Policies regarding issuing commercial fishing licences
The Department's policies are an integral part of a series of measures taken by the federal government to bring about fundamental changes to the way we do business in fisheries and to lay the foundation for the economic vitality of Atlantic and Quebec coastal communities. More concretely, they aim to reduce fishing capacity in addition to increasing the profitability, autonomy and self-sufficiency of fishers in their fishing operations in the medium- and long-term.
- Policies regarding issuing commercial fishing licences
- Policies regarding the sustainability of commercial fisheries
- Issuing special licences
- Other policies
Policies regarding issuing commercial fishing licences
The issuance of commercial licences is primarily governed by the following policies:
- Commercial Fisheries Licensing Policy for Eastern Canada - 1996
- Preserving the Independence of the Inshore Fleet in Canada's Atlantic Fisheries (PIIFCAF)
- Issuing Licences to Companies
- A Guide to the Atlantic Fisheries Licence Appeal Process
Policies regarding the sustainability of commercial fisheries
Fisheries and Oceans Canada is responsible for ensuring the future of wildlife species in Canadian waters through sustainable and responsible fisheries management. Conservation of aquatic species is the Department's main priority. The following policies have been implemented to foster the sustainability of commercial fisheries:
- Policy on New Fisheries for Forage Species
- Policy for Managing the Impacts of Fishing on Sensitive Benthic Areas
Issuing special licences
Fisheries and Oceans Canada can issue various authorizations in relation to its mandate to ensure conservation of the resource and proper management and control of fisheries. Applicants must first fill out the appropriate form and submit it to Fisheries and Oceans Canada for analysis and review.
Fishing licences for experimental, scientific, educational or public display purposes
Such licences are issued to improve biological knowledge on marine species or to disseminate it to the public.
Licences issued under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) is an international treaty that protects endangered and threatened species of animals and plants from over-exploitation by regulating their international trade. Though Environment Canada is the main federal government department responsible for administering CITES, Fisheries and Oceans Canada has the mandate to issue CITES licences for aquatic species. For more information, visit Environment Canada's website for more information on this topic.
Personal-use sealing licences
In Quebec, the regional policy for issuing personal-use sealing licences governs this activity.
Other policies
Other policies relating to commercial fisheries:
- Regional trainer recognition policy for training in the humane harvesting of seals (three-step process)
- New Emerging Fisheries Policy (Revised 2008)
- Other Policies (Fisheries and Oceans Canada, national website)