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2026-27 Conservation Harvesting Plan (CHP) 2J3KL Northern Cod Fishery Inshore Fixed-Gear Fleet

This Conservation Harvesting Plan (CHP) outlines the management measures for the 2J3KL Northern cod inshore (< 65’) fixed-gear 2026-2027 fishery. The management decision includes NAFO homeport-based suballocations for the inshore fixed-gear fleet, such that a 2J-based harvester and a 3KL-based harvester can fish throughout NAFO Divisions 2J, 3K, and 3L, and their landings will be counted against their associated NAFO homeport-based suballocation.

1. Eligibility

  1. Participation in the 2J3KL Northern cod inshore fixed-gear fishery is restricted to groundfish licence holders with a homeport in NAFO Divisions 2J3KL, ‘3K Equivalents’ with a homeport in NAFO Division 4R from North Boat Harbour to Cape Bauld, and ‘2J Equivalents’ defined as core groundfish licence holders with a homeport in NAFO Division 4R from L’Anse au Clair to Red Bay.
  2. Groundfish licence holders in NAFO Divisions 3KL have the option to either participate in this fishery, or to exercise their fishing privileges in NAFO sub-Division 3Ps, but not both.

2. Fishing areas

  1. This CHP governs the directed fixed-gear inshore fishery in NAFO Divisions 2J3KL.

3. Fishing restrictions

  1. ‘3K Equivalents’ are defined as NAFO Division 4R licence holders that are authorized to fish only in the portion of NAFO Division 3K defined as North of 51 degrees 18 minutes North (Cape Bauld to Lobster Point) and fishing is not permitted in the waters outside Canada’s Territorial Sea (the 12 mile limit).
  2. ‘2J Equivalents’ are defined as NAFO Division 4R core licence holders that are authorized to fish only in NAFO Division 2J.
  3. 2J-based and 3KL-based fixed-gear harvesters are permitted to fish throughout NAFO Divisions 2J3KL when the fishery for both 2J-based and 3KL-based fleets is open. Harvesting will be restricted to homeport NAFO Divisions if the fishery is closed to either the 2J-based or 3KL-based fleet.

4. Season

  1. For all inshore fixed-gear harvesters, the fishery will open on Sunday, July 5, 2026, and is scheduled to close on Wednesday, April 14, 2027, or until the allocation is taken.

5. Catch limitations

  1. The 2026-27 Canadian Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for the 2J3KL Northern cod fishery is 59,000 t (round weight) and includes a 40,474 t allocation for the inshore fixed-gear fleet, with sub-allocations of 34,403 t for 3KL-based harvesters and 6,071 t for 2J-based harvesters.
  2. A weekly fishing period shall be defined as follows: “fishing week will start at 00:01 local time on Sunday and end on 24:00 local time on the following Saturday”.
  3. A bi-weekly fishing period shall be defined as follows: “bi-weekly fishing period will start at 00:01 local time on a Sunday and run consecutively for 14 days to which it will then end at 24:00 local time on the second Saturday”.
  4. Harvesters will receive conditions authorizing them to fish the following catch limits (in round weight) based on their homeport:
    1. Homeport NAFO Division 2J & 2J Equivalents (‘2J-based harvesters’):
      • July 5 – September 12, 2026: 50,000 lbs. base bi-weekly limit
      • September 13 – onwards: base weekly or bi-weekly catch limits will be determined following a mid-August review of activity and will be communicated prior to the opening of the fall season
    2. Homeport NAFO Division 3KL & 3K Equivalents (‘3KL-based harvesters’):
      • July 5 – September 12, 2026: 10,000 lbs. base weekly limit
      • September 13 – onwards: base weekly or bi-weekly catch limits will be determined following a mid-August review of activity and will be communicated prior to the opening of the fall season.
  5. 3KL-based harvesters have the option of selecting the regular fishing season (outlined above in d(ii)) or the Fall season only, but not both, as outlined below:
    1. Fall Season: September 13 – April 14, 2027
      Fish only during the fall, with no less than 75,000 lbs. base bi-weekly limit; the catch limit for 3KL fall-only harvesters will be confirmed during the mid-August season review.
    2. To ensure that there is harvest available into the fall season and for those that select the 3KL Fall only option, approximately 75% of the available harvest for 3KL will be permitted up to and including September 12, 2026, and approximately 25% will be available for the period after September 13, 2026.
  6. Buddy-up arrangements:
    1. Buddy-up is authorized in the 2J3KL Northern cod fishery. Harvesters must apply for buddy-up prior to the start of the fishing season.
    2. A maximum number of six (6) shares will be permitted in a buddy-up arrangement, and the total number of shares in a buddy-up arrangement will determine the harvester’s catch limit and resulting gear limits.
    3. Buddy-up is available to licence holders eligible to fish 2J3KL Northern cod on their groundfish licence (with 2J-based licence holders eligible to buddy-up with another 2J-based licence holder, 3KL-based licence holders eligible to buddy-up with another 3KL-based licence holder, 3K-Equivalents eligible to buddy-up with 3K-Equivalents, and 2J-Equivalents eligible to buddy-up with 2J-Equivalents).
    4. 3KL-based buddy-up partners must declare the same fishing season option (Regular or Fall only) and have the same licence conditions. Participating in a buddy-up arrangement may have an impact on catch limits.
    5. Each harvester in a buddy-up must complete their own logbook, retain their own purchase slip, and inform the DMP Observer of their share of the catch at landing, ensuring all records reflect individual accountability as if fishing alone.
    6. Refer to the Fisheries Licensing Policy of Newfoundland and Labrador Region for more details on buddy-up arrangements for the Northern cod fishery.
  7. If harvesters have acquired additional cod shares through enterprise combining, their weekly authorized catch limit will be calculated within the licensing program and identified in licence conditions.
  8. The conversion factor from round weight to gutted head on is 1.2. For example, the conversion of a weekly harvest limit of 10,000 lbs. round weight equates to 8,333 lbs. head on gutted.
  9. A review of the fishery activity will take place in consultation with industry in mid-August, prior to the fall season. Should adjustments to catch and gear limits or seasons be required, updates will be communicated to harvesters via a Notice to Fish Harvesters.

6. Fishing gear

  1. The use of gillnets, longline, hand-line and cod pots will be authorized as per licence conditions. Harvesters are to exercise caution when setting gear to ensure that catch limits are not exceeded.
  2. Harvesters shall not leave fishing gear unattended in the water for more than 72 consecutive hours and are not authorized to set gear prior to the fishery opening.
  3. If harvesters have concerns with respect to safety, they are advised to contact their local DFO Conservation and Protection detachment. For further information on safety at sea, please see Section 15.

Gillnets

  1. NAFO Division 2J – Up to and including September 12, 2026, a maximum of 50 nets are authorized onboard the vessel and in the water at any one time. From September 13, 2026, the total maximum nets authorized will be determined following review of activity in mid-August.
  2. NAFO Division 3KL

Longlines

  1. NAFO Division 2J
    Up to and including September 12, 2026, a maximum of 20,000 hooks are authorized onboard the vessel and in the water at any one time. From September 13, 2026, the total maximum hooks authorized will be determined following review of activity in mid-August.
  2. NAFO Division 3KL
    Up to and including September 12, 2026, a maximum of 15,000 hooks is authorized onboard the vessel and in the water at any one time. From September 13, 2026, the total maximum hooks authorized will be determined following review of activity in mid-August.

7. Licensing policy

  1. Fisheries Licensing Policy Newfoundland and Labrador Region (NL Licensing Policy) provides details on the various licensing policies that govern the commercial fishing industry in the NL Region. The policy was developed to provide fish harvesters, Indigenous organizations, and the public with a clear and consistent statement regarding the 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. The policy is updated on an ongoing basis.
  2. Vessel leasing:
    The existing vessel leasing policy will be applied. Under this policy, your current vessel must have been previously active to qualify for a lease arrangement. Leasing is only permitted in cases of mechanical breakdown/structural damage, or complete vessel loss. Proper documentation is required.
  3. Substitute operators:
    Substitute operations are authorized for medical reasons only; and the substitute operator must be in place for a minimum of 30 days.

8. Small fish protocol

  1. The minimum size for cod is 43 cm (18 in). Areas will be closely monitored and will be closed to fishing when the number of cod < 43cm long caught exceeds 15% of the total number of cod caught.

9. Reporting and monitoring

  1. As per the Groundfish General licence conditions.
  2. Prior to submitting your Groundfish Fixed Gear Logbook for the less than 35’ Vessel Sector, you must keep a copy of each fishing trip for the entire fishing season. Copies must be available for inspection upon request by a Fishery Officer.
  3. When landing in ports outside the Newfoundland and Labrador Region you must, at least six (6) hours prior to your estimated time of entry into port, submit by email to DFO at robyn robyn.morris@dfo-mpo.gc.ca, an end of trip summary.

10. By-catch restrictions

  1. As per the Groundfish General licence conditions.

11. Closed areas

  1. As per the Groundfish General Licence conditions, refer to Schedule 36 - Closed Areas.
  2. Closed areas for NAFO Divisions 2J3KL:
    1. More information on Marine Refuges can be found here
    2. More information on Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) can be found here

12. Species at Risk Act (SARA)

  1. 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
  2. Under subsection 83(4) of SARA and the recovery strategies for northern wolffish, spotted wolffish, and leatherback turtle—and having met the conditions of sections 73(2) to (6.1) for white shark—the licence holder or vessel operator may conduct commercial fishing activities authorized under the Fisheries Act that could incidentally affect these species
  3. Any incidental catch must be returned to its point of capture, and if alive, released in a manner that minimizes harm. All interactions must be recorded in the SARA section of the fishing logbook. Refer to the Groundfish General Licence Conditions for full details.

13. Marine mammals

  1. As per the Groundfish General Conditions, refer to Schedule 38 - Marine Mammal Interactions and Management Measures.
  2. Marine mammal interaction reporting: All lethal and non-lethal interactions (e.g., bycatch, entanglements) must be reported using the DFO Marine Mammal Interaction Form or via electronic logbooks.
  3. Lost and retrieved gear reporting: Lost gear must be reported within 24 hours of returning to port using the Fishing Gear Reporting System or designated forms. Retrieval of previously reported gear must also be reported within 24 hours.
  4. Gear marking and restrictions:
    1. Specific color-coded twine or integrated yarns must be used to mark ropes, indicating region, species, and area.
    2. Buoys must be sequentially numbered and ropes must not float on the water surface.
  5. North Atlantic Right Whale (NARW) protocols: If NARWs are observed, harvesters must remove gear from designated areas as per DFO notices and cease fishing until the notice is lifted.

14. Indigenous participation

  1. Communal licences for commercial access will be issued under the Aboriginal Communal Fishing Licence Regulations and will be eligible to participate in the inshore fixed-gear fishery.

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.

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