Important information regarding certain services offered by DFO, Quebec region
The Department's licensing services are now offered through the National Online Licensing System.
The National Online Licensing System is the tool you must use for:
- Renewing your licences;
- Accessing your invoices (invoices will not be sent by mail);
- Paying your licence fees and vessel registrations;
- Printing your licences, licence conditions, and other licensing-related documents;
- Submitting all request related to licensing issuance.
The Quebec Region has implemented various levels of service for requests related to licensing issuance.
These levels of service are presented in the table below. The indicated response times are calculated from the day the Department receives all relevant documents.
| TYPE OF REQUEST | DESCRIPTION | RESPONSE TIME |
|---|---|---|
| Categorization | Full-time fish harvester | 20 days |
| Licence conditions | North Shore | standard* |
| Gaspe Peninsula – Lower St. Lawrence | standard* | |
| Magdalen Islands | standard* | |
| Partnership (buddy-up) agreement | North Shore | 5 days |
| Gaspe Peninsula – Lower St. Lawrence | 5 days | |
| Magdalen Islands | 5 days | |
| New company | Creation of a new company | 20 days |
| Licence | Mackerel | 30 days |
| Shellfish, hand harvesting | standard* | |
| Communal fishing – North Shore | depending on demand** | |
| Communal fishing – Gaspe Peninsula – Lower St. Lawrence | depending on demand** | |
| Seal – assistant hunter temporary licence | standard* | |
| Seal – personal use licence | 20 days | |
| Licence reassignment (licence transfer) | 20 days | |
| Special – New request | 30 days | |
| Special – Renewal | 20 days | |
| Fish transport | 20 days | |
| Replacement of the licence holder | Medical | standard* |
| Estate | standard* | |
| Other | 15 days | |
| Vessel-related transactions | Vessel registration | 20 days |
| Vessel rental | 10 days | |
| Attach a licence to a vessel or detach a licence from a vessel | 10 days | |
| Removal of a vessel from the fishery | 30 days | |
| Vessel transfer | 20 days | |
| Commercial seal – Vessel identification | standard* | |
| Quota transfers | Permanent quota transfer | 30 days |
| Temporary quota transfer (seasonal) | 10 days | |
| Temporary transfer in fishing days (seasonal) | 10 days | |
| Others | Others | depending on demand** |
| *standard: | 3 business days if the fishery is open (or if the activity is underway). OR 2 business days before the start of the fishery (or activity) if your request was made at least one week in advance. |
|
| **depending on demand: | Once your request is received, you will be notified of the estimated processing time. |