Fishery Notice

FOREIGN COMMERCIAL FISHING VESSELS - LICENCING AND HAILS
For the information and use of owners and operators of all commercial fishing vessels registered outside of Canada and their Vessel Representatives/Agents in Canada. 

The following is a summary of licencing and hail notification requirements that must be complied with in order to operate legally within Canadian waters and to access Canadian ports.

TRANSITING VESSELS (ALL)
Foreign commercial fishing vessels that wish to transit through Canadian waters without stopping at anchor or entering a Canadian port must notify the Canadian Coast Guard, Marine Communications and Traffic Services, (CCG-MCTS). Vessels wishing to transit through waters inside of Vancouver Island are to contact Victoria CCG-MCTS, while all vessels transiting through outside waters off the West coast of Vancouver Island are to contact Prince Rupert CCG-MCTS, through the following means:
 (a) VHF channel 83A (within a 60 mile range);
 (b) MF channel 2054 (within a 200 mile range);
 (c) HF channel 4125 (within a 400 mile range); or
 (d) Using a satellite phone or cellular phone and dialing 250-627-3081 (Prince Rupert), or 250-363-6333 (Victoria).

A Foreign Fishing Vessel (FFV) Hail-in verification number will be provided to you by CCG-MCTS, this Hail number must be quoted upon request by a Fishery Officer. Transiting vessels are reminded that no stopping or entering port is permitted if you hail your intent to transit only. Transiting vessels must have all fishing gear stowed below decks or in a manner that prohibits deployment for fishing while transiting through Canadian waters. Should you experience a safety or medical emergency during your journey call CCG-MCTS by one of the methods listed above or on VHF Channel 16.

No Canadian EEZ Licence is required for foreign vessels transiting through Canadian waters, only the Transiting Hail number is required.

PORT ACCESS (ALL)
"Port-Access" EEZ Licence.
Foreign Fishing Vessels wishing to enter one of the following designated Canadian ports must first apply for and acquire a Canadian Port-Access Licence from the Department of Fisheries & Oceans (DFO) Canada. 
American tuna fishing vessels wishing to access a Canadian port under the provisions of the Pacific Albacore Tuna Treaty (PATT) must first have their vessel name listed on the NOAA/NMFS list of approved participant tuna vessels by contacting NOAA/NMFS. The owner of any US albacore fishing vessel who wants that vessel to be on the list of US vessels eligible to participate in the reciprocal access agreement for albacore tuna in Canadian waters and ports must first contact NMFS at (562) 980-4238, or email wcr-permits@noaa.gov prior to applying to DFO for a Canadian port-access licence.

A new Port-Access Licence is required for each separate CDN port visit, regardless of the port. Submit an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Application Form - along with a copy of the vessel's fishing licence and vessel registration certificate - to DFO Licencing by e-mail at: 
fishing-peche@dfo-mpo.gc.ca  

Attn: Pacific Region applicants. DO NOT FAX applications.

Additional information and EEZ Application Forms may be found at:
https://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/licence-permis/forms/eez-instruc-zee-eng.html

Designated FFV Ports in British Columbia, Canada:
Steveston 
Vancouver
Victoria
Ucluelet
Port Hardy
Coal Harbour (North Vancouver Island)
Prince Rupert/Port Edward

Foreign Fishing Vessel access to any other Canadian port in the Pacific Region is not permitted. Docking or conducting any activities in a Canadian port without a Port-Access Licence is not permitted.

American tuna fishing vessels wishing to access Canadian ports under the provisions of the Pacific Albacore Tuna Treaty (PATT) must first have their vessel name listed on the NOAA/NMFS list of approved participant tuna vessels by contacting NOAA/NMFS. The owner of any US albacore fishing vessel who would like that vessel to be on the list of US vessels eligible for Canadian port access under PATT must first contact NMFS at (562) 980-4238, or email wcr-permits@noaa.gov prior to applying to DFO for a Canadian EEZ port access licence. In years where a signed PATT reciprocal port access agreement is not in place between Canada and the United States, all port access applications from US tuna vessels will be subject to additional review and approval processes in Ottawa.

A separate Port-Access Licence is required for each separate authorized port visit. If the vessel leaves port, or the expiry date on the Port Access Licence elapses, the vessel must apply again and receive a new Port-Access Licence and Licence Conditions prior to making any other port visit.

Vessels applying for port access in Canada are required to identify a Vessel Agent located in Canada who is authorized by the vessel's Flag-State Consulate to represent that vessel and nation for the purpose of any required communications, licence applications, licence amendments, etc. with Government of Canada officials. A list of US-Approved Vessel Agents located in Canada is available from DFO upon request. 

Apply for all licences well in advance. Allow at least 5-10 full clear business days (excluding weekends, holidays, or partial business days) for the processing of your Port-Access Licence application. 

Vessels must have the approved Port-Access Licence, accompanying signed Authorization Form, and Licence Conditions onboard the vessel, (in either paper or electronic format) before entering Canadian waters and/or a Canadian port. Failure to have the licence and licence conditions onboard is a violation of Canadian law and may result in prosecution and/or refusal to allow port access. All documentation must be kept readily accessible for inspection by a Fishery Officer upon demand.

Port-Access Hail-in.
All foreign fishing vessels must also Hail-in to CCG-MCTS at least 24 hours prior to intended arrival at a Canadian port. CCG-MCTS can be reached for port Hails by the same radio or telephone contact methods as described above under "Transiting Vessels". Vessels wishing to Hail-in to a port must already have acquired their Port-Access Licence for that intended port visit, and must be prepared to quote their Port-Access Licence number when Hailing-in. Providing the information requested during the Hail-in procedure is a requirement under international agreements governing Port State Measures to help confront Illegal-Unregulated-Unreported (IUU) fishing.

All vessels in Canadian waters or in Canadian ports may be subject to inspection by Fishery Officers to ensure compliance with applicable laws and licence conditions.

In emergency or unforeseen safety-related circumstances, (i.e. mechanical failure that threatens crew safety, medical emergency, unpredictable extreme weather, etc.) vessels may enter any Canadian port or waters that will provide shelter or medical assistance as needed. In the case of seeking shelter from bad weather, foreign vessels are permitted to set anchor only - not to come ashore, dock the vessel, or conduct any activities on land. A port Hail to MCTS via VHF or satellite phone is still required, and a Port-Access Licence must be applied for as soon as possible upon safe arrival in port. No docking or non-emergency related activities may be conducted until the vessel secures a Port-Access Licence from DFO.

The CCG-MCTS contact methods for Port-Access Hails are the same as outlined above for Transiting vessel Hails.

Vessel Masters are reminded that at all times while in Canadian waters within 12 nautical miles of shore commercial vessels are required to have their AIS transponders operational and actively displaying the vessel's positional data. This is a requirement under the Canada Shipping Act, Navigation Safety Regulations.

Any time a foreign vessel wishes to enter a Canadian port for safety-related circumstances as described above, or for any other reason, that vessel is also required to notify the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) and comply with all relevant customs and border security requirements. CBSA contact details are listed below.

Failure to hail-in to a Canadian port is a violation of Canadian law and may result in prosecution and/or refusal to allow port access.

ACTIVE FISHING VESSELS (ALBACORE TUNA)
"Fishing" EEZ Licence.

American tuna fishing vessels wishing to fish in Canadian waters under the provisions of the Pacific Albacore Tuna Treaty (PATT), marine scientific research vessels fishing under the authority of a scientific licence and/or EEZ licence issued by DFO, and certain other vessels, may apply for and receive an EEZ Fishing Licence that authorizes them to fish or collect scientific samples inside Canadian EEZ waters. 

American tuna fishing vessels wishing to fish in Canadian waters under the provisions of the Pacific Albacore Tuna Treaty (PATT) must first have their vessel name listed on the NOAA/NMFS list of approved participant tuna vessels by contacting NOAA/NMFS. The owner of any US albacore fishing vessel who would like that vessel to be on the list of US vessels eligible to fish for albacore tuna in Canadian waters must first contact NMFS at (562) 980-4238, or email wcr-permits@noaa.gov prior to applying to DFO for a Canadian EEZ fishing licence. Canadian EEZ fishing licenses will only be issued to American vessels in years where a signed PATT reciprocal fishing access agreement is in place. 

Before entering Canadian waters, all foreign fishing vessels wishing to conduct any fishing activity in Canadian waters must first apply for and acquire a Canadian EEZ Fishing Licence for the species they wish to harvest by submitting an EEZ Application Form to DFO Licencing at: 
fishing-peche@dfo-mpo.gc.ca  

Attn:  Pacific Region applicants. DO NOT FAX applications.

Additional information and EEZ Application Forms may be found at: https://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/licence-permis/forms/eez-instruc-zee-eng.html

Apply for all licences well in advance. Allow at least 5-10 full clear business days (excluding weekends, holidays, or partial business days) for the processing of your EEZ Fishing Licence application.

Vessels must have the approved EEZ Fishing Licence, signed Authorization Form, and Licence Conditions onboard the vessel,(in either paper or electronic format) before entering Canadian waters to fish. All documentation must be kept readily accessible for inspection by a Fishery Officer upon demand. Failure to have the licence, Authorization, and licence conditions onboard is a violation of Canadian law and may result in prosecution, direction from a Fishery Officer to cease all fishing, and/or expulsion from Canadian waters. Vessel Masters are required to read, understand, and comply with all Licence Conditions. 

No species other than those authorized by the EEZ Fishing Licence and Licence Conditions may be harvested or retained for any reason while fishing in Canadian waters.

As in previous years, an American vessel operating under the USA-Canada Pacific Albacore Tuna Treaty (PATT), will only be required to apply for one EEZ Fishing Licence at the start of the year, (not including Port-Access Licence applications - above). Thereafter for the rest of the calendar year, the American Albacore Tuna vessel will only be required to Hail-in and Hail-out of Canadian waters prior to each boundary crossing (details below).

Canadian Waters Hail-in.
All foreign fishing vessels must Hail-in to CCG-MCTS prior to entering Canadian waters. USA Albacore Tuna vessels actively fishing in Canadian waters under a Canadian EEZ Fishing licence are required to Hail-in and Hail-out of Canadian waters prior to each boundary crossing, additional details are provide in the EEZ Fishing Licence Conditions attached with each EEZ licence issued by DFO. Vessels wishing to Hail-in to Canadian waters to fish or to enter a Canadian port must already have acquired their EEZ Fishing Licence (and/or Port-Access Licence), and must be prepared to quote their applicable Licence number when Hailing-in. Providing the information requested during the Hail-in procedure is a requirement under your Licence Conditions. All vessels in Canadian waters or in Canadian ports may be subject to inspection by Fishery Officers to ensure compliance with applicable laws and licence conditions.

The CCG-MCTS contact methods for Fishing Hails are the same as outlined above for Transiting vessel Hails.

TRANSHIPPING FISH AT-SEA (PINK & CHUM SALMON)
Foreign Packer / Tender / Transport vessels wishing to tranship fish from Canadian fishing vessels at-sea in Canadian waters, (without entering a Canadian port), must apply for and acquire an EEZ Transhipping/Export licence and comply with all licence conditions attached thereto. 

Transhipping vessels must also Hail-in to Canadian waters with CCG-MCTS as outlined above for fishing vessels.

EXITING VESSELS (ALL)
Exit Hails.

All foreign fishing vessels,(other than vessels that have Hailed for Transiting only) planning to leave Canadian waters are also required to notify CCG-MCTS at least 72 hours prior to exiting. The CCG-MCTS contact methods for Exit Hails are the same as outlined above for Transiting vessel Hails.

For PATT Tuna Vessels. 

Exit Hails replace the former requirement for a tuna Hail-out of the Canadian Tuna fishing Zone of the IATTC. USA Tuna vessels are not required to file two separate Hails when leaving Canadian waters.

MARINE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH (MSR) VESSELS
Foreign vessels wishing to conduct marine scientific research in Canadian waters must first submit an UNCLOS MSR application form to the Foreign Affairs Ministry of the nation wishing to conduct the research. If the application is successful, that State will direct the MSR application through diplomatic channels to Global Affairs Canada. United States MSR applicants can write to MarineScience@state.gov for advice or guidance from the Department of State.

Canada advises that MSR requests should be made six months in advance of the proposed date of MSR entry.

A copy of the UNCLOS MSR application form can be requested from Global Affairs Canada at igr@international.gc.ca

MSR information for Canada can be found at the Global Affairs Canada webpage by typing "MSR Global Affairs Canada" into most internet search engines.

VESSEL TRAFFIC SYSTEM (VTS)
A reminder to mariners that all commercial fishing vessels 24 meters or more in length (78.7 ft.), and any fishing vessel between 20 and 24 meters in length that is greater than 150 gross tonnes, is required by Canadian law to participate with VTS while in Canadian waters. Contact CCG-MCTS by radio to participate in VTS. This system helps ensure the safety of all vessels travelling in close proximity while in Canadian waters.

CLEARING CUSTOMS - BORDER SECURITY REQUIRMENTS
All foreign vessels wishing to stop in Canadian Territorial waters, meet with another vessel, or enter a Canadian port are required to also comply with all applicable Canadian Customs laws and regulations, including notification to the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA). The following contact methods are available for more information.

General CBSA Information: CBSA Requirements for Commercial Vessels: https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/aci-manif-ipec/req-exig-eng.html
CBSA Toll free Info Contacts:
       (Inside Canada):  1-800-461-9999
       (Outside Canada):  1-204-983-3500,  or   1-506-636-5064
	 (TTY Phone):  1-866-335-3237
	 (e-mail): contact@cbsa.gc.ca
	 (Website): www.cbsa.gc.ca/contact/bis-sif-eng.html

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Requests for licensing information can be emailed to: fishing-peche@dfo-mpo.gc.ca  

Additional information requests may be submitted to Fishery Officer jason.gibson@dfo-mpo.gc.ca or 250-754-0206.

To ensure that you receive email notifications, be sure to update your email address under your profile in the NOLS. Instructions on updating email addresses may be found at: https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fisheries-peches/sdc-cps/products-produits/user-manual-utilisateurs-sec2-eng.html#toc2.3, 2.3 Profile in the User Training Manual (https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fisheries-peches/sdc-cps/products-produits/user-manual-utilisateurs-eng.html

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0006
Sent January 3, 2025 at 1212

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Printed from the Pacific Region web site on April 18, 2026 at 0159