Letter Of Interest For Supplying Gear Tags for Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Effective April 1, 2013, Atlantic Canada licence holders have been required, in areas where gear tags are required by licence condition, to assume full responsibility for both the cost and acquisition of commercial gear tags. As a result, licence holders are required to obtain gear tags from a Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) approved tag supplier of their choice that services their fishing area. To guide the process, DFO developed the Protocol for Gear Tagging in Atlantic Commercial Fisheries (The Protocol). Please note that DFO has extended the 2018-2020 Protocol currently in effect for an additional year due to an ongoing review of the gear tagging program. Extensions such as this one can occur at the end of any 3-year cycle to accommodate operational needs and, in such circumstances, the information is communicated to industry prior to the Tagging Plan submission deadline. The updated Protocol will be effective from April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022, and is available at https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fisheries-peches/sdc-cps/protocol-eng.html The Protocol sets out application procedures, tags specifications, the process for issuing tags to licence holders, and compliance review in place to ensure the reliability of the gear tagging process. An updated version of the Protocol will be available online prior to the next 3-year cycle covering the period from April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2025.

In anticipation of the 2021 fishing season, DFO is soliciting the interest of companies, fishing organizations and Aboriginal groups who may apply to be considered by DFO as approved tag suppliers. DFO will review proposed applications and Tagging Plans for their ability to meet the criteria outlined in the Protocol. Tagging Plans must demonstrate that tags meet departmental standards, confirm the integrity of the distribution system and provide for verification by Fishery Officers. To ensure the integrity of the tagging system, DFO will not approve Tagging Plans submitted by applicants where approval will result in a conflict of interest between an approved tag supplier and licence holders. Details on how to complete a Tagging Plan is included in the Protocol.

Should you be interested to be considered as an approved tag supplier, please submit your application to your regional office (Attention: Regional Gear Tag Program Coordinator) by December 16, 2020 including your proposed Tagging Plan’ (a template is available at https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fisheries-peches/sdc-cps/nir-nei/tags-etiquettes-temp-gab-eng.html). Be advised that applications for approval of a Tagging Plan shall be submitted at least 120 days prior to the opening of the commercial fishery(s) for which the application is being made.

Once an applicant has been approved by DFO, its contact information will be added to the list of DFO approved tag suppliers available online at https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fisheries-peches/sdc-cps/nir-nei/tags-supplier-region-eng.html.