The following questions and answers are available to help our readers understand some of the day to day inquiries brought to our attention at the OCFA. Please email any questions you may have and we will be happy to answer and post them on this page.
- What is the main objective of the OCFA?
- What type of organization is the OCFA?
- In addition to regulare memeberships available to licenced commercaial fishermen in Ontario, does the OCFA offer memberships?
- Does the OCFA issue fishing licences?
- Are there certain conditions to follow when a licence is issued?
- What is a Weight Observer and what do they do?
- Where can I obtain information with regard tot he import and export of fish and fish by-products in Canada?
- Who is the Minister responsible for the OCFA?
- How are quotas established?
- Where can I obtain information on Safe Boating around commercial fishing nets?
- What are exotic species and where can I find out about them?
What is the main objective of the OCFA?
Our main objective is to represent the industry's interests and views to Government, the media and consumers. To work for fair legislation, regulation and enforcement. Click here for more objectives and our mission statement.
What type of organization is the OCFA?
The Ontario Commercial Fisheries' Association is a Non-Profit Provincial Corporation.
In addition to regular memberships available to licenced commercial fishermen in Ontario, does the OCFA offer memberships?
Yes. You can become an Associate Member by contacting us for an application form. Visit our Membership page for more information on cost and what you will receive.
Does the OCFA issue fishing licences?
No. The Ministry of Natural Resources is responsible for issuing commercial fishing licences. They enter and maintain the licence data and approve the licence and quota adjustments.
Are there certain conditions to follow when a licence is issued?
Yes. Most commercial fishing licences are issued subject to a number of terms and conditions which provide details on the fishing operation such as:
a) waters from which fish may be taken,
b) species, size and quantity of fish that may be taken,
c) fishing gear that may be used,
d) persons who may engage in fishing under the licence,
e) the loading, landing, handling and transportation of fish, and
f) the periods and times of day during which fishing operations may be conducted. One of the most important conditions on a commercial fishing licence is the species and quantities of fish that may be taken under the licence. This is referred to as the QUOTA.
What is a Weight Observer and what do they do?
Weight observers are employees of the OCFA. Their role is to ensure that weights of fish landed by commercial fishermen are true and accurate. They are appointed as "Observers" by the Director of the Fish and Wildlife branch of the Ministry of Natural Resources under Section 36.2 of the Ontario Fishery Regulations. Observers work at the fish processing plants and observe the daily catches being weighed and record these weights on the Daily Catch Reports (DCR's). Any discrepancies with the weights or un-reported species are referred to the Ministry of Natural Resources for further investigation. This program has been in affect since 2002 on Lakes Erie, Huron, Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.
Where can I obtain information with regard to the import and export of fish and fish by-products in Canada?
This type of information can be obtained from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. (CFIA)
Who is the Minister responsible for the OCFA?
The Honorable Donna Cansfield, Minister of Natural Resources.
In Ontario, the fishery resources is allocated by the Minister of Natural Resources. Allocations are allotted to the following areas: resource conservation, the aboriginal food and ceremonial fishery, the commercial fishery, the angling fishery and other stakeholders. Ontario's Commercial Fishery provides the non-angling public access to Ontario's superb quality fish through restaurants, dining rooms, grocery stores, supermarkets as well as local and dock-side outlets.
In order to assign annual harvest limits to each Commercial Fishing Licence, Ontario's Fishery Management and Scientific Personnel analyze data derived from various assessment and sampling programs. The harvest limits assigned to commercial fishing licences are commonly referred to as "Individual Transferable Quotas". This broad-based Quota Management System was introduced across the province in 1984.
Commercial Fishing Licences in Ontario are limited to specific geographical areas referred to as Quota Zones. Each of the Quota Zones has natural attributes which dictate the common fish species and the relative productivity of the waters in that particular area. Commercial fishing licences authorize each licence holder to harvest specific amounts of Quota species. Quota species can differ from area to area.
All of Ontario's licensed commercial fisheries are subject to inspection or alternative audit procedures prior to landing any portion of their commercial catch, including fish utilized for personal consumption. Fish harvested commercially in Ontario's waters are continually tracked by various supplementary audit procedures until sold in the open marketplace.
Where can I obtain information on Safe Boating around commercial fishing nets?
Visit our Safe Boating, Safe Angling page. You can also visit the Canadian Coast Guard website for additional information on boating.
What are Exotic Species? Where can I find out about them?
Exotics are organisms that have been introduced into areas where they are not native and are considered to be among the most severe, worldwide agents of habitat alteration and degradation. Visit our Exotic Species page for more information and what to do if you catch one. The invading species hotline is 1-800-563-7711.
- I am picking fish at my berth and would like to transport a portion of my catch to my fish buyer and then pick the remainder of my nets. Can I legally do that?
- I hold a Lake Erie Quota Area 3 licence and have a yellow perch quota in the Eastern Basin Rehabilitation Area. Can I catch yellow perch in Quota Area 3 west of the Eastern Basin Rehabilitation Area?
- Who do I contact regarding amendments to my commercial fishing licence (i.e. quota transfers)?
- Landing fish in totes.
I am picking fish at my berth and would like to transport a portion of my catch to my fish buyer and then pick the remainder of my nets. Can I legally do that?
Yes. If a port officer is present at the harbour, advise him of your intentions and he will inspect the portion of your catch that you want to transport and sign the daily catch report. If no port officer is present you simply complete a daily catch report (DCR) with all the required information. All effort information must be completed on this DCR even if all the fish from one of the efforts is still in the nets and will be reported on your second DCR. In the fisher weight box, record the amount of fish that is being shipped at that time, not your total harvest. In the comment section of the DCR write DCR 1 of 2 and a note that you are still picking the balance of your catch. Put the white copy in the box if no port officer is present and send the required copies of the daily catch report with those fish.
Once you have completed picking all the fish and are ready to transport them to the buyer you must complete a second DCR. In the top left corner of the DCR check the Harvest Extension box and record the DCR number of the DCR that you used to transport the previous shipment of fish. You must record again the water body, licence #, quota zone, landing date, landing time (which will be different from the previous DCR), and the port and boat name. In the comment section write DCR 2 of 2 and balance of catch. No effort information is required. Complete the remainder of the required information, again be sure to record the amount of fish being landed on this DCR in the fisher weight boxes and not the total harvest for the day. Contact the port officer if one is in port or put the white copy in the box. Now you can remove the fish and transport them to your buyer.
I hold a Lake Erie Quota Area 3 licence and have a yellow perch quota in the Eastern Basin Rehabilitation Area. Can I catch yellow perch in Quota Area 3 west of the Eastern Basin Rehabilitation Area?
Yes. You may catch the yellow perch Eastern Basin Rehabilitation Area quota listed on your Appendix “C” in Quota Area 3 west of the Eastern Basin Rehabilitation Area, providing you have completed an "Application for Transfer of Lake Erie Commercial Fishing Quota" and received approval from the MNR. You must complete two applications, one to transfer it out and one to transfer it back at the end of the year. You can also transfer yellow perch quota from the Eastern Basin Rehabilitation Area to another Lake Erie Quota Area 3 licence. However, it is not possible to transfer quota from outside of the Eastern Basin Rehabilitation Area into that area.
Who do I contact regarding amendments to my commercial fishing licence (i.e. quota transfers)?
This information can be obtained from the Ministry of Natural Resources.
Lake Erie - Kent & Essex Quota Zone call 519-873-610 Lake Erie - Elgin & Elgin East Quota Zone call 519-583-1547
Lake Ontario - call 613-476-2400
Lake Huron - call 519-371-0420
Lake Superior - call 807-475-1231
Lake Nipigon - call 807-887-5000
The St. Lawrence River - call 613-476-2400
1. Daily Catch Reports must be completed as per Licence Conditions; fisher weight has to be entered.
2. Walleye must be separated into classes as per Licence Conditions. If there are small amounts of certain classes they may be placed in a packer and placed on top of fish in a tote or in a separate tote and sealed and labelled; or just landed as packer fish.
3. All totes must be sealed and labelled on the boat prior to landing.
4. Tote shipping labels must be completed:
a) Fill in all information as required by the tote shipping label;
b) Attach the white (TOP) copy to the white copy of the Daily Catch Report prior to depositing in the locked box or handing it to a Port Officer or C.O;
c) Peel off the back label and stick it to the back of the green copy of the DCR in the top right hand corner.
d) The yellow copy is for your records;
e) Attach one of the species’ stickers to each medal strap seal;
f) Please be sure to use the species’ stickers in alphabetical order, A,B, etc, any unused species’ stickers may be destroyed. If you are landing more than 8 totes an additional Tote Shipping Label will have to be completed.
5. You may now unload your fish, all the paper work has been completed.
