In June, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) announced details for the Unit 1 commercial redfish fishery for 2025–2026.
This fishery was under a moratorium from 1995 until 2024, when the Government of Canada reopened it following the significant rebound in the stock’s population.
Following consultations with the Redfish Advisory Committee (RAC) and an assessment of the most recent scientific information, the total allowable catch (TAC) for Unit 1 redfish in 2025–2026 will be 60,000 tonnes.
These allocations took into consideration views shared by industry stakeholders, Indigenous communities and organizations, provincial partners and others, alongside socio-economic factors, and provides harvesting opportunities while respecting conservation.
Information gathered from the first two years of this fishery will support the long-term development of a sustainable redfish fishery, and the government will continue to adjust fishing management measures as required and in consultation with stakeholders.
“Commercial fisheries play a critical role in the livelihood of many Canadians and fishing is part of the social fabric of Atlantic Canada. As part of the Government’s plans to keep the Canadian economy strong, we will continue to work with stakeholders to increase the prosperity of the redfish fishery, while respecting and enforcing conservation objectives,” stated DFO Minister Joanne Thompson.
The commercial fishery opened on June 24, 2025. Opening dates may vary following consultations with individual fleets.
Of the 60,000-tonne TAC, 50,000 tonnes will be shared based on the approach announced on January 26, 2024, which includes 14.8 per cent to inshore harvesters, 5.7 per cent to midshore harvesters, 58.7 per cent to offshore harvesters.
As part of the Government of Canada’s commitment to reconciliation, 10 per cent of the TAC will be allocated to Indigenous communities and 10 per cent to Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence shrimp harvesters who are negatively affected by the declining shrimp fishery.
An additional 7,000 tonnes could be made available to harvesters who have fished at least 75 per cent of their quotas. An additional 3,000 tonnes will used to support experimental fishing projects to collect data to support fisheries management decisions.
In response to stakeholder concerns and low catch rates during the 2024–25 season, DFO has adjusted certain fishing management measures for the 2025–2026 season:
- Fishing will be authorized in NAFO division 4RST for the entire length of the fishing season, from June 24 to March 31, and in NAFO subdivisions 3Pn and 4Vn from January 1 to March 31.
- Fishing with all types of otter trawl, including bottom trawl, will be authorized during the 2025–26 fishing season.
- Fishing will be authorized at shallower depths in summer than during the 2024–25 season.
- Bycatch limits will be maintained and closely monitored to protect other groundfish stocks from unwanted fishing and ensure sustainable fishing practices and conservation objectives are upheld.
- At-sea observer requirements will be reduced compared to last season, focusing on the highest risk period for bycatch, with 100 per cent coverage required from January 1 to March 31.
- There are two key species of redfish in the Gulf of St. Lawrence: Sebastes mentella and Sebastes fasciatus. S. mentella lives in deeper waters, while S. fasciatus is found in shallower areas.
