Frequently Asked Questions

1. ELOG client applications are used by fish harvesters to submit their required logbook data as outlined in their licence conditions. They are created by third-party software developers and may be produced in different forms, such as computer software or an application that you may use on an electronic device, such as your smartphone or tablet. By using ELOG client applications, fish harvesters are able to enter and transmit their catch and effort information to Fisheries and Oceans Canada electronically.

2. Each fishery may have different reporting requirements, such as the mandatory or optional use of an ELOG client application. It’s always best to consult the wording in your licence conditions.

3. Use of innovative technology will allow for improvements in the way that Fisheries and Oceans Canada manages catch and effort information that it receives from fish harvesters. It will also allow fish harvesters to use a variety of new tools to report their catch and effort information in a more efficient manner.

Furthermore, electronic catch and effort reporting allows the Department to modernize the way we do business, ensuring more accurate and timely reporting. Electronic logbooks support sustainable management of fisheries resources and improved ability to gather data for traceability and eco-certification.

4. A “qualified” client application has gone through a process between the developer and Fisheries and Oceans Canada to establish that the client application is compatible with our systems and follows our standards.

5. A list of qualified ELOG client applications can be found here. This list will always be kept up to date with the most recent versions that are available. Note that your licence conditions may require you to ensure your software is updated to reflect the most recent version of your ELOG client application.

6. Fish harvesters are responsible for purchasing ELOG client application software. A list of ELOG client applications available for purchase can be found here.

7. The third-party application developers are responsible for setting the cost. Prices will vary depending on the software, but developers are required to meet Fisheries and Oceans Canada standards that ensure client applications are cost-effective for all stakeholders.

8. No, Fisheries and Oceans Canada does not endorse one application over another within the same fishery. All ELOG client applications listed on the website have been qualified by Fisheries and Oceans Canada for the fisheries indicated.

9. Device compatibility may differ according to the technology used by ELOG developers. Please contact the supplier of the ELOG software you want to use for more information.

10. An ELOG key is a string of 24 characters that must be copied and pasted into your ELOG application before transmitting logbook information to Fisheries and Oceans Canada. You can copy the ELOG Key right from the Department’s website and paste into your application.

In order to obtain an ELOG Key, users must first obtain a GCKey. A GCKey is required in order to sign into various government services in a secure manner, such as the National Online Licensing System.  

For instructions on obtaining a GCKey, please visit the Getting your GCKey: Step-by-Step page

11. You will require an ELOG Key to ensure personal authentication so that your catch and effort reporting is properly allocated. An ELOG Key is also required to allow for the transmission to be done in a secure and protected manner.

12. Yes.

13. This information allows the Department to recognize the identity of a person using the system in a secure manner.

14. Contact GCKey Support. Customer Service representatives are available to assist you by telephone. You will be asked questions to validate your identity before a new password is issued. Be sure to have on hand the answers that you provided during the GCKey registration process.

15. An ELOG Key is not specific to one licence holder, however it is specific to an individual (a person). It does not require you to hold a licence, have a Fisher Identification Number (FIN) or other requirements.

16. No, a licence holder, regardless of the number of licences held, will have one ELOG key. This ELOG key will be used with all of their licences. 

17. There can only be one ELOG Key per harvester. The creation of a personal ELOG Key does not require you to hold a licence, have a Fisher Identification Number (FIN) or other requirements. For information on how to set up an account for Indigenous fishery purposes, please contact your ELOG application provider.  

However, it is important to note that even though a designated person may enter their personal ELOG Key in their personal ELOG software when designated to fish for an Indigenous group or organization, the individual must enter the Indigenous group or organization’s FIN and licence number when submitting their ELOG. If several licences are used during the same fishing trip, the harvester will be able to enter one Effort Section for each of the licences fished during that trip. This will give DFO accurate information about each active licence.

18. Your ELOG Key is still valid if it has been used at least once in the last 13 months. Your ELOG Key is considered active once you send an ELOG to DFO. You may verify the validity of your key through the ELOG Key System. If your key does not appear, you will need to obtain a new one.

19. No, you only require one ELOG Key regardless of the number of licences you hold. If you require different ELOG modules for your fishery, you must use the same ELOG Key in each.

20. Assistance with technical support, installation, use and product support for all ELOG client applications will be provided solely by the client application providers.

22. All error messages should be verified with your ELOG client application provider. If you have received a message that the system is down and your ELOG client application provider has confirmed there is a problem on Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s side, please try transmitting your ELOG again later. If the client was previously told to try again later and it has been 24 hours without being able to complete transmissions (a transmission error message or no transmission response/confirmation), then you should follow the instructions in your licence conditions.

23. Included in your client application are instructions from Fisheries and Oceans Canada that will help you in understanding the meaning of the electronic logbook fields. Please refer to these instructions first.

Specific answers will depend on the region that you are fishing out of. For more information, you may call Fisheries and Oceans Canada at 1-877-535-7307 or email fishing-peche@dfo-mpo.gc.ca to ask any of these questions.

24. Yes, an officer can view the ELOG data that you have collected and the sections that have been closed for the current and for past trips in your client application on your device.

Closing a section will lock the information and enable a view only function. Note that closing a section does not mean that you have submitted your ELOG to Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

25. No, once a section is closed in the electronic logbook, it cannot be opened to edit again. It can only be viewed.

Once you have submitted your electronic logbook, you may contact Fisheries and Oceans Canada at 1-877-535-7307 or by email at fishing-peche@dfo-mpo.gc.ca to request a correction to your submitted information.

26. No, once an electronic logbook has been submitted to Fisheries and Oceans Canada, it cannot be retrieved to edit again. The electronic logbook can only be viewed.

27. Yes, once an ELOG is successfully submitted to Fisheries and Oceans Canada, it will be considered official and signed as per your licence conditions.

28. There will be specific requirements in the licence conditions for those fisheries where ELOGS are applicable.

29. You may manually enter coordinates into your electronic logbook; your ELOG client application provider can provide more information on how this can be done.

30. The answer depends on your regional licence conditions. You must refer to the specific licence conditions, and if unclear, call 1-877-535-7307 or email fishing-peche@dfo-mpo.gc.ca to confirm what the procedure is in your region.

31. The answer depends on which region has issued the licence in question. You may refer to your licence conditions, call 1-877-535-7307 or email fishing-peche@dfo-mpo.gc.ca to confirm what the procedure is in your region.