Notices to Fish Harvesters
NOTICE TO FISH HARVESTERS - NOTICE OF CLOSURE- MACKEREL - BAIT FISHERY
MACKEREL – AREA 15 AND 16 – GULF OF ST-LAWRENCE
2026
Subject: Notice of closure of the second portion of the Atlantic mackerel bait fishery for the 2026 season
Québec – August 19, 2026
Fisheries and Oceans Canada – Quebec Region will be pausing the Atlantic mackerel bait fishery in all Mackerel Fishing Areas as of 12:00 PM (Atlantic Daylight Time) on August 20, 2026. This notice to stop fishing is for conservation purposes as landings are nearing the second 466.67 tons portion of the total allowable catch (TAC).
For harvesters with a multi-species bait licence, please refer to your conditions of licence.
The third opening for the 2026 mackerel bait fishery is planned for early October and will be communicated separately.
For additional information
Contact your area office at the telephone number below. You can also visit our website.
Mathieu Pellerin
Resource management
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
mathieu.pellerin@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Québec (Québec)
Magdalen Islands area: 418-986-2095
North Shore area: 1-800-463-1729
Gaspe- Lower North Shore area: 1-877-898-5559