2026-2027 Conservation Harvesting Plan (CHP) 2J3KL Northern Cod Fishery Inshore Mobile-Gear Fleet

This Conservation Harvesting Plan (CHP) outlines the management measures for the 2J3KL Northern cod inshore (< 65’) mobile-gear 2026-2027 fishery, and was developed through recommendations and consultations with industry and fleet representatives.

1. Eligibility

1. Participation in the 2J3KL Northern cod inshore mobile-gear fishery is restricted to inshore groundfish licence holders with a mobile gear validation, a vessel < 27.4 meters (90 feet), with a homeport in NAFO Divisions 2J3KL.

2. Fishing areas

1. This CHP governs the directed mobile-gear inshore fishery in NAFO Divisions 2J3KL for the 2026-27 season.

3. Fishing restrictions

1. Fishing is prohibited in the inshore Snow Crab Fishing Areas (CFA), with the exception of CFA 4.
2. The following measures apply to mobile-gear fisheries pursuant to the Atlantic Fisheries Regulations, 1985. They are intended for informational purposes only and are not an exhaustive list of regulatory requirements. It remains the responsibility of each harvester to be familiar with and comply with all applicable regulations, licence conditions, and fisheries management measures.
1. Harvesters fishing with mobile gear shall maintain a distance of at least one-half nautical mile (NM) between their vessel, including any mobile gear attached thereto, and any previously set fishing gear.
2. No person shall fish with an otter trawl from a vessel 19.8 m (65 feet) or more in overall length within twelve NM of the nearest shore on the Atlantic sea-coast of Canada.
3. No person shall fish using an otter trawl from a vessel of any length within six NM of any shore in Capelin fishing areas 1-9 from April 1 to October 31.
4. No person shall fish with an otter trawl in Areas listed in Schedule XXXI of the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985.

4. Season

1. The fishery will open on September 1st, 2026 and close on April 14, 2027.
2. Directed fishing for Northern cod is prohibited from April 15 – June 30, 2027.
3. The fishery will close prior to the season end date if the inshore mobile-gear fleet 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 an allocation of 826 t for the inshore mobile-gear fleet.
2. In an effort to improve quota utilization, expressions of interest (EOI) will be sought by DFO to determine the level of interest for participation in the fishery. The submitted EOI shall serve as the harvester's application for a condition of licence. The previously established rotational priority list remains valid; however, it will not be used for the 2026-27 season.
3. A weekly fishing period shall be defined as follows: “fishing week will start at 00:01 local time on Sunday and end at 24:00 local time on the following Saturday”.
4. Harvesters who submit an EOI will receive conditions authorizing them to fish a catch limit (in round weight) of 150,000 lbs weekly.
5. A review of the fishery participation and quota utilization will take place in mid-October, in consultation with individual harvesters and the mobile-gear fleet representatives. Should adjustments to catch limits be required, updates will be communicated to harvesters via a notice to fish harvesters.
6. Harvesters are not permitted to fish in both the fixed-gear and mobile-gear fleets on the same trip.
7. There are no provisions to carry forward unused quota in this fishery.

6. Fishing gear

1. While directing for Northern cod, the licence holder/operator is permitted to use an otter trawl having the minimum mesh size of 155mm diamond or 145mm square mesh in the cod-end and lengthening piece; 90mm mesh or greater may be used in the wings, body and bellies of the trawl.

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: vessel transfers or leasing is not permitted, unless authorized by the department on a case-by-case basis for exceptional circumstances.
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. 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.morris@dfo-mpo.gc.ca, an end of trip summary.

10. By-catch restrictions

1. The by-catch of Redfish may not exceed 1,250 kg or 5%, on a per trip basis whichever is greater.
2. 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
   2. More information on Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

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: Specific color-coded twine or integrated yarns must be used to mark ropes, indicating region, species, and area.
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.