Seal Fishery Re-Opening – April 6, 2026
DFO advises Newfoundland and Labrador Seal harvesters that the Commercial and Personal Use Seal fishery will re-open in Sealing Areas 4 to 23 and Sealing Areas 25 to 27 at 0600 hours on April 6, 2026.
Commercial Seal harvesters based in the Front have access to the Gulf and commercial Seal harvesters based in the Gulf have access to the Front.
Commercial Seal harvesters are advised to check with their buyers to confirm a market for their Seals before going Sealing.
Seal harvesters are reminded that licences and licence conditions are available through DFO’s National Online Licencing System.
Additionally, all Commercial and Personal Use Sealers are reminded that landings must be hailed in daily, as per licence conditions.
NOTE: the Ringed seal fishery in Sealing Area 4 remains closed. A public notice will be issued for this fishery at a later date.
The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2026-014 has been revoked, and Variation Order 2026-025 comes into effect on March 31, 2026.
Notices to Fish Harvesters for all commercial fisheries are available online in the Fishery Notices section of the DFO Newfoundland and Labrador Region webpage at: https://www.nfl.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/en.
If you would like to have all Notices to Fish Harvesters for commercial fisheries sent to you directly by email, please contact: NLPRI@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
For information, contact:
Chelsea O’Driscoll
Senior Resource Manager
Resource Management and Indigenous Fisheries
Chelsea.ODriscoll@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
709-685-2942