Gulf Region Electronic Logbook (ELOG) Voluntary in 2019 for the Snow Crab, Shrimp and Lobster Fisheries

Moncton, NB – April 10, 2019 – Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is announcing the progressive implementation of the electronic logbook (ELOG) for the Snow Crab, Shrimp and Lobster fisheries in the Gulf Region.

Introduced as a pilot project in certain fleets from the Gulf and Quebec Regions in 2009 and 2010, ELOGS are client applications used on board vessels that allow for the electronic collection of fishing catch and effort information.

These applications facilitate data transfer to the Department and contribute to the modernisation and sustainable management of fisheries, and also allow fish harvesters to better respond to traceability and eco-certification requests. The use of the ELOG will be expanded to most Canadian commercial fisheries.

The following fisheries have been identified for the voluntary phase (phase 1) of the implementation of the ELOG in the Gulf Region in 2019:

• Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (SGSL) Snow Crab, Crab Fishing Area (CFA) 12,
• Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence Shrimp, Shrimp Fishing Areas (SFAs) 8, 9, 10 and 12
  (Esquiman, Anticosti, Sept-Îles and Estuary), and
• Lobster, Lobster Fishing Areas (LFAs) 23, 24, 25, 26A and 26B.

These fisheries were identified based on the interest of industry, the feasibility of the implementation, as well as the strategic and operational importance for DFO.

The implementation of the ELOG will be on a voluntary basis in 2019 and only the client applications (software) compliant with DFO standards will be authorized.

Licence holders interested in using the ELOG must obtain and install an ELOG Key in their client application in order to allow data transmission to the Department. To obtain an ELOG key, licence holders must follow the following steps:

1. Visit the DFO website : www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/elogs.
2. Click on .
3. Enter your Government of Canada Key User ID (GCKey) and password, the same
   ones you use to access the National Online Licensing System.
4. Your ELOG Key and instructions will appear.

The ELOG must be completed for each fishing expedition. A fishing expedition means a trip that commences at the time a fishing vessel leaves a port to engage in fishing and terminates at the time fish caught during that period are offloaded.

DFO intends to implement the mandatory phase of ELOG (phase 2) in the SGSL Snow Crab fishery (CFAs 12, 12E, 12F and 19), Shrimp fisheries (SFAs 8-12) and in the Lobster fishery (LFAs 23-26), as well as expand the implementation of ELOG to other fisheries in future years. Further details will be communicated at a later time on this matter.

The ELOG software that was originally developed as a pilot in 2009-2010 will no longer be supported by DFO as of 2019.

Additional information relevant to the ELOG project, including frequently asked questions, step-by-step guides, and the list of client applications authorised for use in the Gulf Region can be found on the DFO ELOG website.

The Department has also established an ELOG Client Support service to provide additional information and support for DFO related issues. Information and support can be obtained by calling 1-877-535-7307.

For more information