Notices to Fish Harvesters

Magdalen Islands  

Fisheries and Oceans Canada - Quebec Region announces that the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) will be mandatory for the directed Atlantic halibut fishery for the Magdalen Island Atlantic halibut fixed gear fleet as of the 2025-2026 fishing season.

A new VMS Hardware Standard (Version 2.0) is being developed and will soon come into effect. 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. 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. 

For additional information :

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

Denyse Hébert

Resource management

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Magdalen area: 418-986-2095