Application forms for the Pacific Region Experimental Recreational Halibut Program
Effective April 21, 2026
The Experimental Recreational Halibut (XRQ) Program will remain closed for the 2026 fishing season.
Recreational fishing opportunities continue under a Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licence. Current recreational fishery management measures for Pacific Halibut are described in Fishery Notice FN0198. Questions and/or inquiries about the Experimental Recreational Halibut (XRQ) Program can be directed to: DFO.PACGroundfish-PoissondefondPAC.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
Upon request, Fisheries and Oceans Canada will provide licence holders the ability to reallocate uncaught quota carried forward from their 2024 XRQ licence back to the commercial sector. Experimental licence holders are responsible for identifying and arranging quota reallocations with commercial licence eligibility holders, quota brokers or other experimental licence holders. If you do not wish to reallocate quota carried forward from the 2024 season, it will remain associated with your account/fisher identification number (FIN) within DFO’s quota system.
Please select the PDF application form below that is appropriate for you. Fill out this form, sign it and submit it to us. You may submit this form by scanning it or taking a photo of it and emailing it to DFO.PACGroundfish-PoissondefondPAC.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Please note that this licence can only be issued to Canadian citizens and residents. If you are not a resident, you may fish under the authority of a licence held by a resident individual harvester, lodge/charter operation or a marina.
Individual harvester application - Pacific Region Experimental Recreational Halibut Program
Complete this application form if you are intending to fish independently of a lodge/charter operation or a marina.
Friends or family are permitted to fish under the authority of this licence when in the presence of the individual harvester. The responsibility of adhering to all conditions of licence falls solely on the licence holder.
Lodge/charter operation application - Pacific Region Experimental Recreational Halibut Program
Complete this application form if you are intending to use this licence as part of a lodge or charter operation.
Note that authorized individuals (e.g. guides) may be named on Lodge/Charter licences, who can act on behalf of the licence holder. However, the responsibility of adhering to the conditions of licence falls solely on the licence holder.
Marina application - Pacific Region Experimental Recreational Halibut Program
Complete this application form if you are intending to use this licence as part of a Marina.
Note that authorized vessels shall be named on the Marina licences. Only these authorized vessels may retain halibut under the authority of this licence. All responsibility of adhering to the conditions of licence falls solely on the licence holder.
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