Are you a BC sport fishing guide? The iREC reporting program needs your help

Are you a BC sport fishing guide? The iREC reporting program needs your help

What is iREC?

The Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) internet Recreational Effort and Catch (iREC) reporting program collects monthly information on fishing effort, as well as kept and released catch information, from Tidal Waters Sport Fishing (TWSF) licence holders.

• iREC collects data for six different fishing methods and for over 80 species of finfish and shellfish.
• Each adult TWSF licence holder is assigned to report for one reporting period for every licence purchased.
• Reporting to the iREC program is a condition of licence — it’s mandatory!

What does iREC do?

• Fishers submit fishing information via iREC
• DFO produces catch and effort estimates
• Results support sustainable fisheries management

What should you do as a guide?

Describe the iREC reporting program to clients, and explain their responsibilities:

• iREC reporting is mandatory
• Clients must complete their own iREC report with their own kept and released catch
• Reporting is mandatory even with no catch
• Reporting is mandatory for clients even if you, the guides, are participating in the guide logbook program or the creel program. These programs are independent and do not lead to double counting

If you assist your client with purchasing their TWSF licences, provide the client’s personal email address so they receive their own iREC reminder emails.

Show clients where to find their assigned reporting period, access id and deadline on the first page under iREC Reporting Requirement.

Make sure clients keep their licences. The licence must be in the client’s possession while fishing and transporting catch. They may also refer to it when completing their iREC report.

Reminder: Complete your iREC report too

Describe the iREC reporting program to clients, and explain their responsibilities:

• Check your TWSF licence for your iREC requirements
• Include only your personal fishing information; exclude the fishing information of your clients
• Report even if you didn’t do any personal fishing during your reporting period

More information on the iREC reporting program

Contact DFO’s Sport Fishing Report team: DFO.SportFishingReport-RapportPecheSportive.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca