Archived - PIIFCAF - Update and New Declaration Form

 PDF version

TO: Core Fish Harvesters

In April of last year, you received an information package and a Declaration form in relation to the policy on Preserving the Independence of the Inshore Fleet in Canada's Atlantic Fisheries (PIIFCAF). This package outlined that core licence holders are required to fill out a Declaration stating whether or not they are a party to a Controlling Agreement with respect to any vessel-based fishing licence issued in their name. Declarations were to be returned to DFO by October 31, 2007.

Due to the large number of requests for clarification related to the PIIFCAF policy, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans has extended the deadline for returning Declarations to March 31, 2008.

We would like to remind you that no licensing transactions (e.g. renewal, tag issuance, "transfer", registration, etc.) will be processed if you have not filed your Declaration by the March 31st, 2008 deadline.

As this deadline is quickly approaching, and coincides with the regular period of issuance of licence conditions in many fisheries, we encourage you to file your Declaration as soon as possible prior to this deadline to avoid delays. Also note that due to volumes involved, some licence transactions may not be processed on the same day.

We would also like to remind you that the definition of a Controlling Agreement does not include agreements with recognized financial institutions, including Provincial Loan Boards. Should you have an agreement with another funding organization, such as a community development board or community development organization, please contact your regional office to obtain more information on the process for determining whether such an agreement constitutes a Controlling Agreement (CA).

In addition, the attached will serve to clarify some of the questions being raised. Also included in this package is a new Declaration Form.

If you have already filed a Declaration and do not wish to amend that Declaration, you have nothing more to do. The new Declaration Form should only be used if you have already filed a Declaration and wish to file an amended Declaration based on the clarifications provided, or if you have not yet filed the Declaration you received in April of last year.

However, we would like to take this opportunity to remind you that the information collected on the Declaration will be retained in the Personal Information Bank DFO PPU 010.

Under the provisions of the Privacy Act and the Access to Information Act, individuals have the right to the protection of, and access to, their personal information. Instructions for obtaining this information are outlined in the government publication entitled Info Source, a copy of which can be obtained at your local Department of Fisheries and Oceans Office. Info Source is also available on the web at http://www.inter.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/ATIP/Infosource.

If you have any comments or questions regarding this matter, please contact regional office.

Yours sincerely,

Regional Director General