Scientific Licences for Marine Fish in the South Coast Area

Fisheries and Oceans Canada is responsible for the issuance of licences to harvest fish for experimental, scientific, educational or public display purposes. If you are a researcher, research institution or biological consultant and need to harvest fish for these purposes, you must have a Scientific Licence.
There is no fee for a Scientific Licence unless it is for public display purposes, in which case the fee is $100.

Depending on the complexity of the application and availability of staff it could take up to 30 days to process, approve and send out a licence.

• Scientific Licence Application form (PDF)

If you intend to fish for bivalves that are in a contaminated area you require a licence issued under the Management of Contaminated Fisheries Regulations (MCFR). A $100 fee applies for this licence.

• MCFR Application (PDF)

The South Coast Area includes Pacific Fishery Management Areas 11 to 27, 111, 121 to 127 and Subarea 29-5 (green-coloured areas on the map to the right. Click on image to enlarge.). Fisheries Management Map.

Any transfer of live specimens between marine areas, or to holding tanks which discharge to marine waters, requires a permit from the Federal/Provincial Introductions and Transfers Committee. Applications and contacts can be found at:
www-heb.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/intro_trans/transfers_e.htm

Research into any species listed in the Species At Risk Act (SARA) requires a permit issued under SARA. Application forms can be found at:
http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/species-especes/permits-permis/permits-eng.htm

Links

Scientific Licences in the Fisheries Act

Management of Contaminated Fisheries Regulations

SARA permits

SARA
www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/species-especes/regions/Pac/pacific-index-eng.htm
 
www.sararegistry.gc.ca/default_e.cfm

For scientific or commercial harvest of marine plants (seaweed, algae, etc.) contact the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Lands.

PSP and sanitary shellfish closures

Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

Contacts

Scientific Licences South Coast (Marine only)
Mike Kattilakoski 250-756-7315
Or
Jeffrey Radford 250-756-7277

Fresh Water Scientific Licences in South Coast Area
250-756-7270

Fraser River Area Scientific Licences
604-666-7575

North Coast Area Scientific Licences
250-627-3499