Amendments aimed at preserving the independence of commercial inshore and coastal licence holders

Enabling act(s): Fisheries Act

Description of the objective

The Department is proposing to amend the Atlantic Fishery Regulations , 1985 (AFR) and the Maritime Provinces Fishery Regulations (MPFR) to enshrine certain elements of the inshore  policy suite to support the independence of inshore and coastal licence holders. Regulations will require that licence holders personally fish the licence, that inshore and coastal licences not be issued to corporations (except eligible wholly-owned corporations) including those involved in the fish processing sector, and that licence holders who are granted the privilege of harvesting fishery resources under an inshore or coastal licence will:

  • Personally carry out the activities permitted under the licence,
  • Retain decision-making powers related to their licensed fishing activities, and
  • Receive the benefits from their privileged access to the resource.

Indication of business impacts

There may be business impacts. The “One-for-One” Rule and/or Small Business Lens may 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) provincial governments and indigenous groups began in late July 2018 and concluded in mid-September 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

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

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