NARW CLOSURE UPDATE – July 6th, 2026 - The latest DFO North Atlantic Right Whale (NARW) Notice to Fishers  (#31) noting a new NARW sighting inside the 10-fathom line within LFA 25.  Click on the link to view the notice: http://peifa.org/members/docs/NARW closure 31.pdf

 

The closure was announced today, with Fishing prohibitions to commence on July 8th, 2026 at 5PM in full grids *HE33, *HE34, *HF33 and portion of grid(s) HE35, HF34, HF35, HG33, HG34, HG35.

 

A few notes on the protocol as confirmed by DFO today:

⚫️ A temporary fishing prohibition protocol is triggered in shallow waters when a single NARW is confirmed by either visual or acoustic detection. Exclusive to shallow waters only, the temporary fishing prohibitions are in force for a period of 7 days from the date of the NARW detection, including the gear removal period.

⚫️ The 7-day period starts on the day of detection. Day 1 is Friday, July 3rd for the whale sighted in LFA 25.  If there are no more NARW sightings within a 7-day timeframe then the fishing prohibition grids will reopen on Friday July 10th. If another NARW is seen within the 7-day timeframe, then a fishing prohibition extension of another 7 days is triggered.  Seasonal closures do not apply in shallow water management areas.

⚫️ FOR THE HALIBUT LONGLINE FISHERY, FISHING CAN OCCUR INSIDE THESE NARW FISHING PROHIBITION GRIDS IF GEAR IS TENDED.  During gear removal phase, when fishers lift their gear, if putting back in the water, they will need to tend it.