Moncton, New Brunswick (NB) – March 9, 2026 – Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is announcing new management measures for the commercial scallop fishery in the Gulf Region for all Scallop Fishing Areas (SFA) 21, 22, 23 and 24 in 2026.
Results from the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (sGSL), Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Division 4T, Sea Scallop Stock Assessment to 2023, published in 2024, highlight the stock is in the critical zone of the Precautionary Approach and there is a need for more reliable data on landings in the commercial scallop fishery in the sGSL. Industry members were consulted on the potential use of various monitoring tools to improve data collection in 2024, and 2025.
New in 2026
Hail-Out
Scallop licence holders in SFA 21, 22, 23 and 24 will be required to hail-out prior to each fishing trip. The hail-out reporting system implementation and usage will be made available at no cost to fish harvesters.
The toll-free phone number 1-833-699-2013 or 1-506-431-3223 (for satellite phones only) should be used to make hail-outs, to modify, or cancel a hail-out.
Fish harvesters will be required to provide the following information for each hail-out:
- vessel registration number (VRN) or vessel identification number (VIN)
- fishery type
- fishing area
- name
- phone number
- date and time of departure
- departure port
Information collected will be used for statistical and enforcement purposes and will improve catch and effort data in the commercial scallop fishery.
Previously announced for 2026
Electronic logbook (ELOG)
The use of ELOG will be mandatory starting in 2026 for all active scallop licence holders in the sGSL. This requirement applies to all commercial or communal commercial licence holders in SFA 21, 22, 23 and 24. Harvesters who are not active for an entire scallop fishing season are not required to purchase an ELOG application.
Scallop harvesters must download an ELOG application from an approved developer: Qualified electronic logbooks (ELOG) client applications.
New in 2027
Vessel Monitoring System (VMS)
In keeping with its commitment to enhancing the reliability and accuracy of catch data within the commercial scallop fishery, DFO will implement the mandatory use of VMS beginning in 2027 for SFA 21, 22, 23 and 24. Further information on this new requirement will be shared as it becomes available.