2026 Elver Management Measures Released
In Southwest Nova Scotia, Cape Breton and Southwest New Brunswick, the elver fishery is an important source of income for commercial licence holders and First Nations communities.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) recently announced the 2026 elver fishing season will open around April 1 with an increased total allowable catch (TAC).
This season, licence holders can harvest up to 12,180 kilograms (kg) of elver, an increase of 22 per cent from the previous TAC (9,960 kg). This TAC increase is supported by the best available scientific data for elvers, and trends of returns observed on the index river used to evaluate population size.
DFO consulted with commercial licence holders and First Nations on allocations for the 2026 fishing season to determine how the TAC increase was distributed. No harvesters had their quota decreased, and many saw their quota increase.
To enhance elver population science, quota allocations for the 2026 season include 180 kg held in reserve for science activities under Section 10 of the Fisheries Act. These joint research activities would be undertaken by DFO Science and organizations that have submitted research proposals for the 2026 season. Potential research agreements with commercial licence holders and First Nations are currently being considered, with the goal of having an agreement in place to support science work during the 2026 fishing season.
The increased TAC also reflects the improvements to order in the fishery observed in 2025, including the implementation of the Possession and Export of Elvers Regulations and the Elver Monitoring and Traceability (EMT) application. Along with the enforcement efforts of fishery officers, the regulations and the EMT application reduced the amount of unauthorized harvesting and improved traceability. All licence holders are required to use the EMT application to report their elver fishing, possession and export activities.
Unauthorized harvest, possession or export of elver is illegal and subject to enforcement action by fishery officers. Building on the increased compliance and order observed last year, fishery officers will continue to work with harvesters toward voluntary compliance with the Fisheries Act and maintain a strong presence at riversides, holding facilities and export points.
Cooke to Acquire Avramar Greece
Cooke Inc. recently announced that it has executed a memorandum of understanding under which it will acquire from the lenders of the existing debt facilities of Avramar Aquaculture S.A., Andromeda S.A., Perseus S.A. and Avramar Commercial and Logistics S.A., a leading marine aquaculture producer of sea bass and seabream in Greece.
Together with Cooke’s existing agreement to acquire the equity of Avramar Greece, upon closing, Cooke will acquire operational control of Avramar Greece.
The original companies comprising the Avramar Greece group were established in 1981 and the company has grown to become a leader in Mediterranean aquaculture. It is a vertically integrated operation, which includes hatcheries, marine farm sites, processing and packaging facilities, and feed production operations. The company’s sustainability certifications are recognized by the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative (GSSA) and Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI).
Atlantic Canada Aquaculture Support Hits Record High
The Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers’ Association (ACFFA) commissioned a survey showing 85 per cent regional support for aquaculture, representing a four-point increase from 2024 and the highest level on record.
Narrative Research Associates conducted the telephone survey of 1,450 Atlantic Canadians aged 18 and older from February 4–23, 2026, as part of its Atlantic Quarterly Survey. Results are accurate to within ±2.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
Support reached record levels in Nova Scotia at 83 per cent (up six points from 2024), while New Brunswick matched its previous 2020 peak at 87 per cent (up three points). Prince Edward Island showed the strongest regional support at 93 per cent (up six points), while Newfoundland and Labrador registered 83 per cent support (up one point).
The survey highlighted increased recognition of aquaculture’s economic importance:
- 88 per cent agree local salmon farming provides important employment opportunities (up from 84 per cent in 2024)
- 82 per cent say it contributes significantly to the provincial economy (up from 76 per cent)
- 82 per cent agree salmon farming is a reliable and sustainable protein source (up from 81 per cent)
- 83 per cent agree aquaculture is a form of farming, comparable to land-based agriculture.
Feds Takes Action to Protect Atlantic Salmon
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) recently announced four projects to advance Canada’s National Strategy to Ensure the Future of Atlantic Salmon’s vision of creating the conditions for Atlantic salmon to thrive.
Together, these projects develop the tools, knowledge and governance structures needed to guide the Strategy’s implementation over its 12-year lifespan.
DFO is supporting four projects with the following partners:
- The Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat is leading on the Collaborative Governance Approach for the Strategy to strengthen Indigenous-led governance, knowledge and collaboration for the conservation, protection and restoration of Atlantic salmon and its habitats to ensure survival for future generations.
- The Institut de développement durable des Premières Nations du Québec et du Labrador is engaging with communities to gather Indigenous knowledge related to Atlantic salmon and hold Indigenous round-tables to promote the integration of two-eyed seeing.
- The Atlantic Salmon Federation is leading the Habitat Connectivity Assessment and Barrier Prioritization project which is aimed at improving the assessment, monitoring, and reporting of freshwater connectivity for Atlantic salmon.
- The Foundation for Conservation of Atlantic Salmon is holding inter-provincial symposiums in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick with the goal of sharing information, best-practices, and to foster insightful discussions with the leaders of the Atlantic salmon community.
Whitecap Strengthens North American and European Sales Teams
Canada-based seafood export firm Whitecap International bolstered its sales team with the hires of Bryan Carroll as U.S. Sales Manager and Steve Spicer as European Sales Manager.
Spicer previously held roles with Nordic Seafood and Ocean Choice International.
“Whitecap is delighted to add Steve Spicer to our U.K. and European Sales team,” Whitecap’s President and CEO, Darrell Roche, wrote on LinkedIn.
“Steve brings an immense amount of experience and professionalism to Whitecap. We look forward to working with Steve and our existing U.K. and European staff to grow our business in those markets.”
Carroll shared his latest role with Whitecap two days later. Carroll spent seven years with Shucks Maine Lobster as Director of Sales.
Roche added, “Whitecap is extremely pleased to announce that Bryan Carroll has joined Whitecap as U.S. Sales Manager. Bryan has a great deal of experience in premium seafood sales, making him a perfect fit for our team. Bryan will work closely with our existing North American sales team as we continue to grow this very important market.”
Québec Clears the Way for AquaBoreal Land-Based Salmon Farming
AquaBoreal has reached a major milestone with the recent official filing of a ministerial decree authorizing the implementation of its land-based aquaculture project in Québec.
This major regulatory breakthrough confirms the project’s full compliance with current environmental requirements and attests to the rigour and depth of the assessment process it has gone through in order to meet all the Government of Québec’s expectations.
This authorization marks a key milestone for the project and means the company can start the process of obtaining construction permits.
For more than four years, AquaBoreal has invested considerable financial and scientific resources to conduct comprehensive and independent environmental studies. These studies were carried out by recognized experts and are based on robust scientific data, with a focus on transparency, environmental performance and social acceptability.
Maine Lobster Harvest Dropped Eight-Million Pounds in 2025
The Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) has reported that lobster fishermen landed 78.8 million pounds last year, generating just over $461 million at the dock.
The average boat price was $5.85 per pound, the third highest on record, but higher per pound returns did not offset the volume decline.
DMR Commissioner Carl Wilson noted that once inflation is taken into account, the overall 2025 lobster value is roughly comparable to what the fishery earned in 2008, highlighting how price gains were largely eroded by broader economic pressures.
“The impact of inflation on fishermen in 2025 not only challenged their bottom line, but when combined with market uncertainty due to tariffs, and a late moult that limited access by the summer fishery to new shell lobsters, it may have caused many to change fishing behavior, including limiting trips,” Wilson said.
According to DMR’s landings program, Maine lobster harvesters took over 21,000 fewer fishing trips in 2025 compared to the year prior, a roughly 10 per cent decline.
“This combination of factors likely contributed to the decline from 2024 to 2025 in the lobster harvest of more than eight million pounds and a decrease in the overall value of more than $75 million.”
Ottawa Continuing Battle Against Aquatic Invasive Species
Without protective and preventative measures, aquatic invasive species can spread quickly, compete with native species, and permanently alter habitats, with the potential to cost Canadians billions of dollars, the federal government said recently in a news release.
Joanne Thompson, Minister of Fisheries, has launched the new aquatic invasive species survey map. This new, interactive online tool provides an overview of aquatic invasive species detections across the country. The map will allow partners, academia and the public to stay informed about where these species are found across Canada.
Additionally, Thompson announced $1 million in funding under the Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Fund (AISPF) for eight projects across the country. These projects will help strengthen partnerships, facilitate on-the-ground, preventative actions against aquatic invasive species as well as promote education, outreach, detection and response activities.
The announcement took place at the 2026 Invasive Species Forum, hosted by the Invasive Species Centre, who have previously received support from the AISPF. The forum’s theme, progress through partnerships, is an important reminder that the management of aquatic invasive species is a shared responsibility.
“I am so pleased to announce our new survey map and the new funded projects at the 2026 Invasive Species Forum. Prevention is key in our fight against aquatic invasive species. These important tools and projects will help Canadians stay informed about what they can do to help prevent the spread of these invaders. By working together, we form a strong and united front in the fight against aquatic invasive species, protecting our waterways, nature and identity as Canadians,” noted Thompson.
