REGIONAL TRAINER RECOGNITION POLICY FOR TRAINING IN THE HUMANE HARVESTING OF SEALS (THREE-STEP PROCESS)

I. PREAMBULE

In 2014, DFO made training in the three-step process for the humane harvesting of seals mandatory. The three steps of the harvesting process are set out in the Marine Mammal Regulations (SOR/93 56). To retain their seal licences, all licence holders (personal use or commercial) were required to complete training by November 30, 2016. The only training required by the DFO to obtain a licence is the training in the three-step process for the humane harvesting of seals.

To date, the training has been provided by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) fisheries officers or by some external providers with expertise in seal harvesting. In some areas in Quebec, the lack of DFO-recognized external trainers is an issue that restricts access to the fishery. New sealers who wish to obtain a licence (professional or for personal use) must seek the services of trainers located outside of their region, which means that they must face delays and additional costs to comply with the requirements.

II. GOALS AND PRINCIPLES

The goal of this Policy is to define the eligibility criteria for becoming a DFO-approved trainer and to provide a better framework for the recognition of trainers authorized to provide training in Quebec.

This Policy sets out the following principles:

  1. An individual who has already trained seal licence holders and who wishes to continue to do so must be able to submit an application to DFO;
  2. An individual with significant experience in seal harvesting and who wishes to be recognized as a trainer must be able to submit an application to DFO;
  3. An individual recognized as a trainer by DFO must have up-to-date training materials;
  4. DFO (Conservation and Protection Branch) must ensure that trainers are requalified and teaching materials updated every four years.

III. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

An individual who wishes to be recognized as a trainer by DFO must meet the eligibility criteria listed below:

  1. Must have provided mandatory training on the humane harvesting of seals at least once in the past three years;

OR

  1. Must be at least 18 years old; and
  2. Must be a resident of a community in the Quebec North Shore, Saguenay, Charlevoix, Gaspé Lower St. Lawrence or Magdalen Islands region; and
  3. Must hold a professional seal licence; and
  4. Must have participated in harvesting activities at least once in the past three years.

IV. INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN APPLICATION FOR RECOGNITION

An individual who wishes to be recognized as a trainer must submit the following documents:

  • A completed “Trainer Recognition Application Form” (see Annex 1);
  • A curriculum vitae or biography establishing significant experience in seal harvesting and/or describing training provided in the past;
  • A training plan accompanied by the teaching materials to be used;
  • A copy of the attestation to be given to participants;

in writing to their DFO Area Office:

Fisheries and Oceans Canada
North Shore Area
701 Laure Boulevard, Room 203
Sept-Iles, Quebec
G4R 1X8
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Magdalen Islands Sector
235, chemin Principal, door 206
Cap-aux-Meules, Quebec
G4T 1R7
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Gaspé–Lower St. Lawrence Area
120, de la Reine Street
Gaspé (Québec)
G4X 2R

V.  PROCESSING OF APPLICATIONS

The application for trainer recognition will be analyzed by the DFO Area Office, which may:

  1. accept the application; or
  2. refuse the application.

The applicant will be informed in writing of the status of their application within 60 days.

If the application is accepted, the recognition will be valid for a maximum of two years with a possibility of extension.

If the application is refused, a review of the decision may be requested within 30 days of confirmation of the refusal by following the “Review Procedure” (see Annex 2).

If the review of the file does not change the outcome of the decision, the applicant may appeal the decision by referring to A guide to the Atlantic fisheries licence Appeal process. The guide is available here: https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fisheries-peches/policies-politiques/licences-permis/aflap-pappa/index-eng.html.

VI.  OBLIGATIONS OF RECOGNIZED TRAINER

Recognized trainers must meet the following requirements:

  • Revalidate their teaching materials with DFO every two years;
  • In the event that DFO makes changes to the humane harvesting process, cease to offer training until their updated teaching materials are validated by DFO;
  • To ensure that the training is consistent with the training plan and teaching materials submitted, agree that an audit process be implemented by DFO;
  • Agree that DFO may cancel their accreditation at any time;
  • Maintain records of training sessions provided (including the names, addresses and telephone numbers of the training participants and the dates and locations) and provide them to DFO upon request;
  • Provide DFO with a list of training participants (including their addresses and telephone numbers) within 48 hours after the provision of training;
  • Develop a process for collecting comments from training participants and make them available to DFO upon request;
  • Agree to have DFO publish their contact information on its website;
  • Agree that DFO fisheries officers may provide humane harvesting training on an ad hoc basis;

VII.  REVIEW OF POLICY

As needed, this Policy may be reviewed in response to any changes that might arise (e.g., regulations).

TRAINER RECOGNITION APPLICATION FORM FOR TRAINING IN THE HUMANE HARVESTING OF SEALS (THREE-STEP METHOD)