Effective immediately
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is advising fish harvesters of changes in the conditions of licences to related to lost and retrieved fishing gear.
What’s changing
- Revised language clarifying the definition of lost fishing gear to include any equipment, apparatus, or device used in fishing activities, whether intact or detached from the main fishing gear (such as buoys or ropes).
- Lost and retrieved gear reporting will be removed from Electronic Logbooks (ELOGs).
- The Fishing Gear Reporting System (FGRS) is now the primary and authoritative system for reporting lost and retrieved fishing gear. If FGRS is unavailable, reports may be submitted through the PDF lost and retrieved fishing gear forms.
Why this change is being made
- Dual reporting of lost and retrieved fishing gear through both ELOGs and FGRS has led to confusion and data inconsistencies. Transitioning to a single national reporting system enhances data quality, supports compliance and conservation objectives, and reduces the need for a follow-up with harvesters.
What this means for harvesters
- Fish harvesters are required to continue reporting all instances of lost and retrieved fishing gear in accordance with the requirements set out in their Conditions of Licence.
Transition Period for Implementation
- Reporting of lost and retrieved fishing gear will be phased out of ELOG applications.
- Until the reporting functionality is removed ELOGs, submissions will continue to be accepted but fish harvesters are strongly encouraged to begin using FGRS or approved paper reporting forms immediately.
Reporting requirements
- Lost gear must be reported within 24 hours of returning to port at the end of each fishing trip.
- Retrieval of any fishing gear that was previously reported as lost must also be reported within 24 hours of returning to port at the end of each fishing trip.
How to report
Reporting lost and retrieved fishing gear must be submitted to DFO through any of the following options:
- Fishing Gear Reporting System (FGRS) – Submit online at: Fishing Gear Reporting System
- Paper Form – Available at: Reporting requirements for commercial fisheries. Completed forms must be submitted to DFO in accordance with the instructions provided on the form.
- FGRS Offline – Available for use on a mobile phone. The application must be installed while connected to the internet before departing an area without connectivity. Installation and user instructions are available at the following website: Reporting lost gear while offline.
Resources on how to use the Fishing Gear Reporting System
- Step-by-step videos are available to help you use the system.
- Access the offline reporting system for later use (available for cell phone use only)
For questions, or to request group training on how to use the Fishing Gear Reporting System, please email: DFO.LostandRetrievedGear-EnginsPerdusRecupere.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
Date Issued
Published