Fisheries and Oceans Canada Aligns its Licensing Policy with Quebec Regulations

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) recently modified the eligibility criteria for acquiring an inshore fishery enterprise in Quebec. As of April 1, 2016, DFO requires a fisher or assistant fisher certificate issued by the Bureau d'accréditation des pêcheurs et des aides-pêcheurs du Québec (BAPAP) to manage a fishery enterprise.

The BAPAP was established by the Government of Quebec in 1999. Its mission is to develop and implement a system of certification of the professional qualifications of fishers and assistant fishers. In that regard, the certification board issues certificates attesting that the applicants qualify to carry on their trade of fisher or assistant fisher in keeping with commercial fishing requirements.

One of the changes made to the Commercial Fisheries Licensing Policy for Eastern Canada makes it possible to harmonize the methods of the two levels of government, while also recognizing the importance of professional commercial fishers in Quebec. This not only ensures that they have the skills they need to practise their profession, but also promotes training and improves worker safety. Moreover, the training required by the BAPAP is tailored to Transport Canada regulations.

Although this Policy change has been in effect since April 1, 2016, fishers have until June 2017 to comply. To facilitate the transition, new fishers and assistant fishers have the option of meeting either the old or the new eligibility criteria.

For more information on how to obtain fisher and assistant fisher certification, please contact the BAPAP.

Bureau d'accréditation des pêcheurs et des aides-pêcheurs du Québec

Cédric Arseneau
Fisheries Management