Tracadie, New Brunswick (NB) – July 3, 2026 - Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is announcing the fisheries management measures for the Eastern New Brunswick (ENB) fixed-gear licence holders fishing Atlantic Halibut in Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Division 4T.
The opening for this fishery is scheduled to take place on July 7, 2026 from 5:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. the same day. This period may be modified due to inclement weather or other uncontrollable circumstances. If conditions do not allow for a July 7, 2026 opening, industry will be consulted before a new date is announced.
The maximum number of hooks per licence holder is 200.
The Atlantic Halibut allocation for the ENB fixed gear fleet will be 155.327 metric tonnes (t) for 2026. This consists of an initial allocation of 222.791 t, less the 67.464 t overrun from the allocation of 2025. Any overrun of the 2026 allocation will be taken on a one-to-one basis from the 2027 allocation of Atlantic Halibut assigned to this fleet.
For the proper management of the offloading of catches, dockside monitoring will only be offered at the following landing ports:
- Petit-Rocher
- Stonehaven
- Caraquet
- Miscou
- Ste-Marie/St-Raphaël
- Pigeon Hill
- Shippagan
- Val-Comeau
- Tabusintac
- Neguac
- Escuminac
- Pointe-Sapin
- Cap-Lumière
These designated landing ports are included in the conditions of licence.
Licence conditions are available in the National Online Licensing System (NOLS).
Groundfish Fishing Areas (GFA) 4T5 and 4T7
DFO has authorized halibut fishing in GFA 4T5 and 4T7 for the 2026 season.
Bycatch of Gulf of St. Lawrence Groundfish Stocks subject to rebuilding plans
In accordance with the rebuilding plans for four groundfish stocks in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (NAFO 4T and 4TVn), the 2026-2027 TAC and associated bycatch limits per trip for 4T Winter Flounder, 4TVn Atlantic Cod, 4T American Plaice and 4T White Hake are established as follows:
| Stock | TAC (t) | Maximum Bycatch Limit per Fishing Trip (%) |
Time period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter Flounder (4T) | 150 | 25 | Until May 14, 2027 |
| Atlantic Cod (4TVn) | 236.14* | 15 | Until May 14, 2027 |
| American Plaice (4T) | 90 | 10 | Until May 14, 2027 |
| White Hake (4T) | 30 | 5 | Until May 14, 2027 |
Note: * Including 90 t for bycatch
The inshore Atlantic Halibut fleets from the Gulf region will be allocated 10.350 t of 4TVn Atlantic cod and 3 t of 4T White Hake to cover bycatch during the fishery.