The use of an electronic logbook (ELOG) will be mandatory in 2025. This requirement applies to all commercial and commercial communal fish harvesters fishing lobster in Lobster Fishing Areas 23, 24, 25 and 26. The use of paper logbooks will no longer be accepted.
This newsletter will be used to provide information on the use of ELOG for lobster licence holders in the Gulf Region, when required. All information will be kept on the same document, with the most recent updates in the top portion of the newsletter. The document will be shared through the following methods:
- to all lobster licence holders through the National Online Licensing System (NOLS)
- by email to stakeholder representatives
- on the Gulf Region website : Notice to Fish Harvesters - General Notices
For any additional questions regarding the National ELOG program, please contact DFO at 1-877-535-7307 or at the following email: fishing-peche@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
NEW UPDATE - April 24, 2025
Reminder to complete mandatory sections in ELOGs
As indicated in licence conditions, licence holders/operators must maintain an accurate record of their daily fishing activities and catches in their ELOG for each fishing trip and must ensure that the data groups are completed and the trip closed (with confirmation that the data groups are final) PRIOR to arriving to port, even if the catch is zero (0).
While recording fishing data in the ELOG, Gulf Region harvesters must ensure to complete all the mandatory sections, including the following:
- Vessel Registration Number (VRN) and Fisher Identification Number (FIN) - ensure that these numbers are attached to the licence number used in the Fishing Effort section.
- Bait Used section
- Species at Risk section
- Fishing Effort and Effort Details sections - ensure that these sections include the licence number in the correct format (6-digit number with leading 0s if required)
- Catch section - even if no catch
- Landing section - each daily ELOG must have only one completed Landing section
- Personal Consumption/Use section
April 3, 2025
Inactivity report :
- The requirement for lobster licence holders to report nil on days when there is no fishing activity will be paused for the 2025 season only.
- This will allow the Department to work with ELOG suppliers to make sure that the inactivity report can be submitted as a separate report, without the need to create a trip.
First trip of the season :
- Licence holders are required to enter information in their ELOG on the first trip of the season, when setting their traps. If returning to port with no catch on the first day, please take note of the following:
- Immersion time: If the application does not permit zero ‘’0’’ as an option, please indicate one ‘’1’’ hour for immersion time.
- Number of gear hauled: If the application does not permit zero ‘’0’’ as an option, please indicate one ‘’1’’ for number of traps hauled.
Some stakeholder representatives asked to know which information will be required in the lobster ELOG that was not previously recorded in the lobster paper logbook :
Coordinates
- Providing coordinates on fishing effort will allow the Department to enhance its knowledge on the exact location of fishing activities. This information can be useful for science and establishing management measures for the lobster fishery or other fisheries that could impact lobster habitat.
Bait (type and quantity of bait used)
- Information on bait can be beneficial for various reasons, including scientific needs, as well as supporting industry-led programs which monitor sources of bait, such as the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification.
Personal consumption
- The information on personal consumption will allow the Department to account for all lobster captured during a fishing trip.