Fishing Gear
The quantity of hooks authorized varies depending on the fleet and the allocation held by the licence holder, including the quantities transferred or received by transfer.The maximum number of hooks permitted for each fleet, based on their allocated quotas, is as follows:
8.1.1 UMNS Fleet
0 to 250 kg: 100 hooks251 to 500 kg: 250 hooks501 to 1500 kg: 1000 hooks
1501 to 3500 kg: 1500 hooks
3501 kg and more: 2000 hooks
8.1.2 LNS Fleet
0 to 199 kg: 100 hooks
200 to 549 kg: 250 hooks
550 and over: 1000 hooks
On any fishing expedition, each licence holder must carry documentation of the quantities of Atlantic halibut that they have transferred or received through transfers.It is prohibited to have more fishing gear on board the vessel than the maximum allowed for fishing under the allocation held.
8.2 Characteristics of Fishing Gear
The opening of the longline hooks must be equal to or greater than 15.4 mm.
Amount of rope floating on the surface of the water: The following requirements have been implemented to minimize the length of rope floating on the surface of the water and reduce the risk of North Atlantic right whales becoming entangled:
When one or more secondary buoys are attached to a primary buoy, a maximum of 6.4 meters (3.5 fathoms) of rope may be used.
With the exception of the rope used to attach secondary buoys, it is prohibited at all times to allow any rope to float on the surface of the water.
Note: A primary buoy is defined as a buoy or other float attached to a fishing gear. A secondary buoy is defined as a buoy or other float attached to a primary buoy.
8.3 Hauling and soaking duration
It is the licence holders’ responsibility to ensure that the soak time of their fishing gear never exceeds 72 hours.
8.4 Identification of fishing gear
8.4.1 Rope marking
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.The minimum requirements regarding the number and position of colour markings are detailed in the Conditions of licence. Information is available in the Notice to Fish harvesters dated August 14, 2020.
8.4.2 Additional Buoy Identification
In addition to the regulatory requirement to mark buoys with the vessel’s registration number (VRN), licence holders must add a sequential number to each main buoy in order to be able to individually identify each fishing gear.
8.5 Requirement to Report Lost and Retrieved Gear
The licence holder and the fishing vessel operator must report any loss or recovery of fishing gear. Reports regarding the loss or recovery of gear must be submitted to DFO through the online Fishing Gear Reporting System or by completing and submitting the Lost Fishing Gear Form or the Retrieval of Previously Reported Lost Fishing Gear Form, which are available online and attached to the Conditions of licence.
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 im accordance with the Conditions of licence. To do so, the licence holder and fishing vessel operator must complete the section reserved for that purpose in his ELOG or the marine mammal interaction form available on the Report a marine mammal or sea turtle incident or sighting page and attached to the Conditions of licence, and it must be submitted as per the instructions provided on the form.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
10.1 Hail out
Hail prior departure are mandatory for all participants.Licence holders must call the DFO hail out system by 7:00 PM the day before each fishing expedition.
10.2 At-sea Observer
Industry-funded at-sea observers program applies to a minimum coverage of 10% of fishing expeditions.
Before the start of a fishing expedition, licence holders must have come to an agreement regarding at-sea observers coverage with a company legally designated by DFO-Quebec Region.
If an individual or fleet is suspected of discarding groundfish at sea, in addition to other regulatory options including fishery closures and court proceedings, there may be an increase of at-sea observer coverage.Please consult the List of accredited and designated companies on the DFO website.
10.3 Vessel Monitoring System (VMS)
All vessels must be equipped with an active Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) approved by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Each licence holder must register their approved VMS with DFO prior to the beginning of their fishing activities. Data must be transmitted every 30 minutes.Please visit the National Vessel Monitoring System page on the DFO website to view the list of approved units, as well as the procedure and form for registering a VMS with DFO.
10.4 Logbook
Licence holders must keep a true record of their fishing activities and catches in their Combined form or in their Electronic logbook in accordance with their Conditions of licence.
10.4.1 Combined form / Logbook
Licence holders must acquire their booklet of Combined form from a prequalified supplier identified by DFO, complete it in accordance with the instructions specified in the document and give it to the dockside observer or any other person designated by DFO at the time of landing.The Logbook section must be duly completed before arrival at port on each fishing day, in accordance with the Conditions of licence.
10.4.2 Electronic logbook
The use of an electronic logbook (Elog) is optional for the 2026–2027 management year.
The client application used must be approved by Fisheries and Oceans Canada for Quebec Region for the form ELOG – Logbook – Groundfish. Furthermore, fish harvesters must have obtained their Elog Key and entered it into their client application to enable the transmission of their data 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 fisherman 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 the Electronic Logbooks (ELOGs) page of Fisheries and Ocean’s website.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.
10.4.3 Recording of interactions with Winter Skate
When fishing in NAFO subdivisions 4T5 and 4T7, all interactions with Winter Skate while fishing for Atlantic halibut must be accurately recorded in the “comments” section of the logbook.
10.5 Dockside Monitoring
The Dockside Monitoring Program (DMP) is mandatory for 100% of landings.
Before the start of a fishing expedition, licence holders must have come to an agreement regarding Hail-Out and the landing of fish with a company legally designated by DFO, a list of which is available on the Dockside Monitoring Program page of the DFO website.
Landings must be done at a designated port which appears on the Designated Dockside Monitoring Ports list published on DFO’s website.When a licence holder uses an electronic logbook, they must provide their unique electronic logbook identifier to the dockside monitoring company when making their hail‑in call and also provide it to the dockside observer.
11. Specific Provisions Applicable to the Fishery
11.1 Characteristics and Use of Boats
Unless there are exceptional circumstances, the rental of boats from outside the North Shore and the use of boats over 15.24 m will not be permitted.
11.2 Buddy-up
The buddy-up is authorized between licence holders of the same fleet. For the UMNS fleet, a maximum of two licence holders per buddy-ip agreement is allowed. For the LNS fleet, a maximum of five licence holders per buddy-up agreement is allowed.
Only one buddy-up agreement per licence holder per year is authorized. All licence holders registered in the agreement must be on board the same vessel. Landings are counted in proportion to the respective ITQs.
Licence holders benefiting from a buddy-up agreement will be jointly responsible for any violation committed during fishing activities resulting from their agreement, if applicable.
Licence holders involved in a buddy-up agreement may use a maximum number of gears equivalent to the sum of the maximum number authorized for each licence holder involved in the buddy-up agreement. Please refer to section 8.1 of this CHP for the number of gear authorized.The agreement must be submitted to DFO at least 5 working days before the first fishing expedition. Except for exceptional reasons, the buddy-up is effective for the duration of the fishing season of the species concerned. Furthermore, unless there are exceptional reasons, DFO will not issue any replacement authorization to licence holders involved in a buddy-up agreement.
11.3 Conversion Rate
The conversion rate from gutted 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.
11.4 Simultaneous fisheries
Simultaneous fishing for Atlantic Halibut with longline and snow crab may be permitted under certain conditions. The fish harvester must refer to the Conditions of licence and ensure that they comply with them.In addition, fish harvesters must hold valid Conditions of licence to engage in this simultaneous fishery.
12. 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 Conservation 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.
All incidental captures of species at risk must be immediately returned to the water where they were 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) and the Beluga Whale (St. Lawrence Estuary population), must be recorded in this section of the logbook.These requirements are additional to any obligation to declare an interaction with a marine mammal using the prescribed form (see section 9 - Marine Mammal Interaction Reporting).
13. Crew registry
All independent core licence holder and their approved substitute designated operators must keep records of all the crew members working aboard the vessel on every fishing expedition in accordance with their Conditions of licence. This requirement does not apply to pre-1979 corporation licence holders, midshore licence holders nor to any holder of a licence issued under the authority of the Aboriginal Communal Fishing Licences Regulations. For further details, refer to the March 17th, 2021 Notice to fish harvesters or contact the Customer support at 1-877-535-7307 or fishing-peche@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
14. Discharge of waste
The licence holder and fishing vessel operator are prohibited from discarding in Canadian fisheries waters from their vessel 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.
15. Conditions of licence
To obtain their Conditions of licence, fish harvesters 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.
Note: In the event of a discrepancy between the French and English versions of the CHP, the French version shall prevail.
Approved by:
Maryse Lemire
Fisheries Management Regional Director
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Quebec
For any question regarding this CHP you may call at :
North Shore Area: 1-800-463-1729
For additional information
Please visit our Fisheries-DFO Quebec Region web page.