Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Fisheries and Oceans Canada will be releasing a total allowable catch of 440 tonnes (t) for the Atlantic Mackerel personal-use bait fishery in two equal parts. This will be a competitive fishery and the first release of 220t will open to harvesters in all four DFO regions in Atlantic Canada and Quebec on Thursday, May 15, 2025.

For the NL Region in Mackerel Fishing Areas 1 -14 the personal use mackerel bait fishery will open at 0600 hours on Thursday, May 15, 2025.

Harvesters participating in this personal use bait fishery are reminded:

• they will be restricted to a daily limit of 454 kg (1,000 lbs) to be fished by either gillnet or handline,
• a mandatory hail-in will be required for all harvesters participating in the personal use mackerel bait fishery,
• an accurate catch estimate must be provided prior to offloading your catch and harvesters must hail a trip summary to the Fish Harvesters’ Resource Centre at 1-877-884-7359 / 1-888-562-4511,
• harvesters will be alerted of closures through a Notice to Fish Harvesters,
• bait licences will be available through the National Online Licensing System,
• the second 220t release will also be conveyed through a Notice to Fish Harvesters with an expected release date in September.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2024-317 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2025-050 will come into force on May 8, 2025.

"Notices to Fish Harvesters" for all commercial fisheries are now available online under the Fishery Notices link on the DFO NL Region webpage at Newfoundland and Labrador Region

If you would like to have all "Notices to Fish Harvesters" for commercial fisheries sent directly to you by email please contact: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca