Notices to Fish Harvesters

Opening of the Atlantic halibut fishery in NAFO Divisions 4R, 4S, and 4T for fixed gear fleets from Magdalen Islands less than 19.81 m, and announcement of fishery management measures

Date of Notice

 

 

Magdalen Islands – June 10, 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 fixed gear fleets of Magdalen Islands less than 19.81 meters:

  • from June 15 to October 31, 2026, and;
  • from April 1 to April 28, 2027.

The management measures are set forth in the 2026–2027 Conservation Harvested Plan (CHP), which was approved on June 8, 2026, and is available on DFO’s website.

The main changes to the CHP are outlined below.

Quotas

The initial Atlantic halibut allocation for Magdalen Islands fleets is set at 242.995 tons (t) for the 2026–2027 season.

Fishing areas

The NAFO Subdivision 4T7 is now reopened to fishing. License holders and fishing vessel operators may consult the specific provisions related to fishery closures in the 2026–2027 Atlantic halibut CHP for the under‑19.81 m fleet from the Magdalen Islands, as well as in their Conditions of Licence.

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 4R, 4S: The greater of 30% or 45 kg per fishing trip.

By-catch is determined by dividing the round weight of the by-catch species by the round weight of the target species.

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 1-877-535-7307 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

 

 

Julie Aucoin

Resource management

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Îles-de-la-Madeleine (Québec)

 

Magdalen Islands area: 418-986-2095