DFO Notice on Mandatory Gear Marking
March 5, 2020
As a result of FFAW-Unifor’s Inshore Council pushing for delayed implementation of mandatory gear marking, DFO has released the following update:
UPDATE – EASTERN CANADA GEAR MARKING REQUIREMENTS FOR NON TENDED FIXED GEAR FISHERIES, CRAB TRAP FISHERIES AND LOBSTER TRAP FISHERIES
FISHERIES AND OCEANS CANADA
Mar. 5, 2020
This notice is being sent to update all licence holders who will be subject to mandatory gear (rope) marking requirements beginning in 2020
Many of you will have already received information about these gear marking requirements. Notices were sent on January 10 and 30 , 2020. Since these notices were sent, the department has been made aware that fish harvesters are experiencing difficulty purchasing some of the colored twine that will be required for marking their gear. Taking into account existing impediments, we considered many options, including an implementation schedule based on fisheries opening dates that would still see these requirements come into effect in 2020.
Harvesters are advised that previously communicated gear (rope) marking requirements will be mandatory for all non-tended fixed gear fisheries which open on or after July 1, 2020.
In the interim, harvesters are encouraged to adopt these requirements as soon as possible and to have all gear marked in accordance with the established colour scheme. Further details are outlined online at http://www.nfl.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/folios/00090/docs/gear-marking-eng.pdf
If you have any further questions, please contact Jackie Kean at (709)772-2045 or Jackie.kean@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Thank you for your patience and cooperation with the introduction of these new measures.