Antigonish, Nova Scotia (NS) – June 30, 2026 – Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) announces the Atlantic halibut fishery will open for Gulf Nova Scotia (GNS) fixed-gear licence holders, using vessel class A69 in the portions of NAFO Division 4T known as 4T1, 4T5, 4T7 4T8, 4T2b and the southern portion of 4T2a enclosed by rhumb lines joining the following points in the order in which they are listed below:
| Point | Latitude (North) | Longitude (West) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 47º40'00'' | 60º35'02,1'' |
| 2 | 47º40'00' | 63°18'55,76" |
| 3 | 47°33'00" | 63°26'42" |
| 4 | 47°30'00" | 63°30'00" |
| 5 | 46°50'00" | 61°32'00" |
| 6 | 47°00'00" | 61°21'24" |
| 7 | 47º09'00'' | 61º10'00'' |
| 8 | 47º40'00'' | 60º35'02,1'' |
There are approximately 67 tonnes (t) of quota available for the GNS Atlantic halibut summer fishery.
The openings are scheduled as follows:
- 05:00 Wednesday, July 15, 2026 to 20:00 Friday, July 17, 2026
- 05:00 Wednesday, July 29, 2026 to 20:00 Friday, July 31, 2026
- 05:00 Wednesday, August 12, 2026 to 20:00 Friday, August 14, 2026
- 05:00 Wednesday, August 26, 2026 to 20:00 Friday, August 28, 2026
The opening dates may be modified due to weather conditions or landings. Landings will be monitored, and the length of openings and fishing areas may be adjusted based on the remaining quota after each opening.
As noted in the Spring Notice to Fish Harvesters, the number of hooks that may be used or carried on board the vessel is authorized under the licence conditions, up to a maximum of 3,000 hooks.
Replacement vessels or vessel transfers will only be authorized from another fisher whose homeport is in the GNS administrative area.
Should portions or all of 4T1, 4T5, 4T7, 4T8, 4T2a or 4T2b be closed under the North Atlantic right whale (NARW) dynamic closure protocol, Atlantic halibut fishing for the vessel class A69 will be permitted. However, it will be mandatory to closely attend fishing gear, as identified in the conditions of licence.
Fishers are reminded that during the period where fishing is authorized, it is the responsibility of the licence holder to take into account the marine safety notices issued, among others, by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Transport Canada, as well as the standards and best practices in marine safety, and to take all measures to ensure a safe fishery.
2026 Management measures to minimize interactions with North Atlantic right whales
The Management measures to minimize interactions with North Atlantic Right Whales (NARW) can be found at the following address: 2026 fishery management measures.