Scientific licences in British Columbia
We aim to review licences in a 45 day service standard.
However, our ability to do so may be affected by the volume of applications and queries received and by staff availability to respond.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada is responsible for the issuance of licences to fish for experimental, scientific, educational or public display purposes. Fishing means fishing for, catching or attempting to catch fish by any method. This definition includes fishing when there is no intent to retain any fish such as for absence/presence studies.
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 $119.94.
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 $119.94 fee applies for this licence.
Depending on the complexity of the application and availability of staff it could take up to 45 days to process, approve and send out a licence.
Applications and permits
- Scientific licence application form
- For non-salmon species freshwater scientific licences and the harvest of marine plants (seaweed, algae, etc.) contact the Province of British Columbia.
- Research into any species listed in the Species At Risk Act (SARA) requires a permit issued under SARA. Permitting under the Species at Risk Act.
Introductions and Transfers
When any of the following activities apply, you must apply for and be in possession of an Introductions and Transfers licence (s. 56 Fishery (General) Regulations) for each instance. Transferring fish without a valid licence is a violation of the Fisheries Act.
- Any movement of live fish into or within British Columbia to a fish-rearing facility or release into natural waters of British Columbia and/or
- Any movement of fish into a research/educational facility:
- where the effluent is discharged near or into natural bodies of water in BC, and/or
- where there is culturing/grow out activity, and/or
- where fish are not isolated from other aquatic organisms, and/or
- where fish will not be destroyed at the end of the research project.
Introductions and Transfers licence application forms
Questions and applications: DFO.BCITC-CITCB.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Related links
- Fisheries management areas maps
- Species at risk public registry
- PSP and sanitary shellfish closures
- Management of Contaminated Fisheries Regulations
- Licensing information for the Yukon Transboundary area
- Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
Contact us
North Coast Area
(Areas 1 to 10, 101 to 110, 130, 142)
Telephone: 250-627-3499
Email: DFO.NCSP-PSCN.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
South Coast Area - marine and freshwater
(Areas 11 to 27, 111, 12 to 127, 130 and Subareas 29-1 to 29-5)
Email: DFO.SCA_SC_Licence_Applications-Applications_de_licence_SC_SCA.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Fraser & Interior - Lower Fraser - marine and freshwater
(Area 28, Subareas 29-6 to 29-17)
Fraser watershed downstream of Sawmill Creek, and Squamish watershed
Telephone: 604-666-7575
Email: DFO.FIALicense-LicenseSFI.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
BC Interior Area - Mid/Upper Fraser
Fraser River and tributaries upstream of Sawmill Creek, Thompson watershed, Kootenay watershed, Okanagan, Nechako River and tributaries
Telephone: 250-851-4950
Email: DFO.BCILicence-LicenceICB.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
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