2025-2027 - Updated eel management plan for Eastern New Brunswick

Tracadie, New Brunswick (NB) – April 15, 2026 – Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is announcing opening dates for the 2026 commercial eel fishery for Eastern New Brunswick (ENB). The fishing seasons were established in consultation with industry members, and details can be found in Annex 1 below.

Management measures announced in the Notice to Fish Harvesters on April 14, 2025 are maintained for the duration of the fishing plan.

Annex 1: Opening dates for the Commercial Eel 2026 Fishing Season in the Eastern New Brunswick Area

• Tidal waters of the Tabusintac River: Open season from 6:00 a.m. on August 10 to October 23 inclusively.
• Tidal waters of the Tabusintac Bay: Open season from 6:00 a.m. on May 1 to June 30 inclusively and from 6:00 a.m. on August 10 to October 27 inclusively.
• Tidal waters of the Pokemouche River: Open season from 6:00 a.m. on April 22 to June 30 inclusively and from 6:00 a.m. on August 8 to October 16 inclusively.
• Tidal waters of the Little Tracadie River: Open season from 6:00 a.m. on May 1 to June 30 inclusively and from 6:00 a.m. on August 3 to October 20 inclusively.
• Tidal waters of the Big Tracadie River: Open season from 6:00 a.m. on May 1 to June 30 inclusively and from 6:00 a.m. on August 7 to October 24 inclusively.
• Tidal waters of the counties of Restigouche, Gloucester (with the exception of the Pokemouche River, Big Tracadie River and Little Tracadie River), and Northumberland (with the exception of the Tabusintac River and Bay), that flow into the Gulf of St. Lawrence or into the Northumberland Strait: Open season from 6:00 a.m. on May 1 to June 30 inclusively and from 6:00 a.m. on August 1 to October 18 inclusively.
• Tidal waters of the Kent County, Province of New Brunswick, that flow into the Northumberland Strait: Open season from 6:00 a.m. on May 1 to July 12 inclusively and from 6:00 a.m. on August 26 to October 31 inclusively.
• Tidal waters of the Westmorland County, Province of NB, that flow into the Northumberland Strait: Open season from 6:00 a.m. on May 1 to June 30 inclusively and from 6:00 a.m. on August 8 to October 25 inclusively.