2026 Conservation harvesting plan (CHP) NAFO Divisions 3LMNO Greenland halibut (Turbot) fishery fixed gear fleet

The 2026 CHP for Greenland halibut was developed in consultation with industry stakeholders and represents an approved plan for the upcoming fishing season. At any time during the validity period of this plan, should circumstances deem it necessary, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans reserves the right to make changes to the management measures contained therein, in order to facilitate an orderly fishery in accordance with conservation objectives.

1. Eligibility

Participation in the NAFO Divisions 3LMNO fixed gear Greenland halibut (turbot) fishery is restricted to inshore groundfish licence holders with vessels 27.4 m (<90’), with a homeport in NAFO Divisions 2GHJ3KL.

2. Fishing areas

This CHP governs the directed Greenland halibut fishery in NAFO Divisions 3LMNO for the management cycle which runs from January 1 to December 31 annually.

3. Fishing restrictions

1. Gillnets
   1. Fishing is not permitted within the NAFO Division 3L Inshore Crab Management Areas. This is a conservation measure to protect snow crab as it can become entangled and die in the gillnets used in the Greenland halibut fishery.
   2. Fishing is not permitted in more than one depth range or quota area during a trip.
   3. In NAFO Division 3L, fishing is not permitted in water depths less than 549 meters (300 fms).
   4. In NAFO Divisions 3MNO, fishing is not permitted in water depths less than 732 meters (400 fms).
2. Longlines
   1. Fishing with longlines is permitted, but not on the same fishing trip when fishing with gillnets.
   2. The longline fishery for turbot is permitted in all areas outside of the Inshore Crab Management Areas. Fishing with longlines will be permitted in water depths less than 293 m (160 fathoms) outside the Inshore Crab Management Areas.

4. Catch limitations

1. Given there is limited quota available to the fleet, Expressions of Interest will be sought by DFO to determine the level of participation in the fishery in 2026.
2. Expressions of interest will ask fishers to identify whether they plan to fish in either NAFO Divisions 2J3K or NAFO Divisions 3LMNO or both. The trip limit amount for NAFO Divisions 3LMNO will be 65,000 lbs (Round Weight).
3. Should there be insufficient quota remaining to allow the fishery to continue to operate on trip limits, a draw for permits may be used to catch the remainder of the quota.
4. Once a harvester has reached the maximum catch limit identified on their licence conditions, all Greenland halibut (dead or alive) that is harvested, shall be immediately returned to the water from which it was taken, and where it is alive, in a manner that causes it the least harm.

5. Season

The opening date of the fishery will be decided in consultation with the 3LMNO Greenland halibut Working Group.

6. Fishing gear

As per the Groundfish General Licence Conditions and species specific licence conditions.

7. Licensing policy

1. The commercial fishery is guided by licensing policy which sets out requirements and eligibility criteria established by the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada with respect to the licensing of commercial fishing and communal commercial fishing in the Newfoundland and Labrador Region. The policy provides fish harvesters, Aboriginal Organizations, and the Canadian public with a clear and consistent statement regarding the Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s (DFO) policy respecting commercial fishing enterprises, the registration of vessels, and the issuance of recreational and commercial fishing licences in the Newfoundland and Labrador Region.
2. In consultation with industry, a licensing policy has been created for the inshore (27.4 m (<90ft)) Greenland halibut fishery in NAFO Divisions 2+3KLMNO in regards to vessel leasing.
3. The licence holder leasing the vessel must have fished and had verified landings on their disabled vessel within the 30 days prior to the lease request. In instances where the request is made at the beginning of the fishing season, the licence holder leasing the vessel must have fished and had verified landings on their disabled vessel the previous fishing season. In the case of Greenland halibut, the licence holder leasing the vessel must have fished and had verified, directed Greenland halibut landings on their disabled vessel in the month/season previous.

8. Small fish and by-catch protocol

1. The minimum size for Greenland halibut is 45 cm (18 in). Areas will be closely monitored and may be closed to fishing when the number of Greenland halibut <45cm in length caught exceeds 15% of the total number of Greenland halibut caught, or when by-catch levels become a conservation concern.
2. When a fishery is closed due to small fish, or when by-catch problems occur, closures will be in effect for a minimum of 10 days.
3. When a fishery is closed, it will not reopen until it can be effectively monitored and controlled. Reopening will only be considered following a successful, observed, industry-funded test fishery.
4. If a fishery in a particular area is closed twice during the year, it may remain closed for the remainder of the year.

9. Monitoring and reporting

1. As per the Greenland Halibut Licence Conditions and the Groundfish General Licence Conditions.
2. The use of Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) is required while fishing for Greenland halibut in NAFO Divisions 3LMNO. This requirement applies to all vessels.

10. By-catch and incidental

As per the Groundfish General Licence Conditions.

11. Species at risk act (SARA)

The following species are considered at risk and listed under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) as either Threatened or Endangered:

• Northern wolffish (Anarchichas denticulatus) – listed as Threatened
• Spotted wolffish (Anarchichas minor) – listed as Threatened
• Leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) – listed as Endangered
• White shark (Carcharodon carcharias), Atlantic population – listed as Endangered

In accordance with subsection 83(4) of SARA and the recovery strategy for northern wolffish, spotted wolffish, and leatherback turtle, and having met the conditions of sections 73(2) to (6.1) of SARA for white shark, the licence holder or vessel operator is permitted to carry out commercial fishing activities authorized under the Fisheries Act that may incidentally kill, harm, harass, or capture these species.

During these fishing activities, incidental catches of a these species must be returned to the place from which it was taken, and where it is alive, in a manner that causes the least harm. The licence holder or vessel operator is also required to complete the SARA section in the fishing logbook to provide information regarding any interactions with these species. Please refer to the Groundfish General Licence Conditions for further information on these requirements.

12. Marine mammals

As per the Groundfish General Licence Conditions, refer to Schedule 38 - Marine Mammal Interactions and Management Measures.

13. Marine conservation targets: closed areas

As per the Groundfish General Licence Conditions, refer to Schedule 36 – Closed Areas.

14. Indigenous participation

Allocations will be negotiated with applicable Indigenous communities for food, social and ceremonial (FSC) purposes. Communal licences for FSC and commercial access will be issued under the Aboriginal Communal Fishing Licence Regulations.

15. Safety at sea

Safety at sea is a shared responsibility, with Transport Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Canadian Coast Guard, and provincial authorities each playing a role; however, the primary responsibility for ensuring the safety of a fishing vessel and its crew rests with the vessel owner and operator. Operators are responsible for ensuring their vessel is seaworthy, properly registered and equipped, compliant with all applicable regulations, and operated within its safe limits, including stability, weather conditions, and crew competency. This includes maintaining valid certifications, approved safety equipment, written emergency procedures, trained crew, and safe operating practices at all times. Given the serious risks associated with commercial fishing, vessel operators are strongly encouraged to carefully review the complete Safety at Sea guidance document to fully understand their obligations and best practices. The guidance document should be read in its entirety before each fishing season and whenever vessel operations change.