Fishery Notice

Canadian fisheries and aquaculture sectors provide the world with sustainably-
sourced, high quality, high value, fish and seafood. 

Harvesters, seafood growers, and processors, are essential to our collective 
food security and to coastal communities up and down the Pacific. There is a 
need to maintain the supply chain while ensuring the health and safety of the 
essential workers who support it.

As identified by Public Safety Canada, workers undertaking fishing and fish 
processing are considered to be essential functions in the context of the COVID-
19 pandemic; essential functions are critical to ensuring the health, safety, 
and economic well-being of the population. Guidance on Essential Services and 
Functions in Canada During the COVID-19 Pandemic can be found at 
https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/ntnl-scrt/crtcl-nfrstrctr/esf-sfe-en.aspx.

Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard is committed to supporting our 
fisheries and aquaculture industry during these difficult times. The Government 
of Canada is taking the necessary steps to ensure that you can continue to 
operate safely and effectively and we will continue to keep you informed of the 
latest developments.

All DFO critical functions will remain operational, including licensing, 
monitoring and enforcement, as well as the dissemination of information about 
DFO activities and decisions through official communication channels. The 
Department continues to have the staff capacity to respond to questions from 
partners, clients and others about the COVID-19 crisis, and what this means for 
our operations. Though travel and in-person meetings have been restricted, 
Departmental staff remain on the job and are reachable through regular means, 
such as by phone or email.  

COVID-19 is a rapidly evolving challenge, and we will continue to consult with 
harvesters, processors, and industry partners to assess individual situations 
on an ongoing basis.  

For general recommendations from the Government of Canada for the Canadian 
public, see official advice on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) at 
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-
infection/prevention-risks.html or call  the information line at 1-833-784-
4397. A key recommendation to slow the spread  of COVID-19 is to keep a 
physical distance of two metres between yourself and others. Physical (social) 
distancing is proven to be one of the most effective ways to reduce the spread 
of illness during an outbreak. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency recommends 
that when it is impractical for food production workers to maintain physical 
distancing, effective hygiene practices are to be maintained to reduce the 
chance of spreading the virus.

More information for industry on COVID-19, as well as Q&As on compensation and 
income support, and existing DFO operational activities can be found at: 
http://dfo-mpo.gc.ca/covid19/industry-industrie/index-eng.html

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency also has information for industry on COVID-
19 at 
https://inspection.gc.ca/covid-19/cfia-information-for-
industry/eng/1584462704366/1584462704709
 
Guidance on safe handling for food businesses can be found at the BC Centre for 
Disease Control's website at: 
http://www.bccdc.ca/health-professionals/professional-resources/food-premises-
guidelines

Commercial fishing organizations are also working on guidance and points of 
consideration for vessel owners and operators on ways to continue operating 
fisheries safely; please consult your industry representatives for further 
information.


FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Please contact your local field office or 604-666-0384 for general enquiries.

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0353
Sent April 6, 2020 at 1022

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Visit Fisheries and Oceans Canada on the Web at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Printed from the Pacific Region web site on May 15, 2026 at 0452