Commercial fisheries licensing rules and policies reference document Pacific region

Food and bait herring

Category ZM

Licence category

A Food and Bait Herring licence (category ZM) is required to participate in this fishery. Food and Bait Herring licences are unlimited entry and party based. The total allowable catch and the areas available for fishing are determined annually.

The number of category ZM licenses continues to be set at 252. However, the number of licenses issued within a given year, will be based on the number of Roe Herring Seine licenses having selected the Food and Bait Herring option.

Licence category background

Food herring category Z licenses are restricted to eligible applicants and specified the allowable catch of the licence. Although a limited number of Food Herring (Category ZM) licenses are issued each year, it is not a limited entry fishery.

In previous years, eligible applicants were chosen by way of an annual lottery draw. Only one application per vessel was permitted to be submitted, with each licence issued to allow for a maximum harvest of 50 tons.

All lottery applicants were required to:

1. Designate a vessel that has been designated for a Roe Herring Seine (category HS) licence eligibility or as a harvest vessel for a Spawn on Kelp (category J) licence eligibility within the past five years (2004 – 2008),
2. Ensure that the designated vessel has functioning Refrigerated Seawater (R.S.W.) or Chilled Seawater (C.S.W.) capability,
3. Select a fishing area (e.g. Prince Rupert or Strait of Georgia)

The Food and Bait Herring fishery occurs from November to February every year. Historically, category ZM licence holders have harvested from the season open date, typically November 7th, to the end of the fishing season, typically February 9th. With the fishery normally closing prior to the opening of the Roe Herring fishery, which typically was February 10th.

Herring stocks have fluctuated over the years. In the 1930s, catches dropped to 30,000 tons of which a major portion went into reduction products. Between 1968 and 1971, the fishery was curtailed due to stock concerns but was revived in 1977 in response to a collapse of European stocks.

As stocks rebounded, demand declined and the largest market was to supply bait for the Alaska king Crab fishery. By 1982, the industry was concerned that the large quantities being exported were affecting the high value Roe Herring fishery. A 50 ton individual quota system was implemented in 1988 with a total coast-wide quota of 1,500 tons. Since that time, catches have varied from six to 1,200 tons annually.

Since the 2017/2018 season, the number of category ZM licence eligibilities has been set to 252. Based on a one-to-one basis for each category HS and FHS licence eligibility; on a pilot basis. During this pilot process, the lottery process will not be utilized.

Fishing areas

Prince Rupert (North) – Areas 3, 4 and 5

Strait of Georgia (Gulf) – Areas 13, 14, 17, 18 and 29

*As the fishing areas associated with the Food and Bait Herring fishery may change on an annual basis, please refer to the current year Integrated Fisheries Management Plan (IFMP) – Pacific Herring to view the current area selections.

As part of the Roe Herring area selection process, roe seine licence eligibility holders may select the option to harvest in the Strait of Georgia or Prince Rupert Food and Bait fisheries. The maximum number of roe seine licences for each area will be provided following the determination of fishery quotas for each area.

Licence renewal fees

The category ZM licence renewal fee is $30.00.

Licence issuance

There is no limit on the number of category ZM licence eligibilities which may be designated to a vessel. It is the responsibility of vessel owners/masters to consider the carrying capacity of the vessel, when designating multiple licences to a vessel.

Prior to licence issue, the licence holder must ensure that the designated vessel:

• is a registered Canadian commercial fishing vessel with functioning refrigerated seawater (RSW) or chilled seawater (CSW) capability.

Food and Bait Herring licence holders are required to designate the fishing vessel to hold the licence by submitting a request through the National Online Licensing System. Instructions are available.

The available quota for the Strait of Georgia will be shared on a percentage basis by the 252 Roe Herring Seine licence eligibility holders.

Roe seine licence holders who choose the Food and Bait fishery option will not be eligible to participate in the current year Roe Herring Seine fishery, and revised licence conditions will be issued with the share and fixed quota amounts specified. The fixed quota will be established at the time of Roe Herring Seine licence selection.

Under the Canada Shipping Act, all vessels fishing herring or capelin are required to have a valid stability certificate/booklet on board the vessel.

Service provider

Licence holders must ensure that arrangements have been made with an approved service company to meet the notifications, catch verification, and catch sampling requirements of the licence conditions. DFO will provide the observer letter to the vessel master, based on information provided by the Pacific Fishery Licence Unit.

Licence documents

Food and Bait Herring licence documents are valid from the date of issuance to February 12th of the next calendar year.

Licence holders may reprint any lost or destroyed licence documents using the National Online Licensing System (NOLS).

Vessel redesignation

Category ZM licenses may be redesignated to another registered Canadian commercial fishing vessel at any time during the year, as long as the conditions of licence have been met, such as the completion, submission and acceptance of logbooks.

Licence holders may redesignate a fishing vessel to hold the licence by submitting a request through the National Online Licensing System. Instructions are available.

There is no limit in the number of category ZM licences that may be designated to a vessel. It is the responsibility of vessel owners/masters to consider the carrying capacity of the vessel when designating multiple licences to a vessel.

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