Fishery Notice

Due to the current exceptional circumstances associated with the emergence of the COVID-19 virus, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada has issued a Fisheries 
Management Order (FMO 2020-03) under section 9.1 of the Fisheries Act to modify the existing at-sea observer requirements imposed under existing licences to fish. 

Fisheries Management Order 2020-01 is hereby revoked and replaced with Fisheries Management Order 2020-03. 

Effective immediately, all fishing activities authorized under the Fisheries Act must be carried out without any at sea observer being onboard fishing vessels, except 
where the following conditions are met:
1. At-sea observer companies have developed satisfactory safe working procedures related to the COVID-19 virus that align with established federal, provincial and/or 
territorial guidelines in place related to COVID-19 in the jurisdictions where at-sea observers they employ are to be deployed, and keep a record of these procedures 
for presentation to a fishery officer upon request; and
2. At-sea observer companies are satisfied that safe working procedures consistent with their own procedures are in place on vessels on which the observers they employ 
are to be deployed, and keep a record of these procedures for presentation to a fishery officer upon request.

Any person authorized to carry out fishing activities under the Fisheries Act is not required to permit any at-sea observer to come on board their fishing vessel, 
except where the following conditions are met:
1. At-sea observer companies have developed safe working procedures related to the COVID-19 virus that align with established federal, provincial and/or territorial 
guidelines in place related to COVID-19 in the jurisdictions where at-sea observers they employ are to be deployed and keep a record of these procedures for 
presentation to a fishery officer upon request; and
2. At-sea observer companies are satisfied that safe working procedures consistent with their own procedures are in place on vessels on which the observers they employ 
are to be deployed, and keep a record of these procedures for presentation to a fishery officer upon request.

For greater certainty, where the two conditions described in 1) and 2) above are met, fishing activities must be carried out in accordance with the at-sea observer 
conditions contained in licences to fish.

This Fisheries Management Order takes effect on the day on which it is signed (May 15, 2020) and will remain in effect for a period of 45 days.


Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) - Information for industry

Canadian fisheries and aquaculture sectors provide the world with sustainably-sourced, high quality, high value, fish and seafood.

Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard is committed to supporting our fisheries and aquaculture industry during these difficult times. The Government of Canada 
is taking the necessary steps to ensure that you can continue to operate safely and effectively and we will continue to keep you informed of the latest developments.

Visit our website to find out more: 
http://dfo-mpo.gc.ca/covid19/industry-industrie/index-eng.html
   
The 24 hour toll-free phone-in line for fisheries notices is 1-866-431-3474.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Please Contact Geneviève Cauffopé, Chief of Regulations and Policy, Conservation and Protection, at 604-666-0588

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0453
Sent May 15, 2020 at 1654

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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 May 16, 2024 at 1921