Overview
Effective April 1, 2013, Atlantic Canada licence holders have been required, in areas where tags are mandatory, 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). The first cycle of the Protocol was implemented from 2014-2017. The updated Protocol, which establishes a repeating 3-year cycle for tags distribution, will be effective April 1, 2018, and is available at www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/sdc-cps/protocol-eng.htm. The Protocol sets out application procedures, tags specifications, the process for issuing tags to licence holders, and audit processes in place to ensure the reliability of the tagging process. It is important to note that an updated version of the Protocol will be available online prior to every new 3-year cycle and that, for operational needs, it may be updated by DFO on a yearly basis prior to the Tagging Plan submission deadline.
In advance of the new cycle, 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 in their ability to meet the criteria outlined in the Protocol, and submitted in a proposed Tagging Plan by applicants. Tagging Plans must demonstrate that tags meet departmental standards, confirm the integrity of the distribution system and provide for audits 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 by December 8, 2017 to your regional office (Attention: Regional Gear Tag Program Coordinator) including your proposed Tagging Plan’ (a template is available at http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/sdc-cps/nir-nei/tags-e… ). Once an applicant has been approved by DFO, its contact information will be added to the list of approved tag suppliers and posted at http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/sdc-cps/nir-nei/tags-s…
