2026 Conservation Harvesting Plan (CHP) NAFO Divisions 3KL Winter flounder (blackback) fishery

1. Eligibility

Participation in the NAFO Divisions 3KL Winter flounder fishery will be restricted to groundfish licence holders with a homeport in NAFO Divisions 3KL.

2. Fishing areas

1. This CHP governs the directed Winter flounder fishery for all vessels less than 27.4 meters (90’) in length fishing in NAFO Divisions 3KL.
2. Fishing is only authorized to be conducted in those areas defined in Appendix 1 of the NAFO Divisions 3KL Winter flounder licence conditions.

3. Fishing restrictions

1. As per the Groundfish General Licence Conditions, and the NAFO Divisions 3KL Winter flounder licence conditions.
2. Fishing is only authorized in water depths less than 27.4 meters (15 fathoms).

4. Season

The opening date for the Winter flounder fishery coincides with the opening of the 2J3KL Northern cod fishery in NAFO Divisions 3KL.

5. Fishing gear

1. Harvesters are permitted to use a minimum 6 ½ inch (165mm) mesh size and a maximum of 8 ½ inch (216mm) mesh size.
2. Harvesters are permitted to use a maximum of 20 gillnets, having a maximum length of 50 fathoms each.

6. Licensing policy

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 Canadian 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.

7. Monitoring and reporting

1. As per the Groundfish General Licence Conditions.

8. By-catch and incidental catch

1. As per the Groundfish General Licence Conditions, and the NAFO Divisions 3KL winter flounder licence conditions.
2. All cod by-catch shall be deducted from your 2026-2027 2J3KL Northern cod fishery weekly or biweekly catch limit. Fishing for any groundfish must cease once your 2026-2027 Northern cod weekly or biweekly catch limit has been caught in any groundfish fishery, including when taken as by-catch.
3. Where there are widespread incidental catch problems, an area or NAFO division will be closed.
4. High Northern cod by-catch in an area may result in an earlier closure of the Winter flounder fishery.

9. 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 sea 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.

10. Marine mammals

1. As per the Groundfish General Licence 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.

11. Indigenous participation

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.

12. 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

Appendix 1

Directed fishing for winter flounder (blackback) is only authorized in less than 27 m (15 fathoms) depth in those Newfoundland and Labrador waters as defined as follows:

1. In St. Mary's Bay inside of a line from Shoal Bay Point near Shoal Bay to False Cape near St. Vincent's.
2. Offshore of the Southern Shore due east of the coastline from Ferryland Head at Ferryland north to Bull Head at Bay Bulls.
3. In Conception Bay inshore of a line from Turks Head (adjacent to community of Georgetown and on western side of Colliers Bay) to Split Point at Bay de Verde.
4. In Conception Bay inshore of a line from Friday Cove to Red Head (north of community of Red Head Cove).
5. In Trinity Bay offshore and due north of the coastline from Grates Point at Old Perlican west to Western Head at Chance Cove.
6. In Trinity Bay inside of a line from Horse Chops Point near English Harbour to Bonaventure Head near Old Bonaventure.
7. Within 1 nautical mile of the coastline from Wolf Head at Newman's Cove in Bonavista Bay around Cape Bonavista to Burnt Point at Catalina in Trinity Bay.
8. In Bonavista Bay due east and within 1 nautical mile of the shortest coastline between Baldric Head at Eastport to Holbrook Head at Happy Adventure.
9. In Bonavista Bay within 1 nautical mile of the coastline around Bragg's Island and Cottel Island.
10. Offshore of the coastline from Shoe Cove Point near Greenspond to Deadman's Point near Lumsden.
11. Within 1 nautical mile offshore of the coast from Deadman's Point to Noggin Point near Frederickton.
12. Within 1 nautical mile offshore of the coast of Change Islands.
13. Within 1 nautical mile offshore of the coastline of Fogo Island from Hare Bay Head near Deep Bay east to Round Head near Joe Batt's Arm.
14. In Notre Dame Bay due north of the coastline between Spiller's Point at Durrells to Long Point near Crow Head.
15. In White Bay 1 nautical mile from the shoreline between Canada Head near Canada Harbour north to Jack Patey's Point at Main Brook.