2026-27 Conservation Harvesting Plan NAFO Division 4R and Sub-Division 3Pn: Groundfish Fixed and Mobile Gear Vessels less than 27.4 metres (90ft.)

1. Eligibility
2. Fishing areas
3. Fishing restrictions
4. Quota
5. Catch limits
6. Season
7. Fishing gear
8. Licensing policy
9. Small fish and by-catch closure protocol
10. Monitoring and reporting
11. By-catch and incidental catch
12. Closed and defined areas
13. Species at Risk Act (SARA)
14. Marine mammals
15. Crew registry
16. Indigenous participation
17. Safety at sea

1. Eligibility

Participation in the directed fixed and mobile gear groundfish fisheries will be restricted to groundfish licence holders with a homeport in NAFO Division 4R, Sub-Division 3Pn, and those with overlap privileges with a homeport in NAFO Division 2J or Sub-Division 3Ps.

2. Fishing areas

This Conservation Harvesting Plan (CHP) governs the directed fishery for all vessels less than 27.4 meters (90’) in length regardless of homeport, fishing groundfish in NAFO Division 4R and/or Sub-Division 3Pn for the management cycle which runs from May 15 to May 14 annually. The management cycle for the Atlantic halibut fishery in Sub-Division 3Pn runs from April 1 to March 31 annually.

3. Fishing restrictions

1. This CHP applies to the following species and specific areas when using fixed gear:
   • American plaice – NAFO Division 4R
   • Atlantic halibut – NAFO Divisions 4RST and Sub-Division 3Pn
   • Greenland halibut – NAFO Divisions 4RST
   • Skate / Monkfish – NAFO Division 4R
   • White hake – NAFO Sub-Division 3Pn
   • Winter flounder (Blackback) – NAFO Division 4R
2. This CHP applies to the following species and specific areas when using mobile gear:
   • Redfish – Unit 1
   • Witch Flounder (Greysole) – NAFO Division 4R
3. A “fishing trip” is defined as starting from the time the vessel leaves port and ending when it returns to port for any reason, whether or not any fish has been caught.
4. The retention or possession of Atlantic halibut (dead or alive) is not permitted, unless harvesters are otherwise authorized to retain.
5. In the context of the 4R3Pn (NL) and 4S (PQ) fixed gear fleets operating under the regional sharing arrangement, 4R3Pn-based fishers WILL BE permitted to fish in NAFO Division 4S waters during the period that NAFO Division 4S is closed to the Quebec region fishers. A vice versa application will apply for the 4S-based fishers fishing in NAFO Division 4R and Sub-Division 3Pn.
6. Should a licence holder choose to fish in NAFO Division 4S or 4T for a species authorized by licence conditions, they must first contact Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s (DFO) area office in Corner Brook at 709-637-2325 regarding any additional fishing restrictions.

Fixed gear

3.1 American plaice

1. Fishing will be authorized only in areas where the by-catch of cod has been historically low and where traditional fishing has occurred. The authorized areas in NAFO Division 4R are:
   • Cape Ray to Johnson’s Cove
   • Fischell’s to Shoal Point (Bay St. George)
   • Shag Island to Cape St. Gregory
   • Cape St. Gregory to Green Point
   • Green Point to Point Riche
   • Point Riche to Ferolle Point
   • Unfortunate Cove Point (Big Brook) to Cape Bauld
2. With the exception as noted in item iii below, fishing is only authorized in water depths greater than 45.7 m (25 fathoms).
3. In that portion of NAFO Sub-Division 4Rd from a line drawn due west of Cape Ray north to a line drawn due west of Johnson’s Cove, fishing will be permitted only in water depths between a minimum of 36.6 m (20 fathoms) to a maximum of 73.2 m (40 fathoms).
4. While directing in NAFO Division 4R, all Atlantic halibut (dead or alive) that is caught shall be immediately returned to the water from which it was taken and, where it is alive, in a manner that causes it least harm.

3.2 Atlantic halibut

1. Restrictions related to the 4RST Atlantic halibut fishery are outlined in the “Atlantic Halibut Sustainability Plan- Divisions 4RST” (AHSP). The AHSP was introduced in 2013 by the Fisheries Science Stewardship and Sustainability Board (FSSSB) in collaboration with DFO, the Fish Food and Allied Workers’ Union (FFAW/Unifor) and the Fish Harvesters’ Resource Centre (FHRC). If you wish to request a copy of the AHSP, please contact the FSSSB at 709-634-7382.
2. Prior to the start of the fishing season, a licence holder must choose to participate in either the NAFO Division 4R Atlantic halibut fishery or the NAFO Sub-Division 3Pn Atlantic halibut fishery. Licence holders will not be permitted to participate in both. Additional details are outlined in the AHSP.

3.3 Greenland halibut (turbot)

1. In NAFO Division 4R, fishing is only authorized in water depths greater than 256 m (140 fathoms).
2. Fish harvesters shall not set, or reset, groundfish gillnet fishing gear during the period of 8 hours prior to the announced closure of the fishery. However, they may retrieve fishing gear during this period.

All licence holders who wish to participate in the NAFO Division 4R Greenland halibut fishery must submit an AHSP and NAFO Division 4R Greenland halibut Application. Further details and additional restrictions related to the 4RST Greenland halibut fishery are outlined in the AHSP.

3.4 Skate/Monkfish

1. Fishing will be authorized only in areas where the by-catch of cod has been historically low and where traditional fishing has occurred. The authorized areas in NAFO Division 4R are:
   • Outside the 125 fathoms water depth
     • 4Rd: Cape Ray to Cape St. George
     • 4Rc: Cape St. George to Long Point (Bell Buoy)
     • 4Rc: Long Point (Bell Buoy) to Bluff Head
     • 4Rc: Bluff Head to Cape St. Gregory
     • 4Rb: Cape St. Gregory to the 50 degree line N (near Parson’s Pond)
   • Inside the 125 fathoms water depths
     • 4Rd: Cape Ray to Cape St. George
     • 4Rc: Cape St. George to Long Point (Bell Buoy)
     • 4Rc: Long Point (Bell Buoy) to Bluff Head
     • 4Rc: Bluff Head to Cape St. Gregory

3.5 White hake

1. Fishing is only authorized in NAFO Sub-Division 3Pn in water depths greater than or equal to 228.6 m (125 fathoms); OR
2. outside a line drawn connecting the following coordinates; 47 degrees 30 minutes 35.8164 seconds North, 59 degrees 30 minutes 21.69 seconds West, hence to 47 degrees 23 minutes 31.9164 seconds North, 59 degrees 07 minutes 19.9704 seconds West, hence to 47 degrees 30.37 minutes North, 57 degrees 51.24 minutes West.

3.6 Winter flounder (blackback)

1. Fishing will be authorized only in areas where the by-catch of cod has been historically low and where traditional fishing has occurred. The authorized areas in NAFO Division 4R are:
   • Bank Head, Bay St. George to Cape St. George
   • Bluff Head, Port au Port Bay to South Head, Bay of Islands
   • Western Head, Bonne Bay to Green Point
   • Point Riche to Ferolle Point
   • Ferolle Point to Unfortunate Cove Point (Big Brook)
   • Unfortunate Cove Point (Big Brook) to Cape Bauld
2. Fishing is only authorized in water depths less than 27.4 m (15 fathoms)

Mobile gear

3.7 Redfish Unit 1

1. Unit 1 consists of NAFO Divisions 4RST, and NAFO Sub-Divisions 3Pn + 4Vn (January 1- May 31).
2. Participation is limited to groundfish mobile gear operators with a homeport in 4R3Pn or those eligible to fish with overlap privileges.
3. When both Units 1 and 2 fisheries area are open, fish harvesters are restricted to fishing redfish in one Unit Area (Unit 2 - NAFO Division 3P or Unit 1 - NAFO Divisions 4RST and NAFO Sub-Division 3Pn) during the same fishing trip.
4. While fishing in NAFO Divisions 4RST and NAFO Sub-Division 3Pn, you are only authorized to fish in water depths greater than 183m (100 fathoms). For the purpose of this restriction, a polygon has been defined to delineate areas greater than 183m where fishing is authorized in waters inside the polygon. The coordinates are included in Licence Conditions.
5. You are authorized to use, carry or have onboard your vessel an otter trawl.
6. When fishing Redfish in NAFO divisions 4RST:
   • Fishing is prohibited West of 65° longitude at all times.
   • Fishing is prohibited East of 59°longitude unless an at-sea observer (ASO) is on-board the vessel.

3.8 Redfish Unit 2

For fishing restrictions and management measures related to the redfish fishery in Unit 2 (NAFO Sub-Divisions 3Ps, 4Vs, a portion of NAFO Division 4W, and NAFO Sub-Division 3Pn + 4Vn (June 1- December 31), refer to the 3Ps mobile gear groundfish fleet’s Conservation Harvesting Plan.

3.9 Witch Flounder (greysole)

1. Fishing will be authorized only in areas in NAFO Division 4R where traditional fishing has occurred. Fishing in other areas of NAFO Division 4R will be considered upon the submission of separate measures.
   • Fishing has been traditionally prosecuted in NAFO Division 4Rd (Bay St. George)
2. The protection of fish during the spawning period is a management measure that the department considers imperative for rebuilding the Atlantic groundfish stocks. The following management measure will be effect from April 1 to June 15:
   • To protect cod, the use of diamond mesh will be prohibited.

4. Quota

The Unit 1 redfish allocation for Inshore Mobile Gear >65’ fleet totals 7,568.4 in 2026-2027. The allocation for the Newfoundland and Labrador fleet is 3,120.3t.

The Unit 1 redfish allocation for shrimp harvesters in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence (EGSL) totals 5,100t in 2026-27. The allocation for the Newfoundland and Labrador fleet 1,887t.

5. Catch limits

1. In groundfish fisheries in NAFO Division 4R and Sub-Division 3Pn, quota reconciliation is applied on an annual basis. Quota reconciliation provides that any overharvest of a quota in one year, on an Individual Quota (IQ), enterprise allocation or in a competitive fishery, will be accounted for in advance of the following fishing season. The accounting will result in a quantity of fish equal to the quantity of the overrun being taken off the top of the allocation (i.e., not allocated) of the respective licence holder or fleet before the next fishing season starts.
2. Unit 1 Redfish: In consultation with stakeholders, the management approach for Unit 1 redfish for the 2026-27 management period includes the following elements:
   • IQs for the shrimp harvesters in the EGSL will be directly proportional to their Gulf (Area 8/Esquiman) Shrimp IQs.
   • IQs for the Inshore mobile gear <65’ fleet will be allocated equally between all license holders. This will result in IQs of 67.83 t per license holder.
   • Buddy-up arrangement:
     • Buddy-up is a DFO-authorized temporary arrangement allowing a maximum of two (2) licence holders holding valid licences for the same species, the same fishing area and the same gear type to operate from the same vessel.
     • Unit 1 Redfish buddy-up arrangements are available for the Small vessel fleet (max 15.2m (49’11”)) or the Large vessel fleet (max 19.8m (64’11”)).
     • Arrangements must be requested via NOLS, approved and in place prior to the release of licence conditions, the start of the season, and any fishing activity for the buddy-up species.
     • Only one (1) buddy-up arrangement is permitted for the duration of the Unit 1 Redfish fishery.
     • Licence holders involved in a buddy-up arrangement are not eligible to register or lease another vessel or allow their vessel(s) to be registered or leased by another licence holder during the buddy-up species fishing season.
     • Both licence holders in an approved buddy-up arrangement must be onboard the vessel indicated in the approved arrangement at all times while fishing activity is taking place. This includes but is not limited to setting and hauling gear, and the landing and offloading of catch.
     • Licence holders participating in a buddy-up are not eligible for a substitute operator during the duration of the arrangement. The buddy-up arrangement must be cancelled prior to a substitute operator being authorized.

6. Season

1. Although fishing seasons are anticipatory, actual opening dates may vary depending on circumstances at the time (e.g. timing of TAC decisions, potential for high by-catch or incidental catch, test fisheries, etc.)
2. For American plaice, skate/monkfish, and winter flounder fisheries, the department will require written confirmation that buyers/markets are in place prior to a directed fishery being opened.

Fixed gear season dates

• American plaice 4R
  • July 15 to September 30
• Atlantic halibut
  • 3Pn: April 1 to October 15
  • 4RST: Outlined in Atlantic Halibut Sustainability Plan
• Greenland halibut 4RST
  • May 28 to December 31
• Skate/Monkfish 4R
  • July 15 to September 30
• White hake 3Pn
  • July 15 to September 30
• Winter flounder 4R
  • 4Rd, c, b: July 15 to September 30
    • Point Riche to Ferolle Point
    • Ferolle Point to Unfortunate Cove Point (Big Brook)
    • Unfortunate Cove Point (Big Brook) to Cape Bauld

Mobile Gear Season Dates

• Redfish Unit 1^{Footnote 1}
  • 4RST: May 15 to May 14
  • 3Pn: January 1 to May 14
• Witch flounder
  • May 15 to December 31

7. Fishing gear

Fixed gear

Below is a table summarizing the fishing gear limits using fixed gear by species and area. For complete details refer to the groundfish general licence conditions and the species specific licence conditions. When fishing any species of groundfish, the licence holder/operator is required to report any lost fishing gear as per Schedule 38 – Marine Mammals Interactions and Management.

Mobile gear

Below is a table summarizing the fishing gear limits using mobile gear by species and area. For complete details refer to the groundfish general licence conditions and the species specific licence conditions.

8. Licensing policy

The commercial fishery is guided by licensing policy which sets out requirements and eligibility criteria established by the Minister of DFO with respect to the licensing of commercial fishing and communal-commercial fishing in the Newfoundland and Labrador Region. The policies provide fish harvesters, Indigenous organizations, and the Canadian public with a clear and consistent statement regarding 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.

9. Small fish and by-catch closure protocol

1. Areas will be closely monitored and may be closed to fishing when the number of undersized fish caught exceeds 15% of the total number of the directed species, or when by-catch levels become a conservation concern.
2. Closures due to small fish or by-catch will remain 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.
4. If a fishery in a particular area is closed twice during the year, it may remain closed for the remainder of the year.

5. If a fishery is closed for the minimum 10-day period due to high by-catch levels or small fish, reopening will only be considered following a successful, observed, industry funded test fishery. Small fish limits (minimum size):

   • American Plaice: 30 cm
   • Atlantic Halibut (4RST): 85 cm
   • Atlantic Halibut (3Pn): 81 cm
   • Cod: 43 cm
   • Greenland Halibut: 44 cm
   • Redfish: 22 cm
   • White Hake: 45 cm
   • Witch Flounder: 30 cm
   • Winter Flounder: 25 cm

10. Monitoring and reporting

1. As per the Groundfish General Licence Conditions.
2. When fishing any species of groundfish in NAFO Divisions 4RST and/or Sub-Division 3Pn and at sea in excess of 24 hours duration, and/or when landing in ports outside the Newfoundland and Labrador Region, licence holders are required to report the round weight of all species caught on a daily basis no later than noon (12:00 hours local time). This information is to be submitted by phone to the DFO toll-free number 1-877-637-4315, or submitted by e-mail to DFO.Hails65-Rapport65.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
3. Unit 1 Redfish:
   1. A hail prior to departure is mandatory for all fleets.
   2. When at sea, all licence holders are to report the round weight of all species caught on a daily basis no later than noon (12:00 hours local time) as described in Schedule 16. Licence holders must also specify in the hail the allocation being fished. This information is to be submitted by e-mail to DFO.Hails65-Rapport65.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.  Appendix 16A (Daily Hail Report – Unit 1 Inshore Redfish (<65')) can be used on a voluntary basis
   3. Dockside monitoring program (DMP) at 100% of the landings is mandatory as outlined in Schedule 02.
   4. The use of a Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) approved by DFO is mandatory. Each licence holder/fishing vessel operator must register their DFO-approved VMS unit prior to the beginning of fishing activities. Data transmission every 15 minutes is required.
4. At-sea Observers: Unless otherwise stated, industry-funded observer coverage is required.
   1. For Atlantic halibut, industry-funded at-sea observer program for all commercial fisheries will apply at a minimum of 10% for vessels less than 13.7 m (45 feet) and a minimum of 15% for vessels greater than 13.7 m (45 feet).
   2. For Unit 1 redfish, subject to mandatory self-funded at-sea observer program at a level of 25% from June 15 to December 31, 100% from January 1 to March 31, and 50% from April 1 to June 14.
   3. For all other groundfish species, industry-funded at-sea observer program for all commercial fixed gear fisheries at a level of 10% will apply.
   4. For all other groundfish species, industry-funded at-sea observer program for all commercial mobile gear fisheries at a level of 30% will apply.
5. Electronic logbook reporting:
   1. For Unit 1 redfish the use of an electronic logbook application (ELOG) is mandatory as per Schedule 04. An ELOG is defined as an electronic logbook client application.
   2. Licence holders and fishing vessel operators must use an ELOG qualified by DFO for use in the DFO Newfoundland and Labrador Region.
   3. Licence holders and fishing vessel operators must confirm that the ELOG is fully operational prior to the start of a fishing trip.
   4. For every fishing trip, the licence holder/operator must complete the ELOG daily, after each set, and each change in sub-division. Each daily record must be fully and accurately completed and closed prior to 11:59 NL Standard time, even if the catch for that day is zero (0).
   5. Licence holders and fishing vessel operators must submit the completed ELOG records within 72 hours of completing the fishing trip. They are prohibited from tampering with the ELOG in any manner or obstructing any signal required for its proper functioning.
   6. In case of transmission problems, equipment malfunction, or breakdown of the electronic logbook, licence holders and fishing vessel operators must:
      1. Contact the ELOG service provider to resolve the issue.
      2. Report the problem on the same day, or as soon as service is available, by email to NLELOGS@dfo-mpo.gc.ca and transmit the following information:
         1. The fishing vessel name;
         2. The fishing vessel VRN;
         3. The name of the licence holder and vessel operator;
         4. The fishing area/subarea;
         5. The estimated quantity of each species retained and discarded in round weight, in each fishing area.
      3. Transmit the information required in (vi.b) every 24 hours, or when service is available, until the electronic logbook is operational again.
      4. Retransmit by ELOG within 24 hours of the electronic logbook becoming operational again.
   7. Upon return to port with an inoperable or malfunctioning ELOG, the licence holder/fishing vessel operator must not commence any additional activity until the ELOG is fully operational.
   8. To request a modification to data that has already been transmitted to Fisheries and Oceans Canada, communicate with client support at 1-877-535-7307 (Monday to Friday, 07:00–20:00 ET) or by email to Fishing-Peche.XNAT@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

11. By-catch and incidental catch

1. For Unit 1 redfish by-catch is defined as the weight of a by-catch species divided by the weight of the directed species, in this case, redfish.
   1. While directing for redfish in Unit 1, the following by-catch provisions will apply:
      • Cod 4TVn: 1% per fishing trip
      • Cod 3Pn4RS: 1% per fishing trip
      • American plaice 4T: 1% per fishing trip
      • White hake 4T: 1% per fishing trip
      • Atlantic halibut in Unit 1: 2% per fishing trip
      • Greenland halibut 4RST: 1% per fishing trip
      • Other species of groundfish 5% per fishing trip
   2. When fishing in NAFO Division 4RST any Atlantic halibut (Dead or Alive) that is harvested in excess of the 2% trip limit, shall forthwith be returned to the water from which it was taken and, where it is alive, in a manner that causes it the least harm.
   3. Bycatch caps for 3Pn4RS cod, 4T White hake, 4TVn cod have been established to guide management of the Unit 1 redfish fishery.
   4. The bycatch caps applied to the redfish fishery for Inshore mobile gear <65’ fleet (for all fleets in Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, Gulf, and Maritimes regions) are as follows:
      • 3Pn4RSCod: 2.5 t
      • 4T White hake: 2.3 t
      • 4TVn Cod: 1.7 t
   5. The bycatch caps applied to the redfish fishery for the EGSL shrimp harvesters fleet distributed by region are as follows:

      The bycatch caps applied to the redfish fishery for the EGSL shrimp harvesters fleet distributed by region are as follows:

      -	3Pn4RS Cod (t)	4T White hake (t)	4TVn Cod (t)
      QC	0.719	0..647	0.485
      NB	0.359	0.323	0.243
      NL	0.633	0.57	0.427
      Total for the EGSL shrimp harvesters fleet	1.711	1.540	1.155

   6. Once a cap is reached, the department will assess whether additional bycatch allowance can be re-allocated and may close the area or the Unit 1 redfish fishery for the inshore mobile gear fleet and/or the ESGL shrimp harvester fleet for the remainder of the fishing season.
   7. By-catch of groundfish species may not be released unless a condition of licence authorizes to do so or in accordance with 11.a.ii above.
   8. Certain areas could be closed for fishing for a fleet or specific fleet sectors when a species by-catch, including discards, exceeds the above percentages.
2. As per the Groundfish General Licence Conditions.

12. Closed and defined areas

1. As per the Groundfish General Licence Conditions, refer to Schedule 34 - Closed and Defined Areas, and Schedule 36 – Closed Areas.
2. Closed or defined area may also be contained in species specific conditions of licence.

12.1 Protection of spawning fish

1. The protection of cod during the April 1 to June 23 spawning period is a priority that the department and the industry consider very important for the reconstruction of the cod stock in the northern Gulf of Saint Lawrence. The following conservation measure will apply:
   • Closure of part of the NAFO Division 4R offshore from St. Georges Bay and Port au Port Bay to all groundfish fishing and all gear types from April 1 to June 23. This cod spawning box is defined by straight lines drawn from the following coordinates:
     • 48 degrees 15’ North, 59 degrees 20’ west, to
     • 49 degrees 10’ North, 59 degrees 20’ west, to
     • 49 degrees 10’ North, 60 degrees 00’ west, to
     • 48 degrees 15’ North, 60 degrees 00’ west, to
     • 48 degrees 15’ North, 59 degrees 20’ west.

13. 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 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 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. Refer to the Groundfish General Licence Conditions for further information on these requirements.

14. Marine mammals

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

15. Crew registry

As per the Groundfish General licence conditions, refer to Schedule 39 – Crew Registry.

16. 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.

17. 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.