Question Period Note: At Sea Observer Requirements due to Covid19

• As part of the Department’s effort to control the spread of the virus, the requirement for at-sea observers was temporarily suspended on April 2. Since then, the situation has evolved, with most coastal provinces beginning phased re-openings of their economic and social activities.
• On May 15, 2020 the Department implemented a conditional resumption of the at-sea observer program that requires both the at-sea observer corporation and the fishing vessel to implement risk mitigation measures that align with provincial/territorial guidelines.
• Following consultations with industry and other stakeholders, the Department re-instated the At-Sea Observer Program on August 13, 2020.
• Due to the increase in cases of COVID-19 in the Pacific Region, a number of alternative measures, such as electronic monitoring and alternative sampling have been put into place to mitigate the risk of contagion.
• The department will continue to monitor the situation closely and take appropriate actions, as may be required.

• The Observer Programs (at-sea and dockside) provide the department with valuable third-party information on fishing activities by collecting scientific and biological data, and providing an opportunity to monitor compliance with regulations and licence conditions.
• Given the threat to public health and safety impacting the proper management and control of the fisheries, Fisheries Management Order (FMO #2020-01) was signed on April 2, 2020 effectively suspending the At-Sea Observer Program (ASOP) for 45 days, until May 16, 2020 inclusively.
• Since the implementation of the FMO, ASOP companies were encouraged to develop and share standard operating procedures designed to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
o A number of fishing industry representatives approached the department during the first FMO suspension period, advising of safe work procedures that have been adopted in their industry to mitigate COVID-19 risks, and in support of the reinstatement of the ASOP.
o Further, a number of observer companies have jointly developed a comprehensive COVID-19 action plan that outlines a range of key measures to keep those involved in the fishery safe during their work at sea. The measures apply throughout the continuum of duties, and address specific elements of observer duties and role, an approach to deployments intended to reduce transmission potential; and strategies and directives related to managing potential cases of COVID-19, including reporting and mandatory isolation.
• A conditional resumption of the ASOP under a new Fisheries Management Order (FMO #2020-03) was signed on May 15, 2020 and subsequently renewed on June 28, 2020 that makes an exception to the requirement to fish without at-sea observer on board where designated ASOP companies:
1) have developed safe working procedures related to COVID-19 that align with established federal, provincial or territorial guidelines in place in the jurisdictions where at-sea observers are to be deployed and
2) are satisfied that safe working procedures consistent with their own procedures are in place on vessels on which their observers are to be deployed. This FMO is valid for 45 days, until June 28, 2020 inclusively.
• This renewed Order remained in effect until August 12, 2020. The program has resumed as of August 13, 2020.
• Since the implementation of the FMO 2020-01, provincial and territorial health authorities have developed a better understanding of the virus and are providing guidance on how to manage the COVID-19 situation. Many provinces, including coastal provinces with active fisheries, have begun a phased-in reopening of non-essential services and activities with requirements for specific mitigation measures, safe work procedures and personal protective equipment.
• Since the implementation of the second order, a number of harvester groups and organizations have come forward to express concern about the presence of observers onboard vessels. In some cases fishers, and communities are indicating they intend to refuse to allow entry to observers, citing the health risk associated with the work that observes do, ranging from vessel to vessel and traveling sometimes across provincial boundaries.
• The decision to reinstate the program was discussed with key industry stakeholders, and aims to balance the safety of at-sea observers with the need to maintain reliable catch monitoring data.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) has become more widely available, and safe-work practices by both at-sea observer companies and the fishing industry have been implemented, in accordance to provincial and territorial guidelines.
• Comprehensive, independent catch monitoring is an essential component of sustainable fishing practices, and the department recognizes the need for this important work to continue, as long as it is safe to do so.
• Although it is preferable that at-sea observers carry out their tasks, where an observer deployment in a fishery is not possible, alternative measures may be considered. For some fisheries, these measure may include cameras, a dockside monitoring program, and/or enhance enforcement efforts. For other fisheries, precautionary management measures may need to be employed that may include decreased catches, delayed openings, or fisheries closures.
• Due to increasing cases of the virus in the Pacific Region, a number of alternative measures have been put into place such as :
o An emergency electronic monitoring system was implemented as an interim to at-sea monitoring measures on all groundfish trawl vessels that required at-sea observers.
o An exemption to the deployment of at-sea observers to do bio-sampling on crab vessels is currently being considered.
• Officials will continue to work with the observer companies and industry to monitor the situation closely and take appropriate actions, as may be required.

None