Fishery Notice

2025/2026 Herring - Food and Bait (ZM) licence issuance is now available through the National Online Licensing System (NOLS).

Harvesters will use the NOLS to go online to view, pay for, and print the commercial fishing licences, licence conditions, commercial harvest plan, and/or receipts.

For the 2025/2026 fishery, Roe Herring Seine licence eligibility holders will have access to an equal share of the respective Food and Bait, and Roe Herring TAC as determined in the final Integrated Fisheries Management Plan (IFMP) for Pacific Herring. Licence eligibility holders may have the option to fish shares associated with the licence in either the Food and Bait fishery or the Roe Herring Seine fishery upon approval of the IFMP. More information on the quota transfer process will be provided via Fishery Notice when available. 

For the 2025/2026 season, Roe Herring Seine licence eligibility holders are eligible to apply to participate in the Food and Bait fishery in the Strait of Georgia (SOG) area only. 

Licensing Instructions:

Fees for Herring Food and Bait category (ZM) licences are now available. Licence holders are reminded that designation of a registered commercial fishing vessel is required to complete the request for licence issuance.

Applicants will be required to log onto NOLS and navigate to the 'Submit a Request' menu selection. Please include the following information: 

Vessel Owner Details:  First Name, Last Name, Date of Birth 
Vessel Name
Vessel Registration Number (VRN)
Vessel based Licence Eligibility for ZM: ___ ___ 2025(i.e. ZM 123 2025) 

A reminder that all licence renewal fee payments must be made through the NOLS. Fees are only required to be paid if you intend to participate in, or fish licence shares in the food and bait fishery.  No refunds will be issued 

In accordance with the Service Fees Act, annual licence renewal fees will be adjusted by the annual rate of inflation determined by Consumer Price Index (CPI) published by Statistics Canada. 

2025/2026 commercial licence renewal fees:
https://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/licence-permis/fees-frais-24-25-eng.html

Upon the Department receiving the required payment, the licence will be issued and notification will be sent via email to advise licence eligibility holders that a change has been made to their online account. The licence documents, licence conditions and receipt will be available to be printed at that time.  
 
An alternative to at-sea observers is available again for the 2025/2026 fishing season. This includes the use of video and electronic monitoring (EM) systems on board vessels. Please note: arrangements for at-sea observer services or EM installation shall be made by contacting the service provider at 604-291-6340 (between 08:00 hours and 16:00 hours, Monday to Friday, excluding statutory holidays) at least 72 hours in advance of the intended time of departing port.

Licence holders and vessel masters are advised to fully review the licence conditions that address full EM requirements.

Details regarding the issuance process for the 2025 Roe Herring Seine fishing season will be made available by Fishery Notice once all associated dates have been finalized. 

Client support will be available via e-mail (fishing-peche@dfo-mpo.gc.ca) or toll-free telephone (1-877-535-7307) Monday to Friday (excluding holidays) from 07:00 to 19:00 Eastern Time.  

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN1277
Sent December 2, 2025 at 1612

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Visit Fisheries and Oceans Canada on the Web at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Printed from the Pacific Region web site on April 19, 2026 at 0207