FISHERIES AND OCEANS CANADA

NOTICE TO FISH HARVESTERS

nf.21.030

 

March 29, 2021 

Notice to Fishers – Declaration of Inshore Regulations Compliance

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans advises that effective 01 April 2021, a new Declaration of Inshore Regulations Compliance must be completed by all Independent Core licence holders, and/or their official National Online Licencing Services (NOLS) representative.

This electronic Declaration will replace the written declaration which inshore licence holders have signed previously.

When you go on-line via NOLS to obtain a commercial licence under the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 and Maritime Provinces Fishery Regulations (either new or previously held) you will now be subject to new eligibility criteria and prohibitions respecting the use and control of the rights and privileges conferred under the licence to fish.

Specifically, the regulations now:

  • prohibit licence holders from transferring the rights and privileges conferred under the licence to any third party;
  • restrict the issuance of inshore licences to licence holders who have not transferred the rights and privileges conferred under the licence; and
  • prohibit anyone other than the licence holder from using and controlling the rights and privileges associated with a licence.

To allow for the issuance of the licence, all Independent Core inshore licence holders (individuals and wholly owned corporations) in Atlantic Canada and Quebec, or their delegated NOLS representative(s) will now be required to declare that the licence holder meets the statutory, regulatory, and policy requirements applicable to the licence for which they are applying.

The Declaration will be available on NOLS as of April 1st, 2021.    

Once you have made your declaration, you will be able to proceed to pay the licence fees.

If you have a NOLS representative, you will need to declare to them that you are compliant with the regulations before they can complete the declaration form and proceed to pay the licence fees on your behalf.

As per the new regulations, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans cannot issue inshore licences to applicants who have not retained the use and control of the rights or privileges conferred under the licence.

More information is available at Inshore regulations (dfo-mpo.gc.ca).

 

Contact:

Patricia Williams
Acting Regional Manager
Fisheries Management
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Phone: 709 772 6151
Email: patricia.williams@dfo-mpo.gc.ca