Ottawa, Ontario (ON) – April 10, 2026 - Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is advising Redfish harvesters that the spring spawning closure, effective since April 1, has been lifted for the remainder of the 2025-26 fishing season. The Redfish commercial fishery will be open effective at 23:59 Atlantic Daylight Time (ADT) on April 10, 2026, through May 14, 2026, in the following Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) areas:
- Divisions 4RST
- Subdivision 4Vn
- Subdivision 3Pn
Targeted Area Closure – Atlantic Cod Bycatch Mitigation (4TVn)
To mitigate the risk of Atlantic Cod bycatch during a known seasonal aggregation period, the targeted area closure in portions of NAFO Divisions 4T and 4Vn announced February 24, 2026, remains in effect until May 14, 2026.
This closure applies to all fleets and is intended to reduce the likelihood of bycatch events during the early spring period.
Previously established spatial closures, as per 2025-26 Conservation Harvesting Plans (CHPs), remain in place. Other targeted fishery closures may be implemented if applicable bycatch caps or allocations are reached.
Enhanced Monitoring Requirements
Until May 14, a 50% at sea observer (ASO) coverage requirement applies to all vessels under 30.48 metres (100 feet) participating in the Unit 1 Redfish fishery. A 100% ASO coverage requirement continues to apply to all vessels over 30.48 metres. This measure is intended to mitigate risks related to bycatch, unauthorized discards, and to ensure accurate catch reporting. Other monitoring requirements and management measures remain in place and continue to apply, as per the 2025-26 CHP. An updated CHP will be provided to fleets once finalized.
Harvesters are responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable licence conditions, closures, and monitoring requirements.
Conditions of Licence
Fish harvesters wishing to participate in this fishery must apply for their conditions of licence through the National Online Licensing System (NORS).
For assistance with the NORS, please contact customer support by phone at 1-877-535-7307 or by email at fishing-peche@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
Areas Closed to Unit 1 Redfish in NAFO Division 4T and Subdivision 4Vn
Directed fishing for Redfish is prohibited in the area enclosed by the following coordinates during the closure period:
NAFO Division 4T Closed Area (see map below)
1. 47° 58' 05.8" N; 60° 51' 23.0" W
2. 47° 57' 56.6" N; 60° 43' 21.0" W
3. 47° 41' 09.1" N; 60° 16' 05.9" W
4. 47° 35' 05.4" N; 60° 07' 48.4" W
5. 47° 08' 49.7" N; 60° 21' 28.1" W
6. 47° 11' 40.4" N; 60° 25' 32.2" W
7. 47° 22' 27.6" N; 60° 25' 00.8" W
8. 47° 54' 19.3" N; 60° 51' 32.4" W
9. 47° 58' 05.8" N; 60° 51' 23.0" W
NAFO Division 4Vn Closed Area (see map below)
1. 47° 35' 05.4" N; 60° 07' 48.4" W
2. 47° 21' 33.7" N; 59° 49' 18.1" W
3. 46° 50' 17.7" N; 59° 51' 09.4" W
4. 46° 50' 24.1" N; 59° 55' 04.8" W
5. 47° 08' 49.7" N; 60° 21' 28.1" W
| Points | Latitude North | Latitude West |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 47° 58' 05.8" N | 60° 51' 23.0" W |
| 2 | 47° 57' 56.6" N | 60° 43' 21.0" W |
| 3 | 47° 41' 09.1" N | 60° 16' 05.9" W |
| 4 | 47° 35' 05.4" N | 60° 07' 48.4" W |
| 5 | 47° 08' 49.7" N | 60° 21' 28.1" W |
| 6 | 47° 11' 40.4" N | 60° 25' 32.2" W |
| 7 | 47° 22' 27.6" N | 60° 25' 00.8" W |
| 8 | 47° 54' 19.3" N | 60° 51' 32.4" W |
| 9 | 47° 58' 05.8" N | 60° 51' 23.0" W |
| Points | Latitude North | Latitude West |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 47° 35' 05.4" N | 60° 07' 48.4" W |
| 2 | 47° 21' 33.7" N | 59° 49' 18.1" W |
| 3 | 46° 50' 17.7" N | 59° 51' 09.4" W |
| 4 | 46° 50' 24.1" N | 59° 55' 04.8" W |
| 5 | 47° 08' 49.7" N | 60° 21' 28.1" W |
| 6 | 47° 35' 05.4" N | 60° 07' 48.4" W |