Notices to Fish Harvesters

Québec/Gaspe- Lower North Shore area:  January 24, 2024

Contrary to the Notice to Fish Harvesters issued on July 12, 2023, for the Gaspé fixed gear fleet less than 13.71 m (Lobster Group), the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) will be mandatory for the directed Atlantic halibut fishery as of the 2025-26 fishing season, not the 2024-25 fishing season.

A new VMS Hardware Standard (Version 2.0) is being developed and will soon come into effect. This new standard will modernize and replace Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s 2005 VMS Hardware Type Approval Process document. VMS technology has changed significantly since 2005, and some requirements are now obsolete. Manufacturing companies and the fishing industry indicated that the old technology was putting them at a disadvantage, as new technologies may offer less expensive solutions or enhanced features that are not currently available with present DFO approved VMS units.

After the new standard comes into effect in the coming weeks, distributors of VMS hardware (hardware that is currently part of the program as well as new hardware to be approved) will have to undergo a qualification process by DFO (six-week service standard). A Seal of Qualification or logo will be issued to all VMS hardware designated as qualified under the DFO national standard upon completion of the Qualification Program. Only hardware that complies with the new standard will be eligible under the VMS program, and details will be provided on the DFO website Approved Vessel Monitoring System units. This list will be updated in the coming weeks and months. 

DFO will make every effort to communicate with fish harvesters throughout this process, but fish harvesters are ultimately responsible for knowing which unit they possess and whether its use is approved under the new standard. 

If conditions allow, vessels will have the option to acquire a new VMS model that complies with the new standard before or during the 2024-25 fishing season. If you purchase a new unit, you must complete a new VMS registration form to cancel your old unit, as required, and register your new unit with DFO for activation.

Each licence holder must register their approved VMS with DFO before beginning their 2025-26 season fishing activities Instructions for completing the form. To avoid delays at the beginning of the season, DFO suggests that you begin taking the steps to acquire a new VMS model, if necessary, and register it shortly after the end of the 2024-25 fishing season.

APPLIES TO FISHERIES THAT ALREADY REQUIRE VMS:

This new standard will not impact the regulatory requirements or licence conditions currently in effect.

For additional information :

You can obtain additional information on management measures and fishing zones on our website : Commercial Fisheries- Québec Region.

Julie Bernier

Resource management

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Gaspe- Lower North Shore area: 1-877-898-5559