Question Period Note: Newfoundland and Labrador critics want vessel length rules scuttled

Newfoundland and Labrador critics want vessel length rules scuttled

My department’s licensing policies ensure that our commercial fisheries are environmentally sound and economically viable.

Environmental and socio-economic conditions that affect our fisheries continue to evolve. That is why my department will continue to assess the effectiveness and utility of existing policies, including those that identify vessel length restrictions.

My department is also exploring different capacity management approaches for different fisheries that may be more effective at achieving our conservation and socio-economic objectives, including the use of Individual Transferable Quotas.

We remain committed to ensuring the safety of harvesters at sea, and the adaptability of vessel fleets to the challenges posed by climate change.

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) initiated a policy review in 2018, which is ongoing. Each policy that pertains to the inshore, including vessel policies, will be evaluated and clarified within the context of the other inshore policies, and where required, amended to align with the new regulatory regime.
• DFO’s vessel-related policies, which include vessel length, vessel registration, and vessel leasing policies, is one of the key policy areas to be reviewed. The Department’s vessel polices will be assessed based on a set of relevant considerations, which include factors such as safety, capacity and effort control, consistency, fairness, and how the policies contribute to the preservation of independence in the inshore sector.
• The Department’s primary concerns are that any future changes to vessel policy rules do not unintentionally encourage excessive investment in any given fishery. The use of larger vessels may lead to increased demand for more fish in order to support the increased financial investments and increases in maintenance costs. Unless mechanisms are in place to allow fleet capacity to self-adjust with the amount of resource available, the use of larger vessels, particularly in competitive fisheries, may lead to increased enforcement challenges.
• A vessel policy review builds on recommendations stemming from the 2018 House of Commons Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans’ final report, entitled Atlantic Canada’s Marine Commercial Vessel Length and Licensing Policies – Working towards Equitable Policies for Fishers in All of Atlantic Canada. Vessel policies are being assessed based on key considerations, such as increasing safety, allowing for greater adaptability/mobility to address climate change, increasing consistency and fairness among fleets and regions, as well as key operational considerations such as small craft harbour spacing, investment and coordination.
• Safety at sea is a priority for the federal government and for DFO. Safety will be an important consideration in the modernization of licensing policies and working towards allowing for more adaptable fleets that reduce vulnerability and strengthening resilience.
• The Department will continue to advance work with its partners to advance commitments against the Memorandum of Understanding with Transport Canada and Transportation Safety Board. The Department manages a safety at sea action plan, including short- and longer-term activities in the areas of governance, engagement, policy and information. Activities include tools to improve information sharing and participation at regional events and meetings, strengthening safety at sea considerations in the Department’s fishery management plans, and working with Transport Canada to strengthen collaboration on vessel registration.

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