Recreational Pelagic Fishery

Recreational fishing for capelin and mackerel is practiced without a licence. However, you must respect the applicable rules.

Capelin

  • It is permitted to catch and retain capelin without size restriction.
  • Recreational fishing for capelin can be practiced at all times and there is no daily catch limit.
  • For capelin fishing, all fishing gear is authorized, except trap nets, seine lines and mobile gear.

Mackerel 

  • Closure of the recreational fishery takes place each year between January 1 and March 31.
  • Daily limit of 20 mackerel per person.
  • It is prohibited to fish for mackerel with more than 5 fishing lines or with a fishing line to which more than 6 hooks are attached.
  • It is prohibited to keep mackerel measuring less than 26.8 cm.

Mackerel

 

 

 

 

Regulations Amending the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985

Tuna and herring

  • Recreational fishing for tuna or herring is prohibited at all time.

Regulations

For the authorized species, the main regulations are:

  • No person shall waste fish suitable for human consumption.
  • No person shall possess fish that has been skinned, cut, packed or otherwise dealt with to such an extent that it is difficult to identify the species, determine the number of fish, or determine the weight or size of fish, if the weight is used to set the catch limit, or if there is a size limit.
  • No person shall buy, sell, trade, barter or offer to buy, sell, trade or barter any fish that was caught while fishing for recreational purposes.
  • It is mandatory to immediately release a fish caught accidentally in a manner that causes the least possible harm, if it is still alive, if:
    • the fishery for that species is closed during that period or at that location;
    • the fish was caught using a fishing method or gear that is prohibited for that species;
    • the possession or retention of such fish caught is prohibited.

For complete regulations, consult the Fishery Regulations.

    Offences and Poaching

    Fisheries and Oceans Canada whose mandate is to protect and conserve marine resources, strictly enforces the Fisheries Act and is ever vigilant in its efforts to prevent poaching of marine resources.

    The Fisheries Act provides for fines of up to $100,000 for violations and the seizure of equipment used in the commission of the offence. Fish harvesters must comply with the regulations in force.

    Report Poaching Incidents

    Contact Us

    For more information, contact a Fisheries Officer at your local DFO office.

     

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