Consultation on proposed amendments aimed at preserving the independence of commercial inshore licence holders in Atlantic Canada and Quebec

We sought comments on proposed changes to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations. These amendments aim to preserve the independence of inshore licence holders by adding elements of the key policies supporting the inshore fishery in Atlantic Canada and Quebec into the regulations.

Who is the focus of this consultation

Fisheries and Oceans was seeking feedback from:

• Atlantic and Quebec fish harvesters
• Indigenous peoples
• members of the public

Proposed changes

We’re proposing changes to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations that would add:

• elements of certain key policies supporting the inshore fishery (Owner Operator and Fleet Separation)
• potential new measures to ensure that licence holders remain in control of the rights and privileges associated with inshore fishing licences issued in their name

In Atlantic Canada and Quebec, an economically viable inshore fishery remains the backbone of coastal communities. These amendments aim to ensure that licence holders granted the privilege of harvesting fishery resources under an inshore licence personally carry out the activities permitted under their licence.

These changes will also ensure that harvesters retain their ability to make decisions related to their licensed fishing activities and receive the benefits from their privileged access to the resource.

The proposed changes include:

• providing that only the licence holder (or operator named in the licence) personally fish that licence
• specifying that inshore and coastal licences shall not be issued to corporations, except eligible wholly-owned corporations
• ensuring that licence holders only hold one licence per given species
• requiring that licence holders remain in control of the rights and privileges associated with the inshore fishing licence(s) issued in their name

There will be exceptions to these provisions. Those licence holders currently exempt, from all or parts of the inshore fisheries policies, will continue to remain exempt from these elements in the regulations.

In addition to these regulatory amendments, we’re also looking to clarify the circumstances for the use of a substitute operator and how its use might help strengthen the independence of inshore license holders.

Related information

• Document for consultation: Regulatory amendments aimed at preserving the independence of commercial inshore and coastal licence holders in Atlantic Canada and Quebec
• A Fisheries Act for the future
• Commercial fisheries licensing policy for Eastern Canada
• Policy for Preserving the Independence of the Inshore Fleet in Canada's Atlantic Fisheries

Contact us

Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Subject: Regulations on independence of commercial inshore license holders - Feedback
200 Kent St, 14W-096
Ottawa ON  K1A 0E6

E-mail: DFO.independentfishers-pecheursindependants.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca