Professionalization (regulatory amendments for fish harvester registration)

Enabling act(s): Fisheries Act

Description of the objective

The proposed amendments would exempt commercial fish harvesters (licence holders and crew) registered or certified by a provincial or territorial certification board from the current requirement to register with Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and obtain a Fisher’s Registration Card (FRC). The proposed amendments would formally recognize existing and future provincial or territorial certification regimes within Federal regulations by accepting  registration or certification with an established Board as an alternative to registering with DFO.

Indication of business impacts

There should be minimal business impacts. Based on analysis to date, the “One-for-One” Rule will apply and result in minor cost savings. The Small Business Lens should not apply.

Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)

There is no regulatory cooperation for this initiative.

Public consultation opportunities

Online and regional consultations with industry (fish harvesters, and representative organizations) and provincial governments began in early November 2017 and concluded in February 2018. Upon pre-publication of this regulatory proposal, stakeholders and the public will have another opportunity to comment on the regulatory proposal during an official 30-day comment period which is anticipated to take place during the 2019-2021 planning period.

Further information

N/A

Departmental contact

Heather Wood
Manager, Socio-economic Policy, National Fisheries Policies
Fax: 613-990-4810
Email: heather.wood@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Date the regulatory initiative was first included in the Forward Regulatory Plan: 2018