N.L. Recreational Groundfish Fishery Expanded for 2026

The Newfoundland and Labrador lobby group Food Fishers Committee is welcoming several long-awaited improvements to the 2026 food fishery it has been calling for, while emphasizing that additional reforms are needed to ensure fairness and accessibility across all regions.

Committee chair, Barry Fordham, said some of the most positive developments included the shift to a seven-days-a-week food fishery during the summer season in NAFO division 2J3KL, replacing the limited weekend-fishery-only model, as well as the removal of the ambiguous per boat fish limit and more timely annual announcements.

“These changes directly address the safety concern we’ve consistently raised,” said Fordham. “They also provide families with far greater flexibly to fish under safer conditions, while improving access to food resources.”

Fordham emphasised that these updates represent a meaningful step forward in recognizing the food fishery not only as a fishery, but as a vital part of Newfoundland and Labrador’s identity, culture, food security and way of life.

“A fuller and more accessible fishery is about sustaining communities, preserving traditions, supporting families and passing on this lived experience to future generations,” he added.

At the same time, Fordham and the remainder of the Committee members expressed concern for residents on the west and south coasts (NAFO divisions 3Ps and 4R3Pn) where access remains restricted to a three-day-weekend-only.

Committee member Merv Wiseman stressed that safety concerns should be applied equally across all divisions. “While we understand the importance of conservation and stock protection, when it comes to safety, there should be no compromises,” said Wiseman. “Equity across all NAFO divisions must remain a priority.”

“This has been a long-fought battle and while we are pleased to see some progress, we are committed to a fair, safe, accessible fishery across all regions,” said Fordham.

The N.L. provincial government also came out in favour of seven-day-a-week recreational fishery for all areas.

In a statement, Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Loyola O’Driscoll stated that he is requesting the federal minister of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) grant seven-day access to the South Coast and West Coast.

“Making this change would ensure that everyone has the same opportunity to participate in the food fishery. This is a priority for our government, as demonstrated in the Budget speech and by the unanimous support received in this legislature for extending the seasonal fishery. We recognize the need to protect cod stocks and sustainability concerns. We are proposing a balanced approach for seven-day access in these areas to improve safety and flexibility, not to increase pressure on the stock. A limit of five cod per day and a weekly cap of 15 fish would maintain conservation, while providing flexibility.

In its annual management plan, DFO advised that the recreational groundfish fishery will be open in all NAFO areas/subareas of Newfoundland and Labrador and follow an area-based management approach. Once again, there is no requirement for a licence or tags for the general public.

“Recognizing differences in the health of the three Atlantic cod stocks in adjacent waters and informed by survey results, in 2GHJ3KL (north and east coasts), the fishery will be open seven days a week from Memorial Day/Canada Day to Labour Day with a nine-day period in the fall. In 3Ps and 3Pn4R (south and west coasts), the fishery will be open weekends (Saturday, Sunday and Monday) throughout the summer with a nine-day period in the fall. Three exceptions are the Eastport, Gilbert Bay and Laurentian Channel Marine Protected Areas (MPA) where recreational groundfish fishing will not be permitted.”

Recreational fishers are limited to five groundfish per day (including cod). There is no boat limit.

Provisions will continue that allow a person with a disability to designate a person to catch their daily limit of groundfish.

The tour boat voluntary pilot program will continue for Transport Canada certified tour boat operators. This includes a tagging system and retention of two fish per passenger per day, seven days a week with mandatory harvest reporting requirements.

DFO Science conducts ongoing tagging programs for various groundfish species to support research on fish movement, growth and natural mortality. If you capture a tagged groundfish, please return the tag to claim your monetary reward by mailing it to DFO’s Science Branch.