| General Information | Employment | Regulations | Licensing | Marine Safety | Environment | Aboriginal Issues | Scientific and Statistical Information |

1.   General Information

1. What does Fisheries and Oceans Canada do?

2. Who is the Minister responsible for Fisheries and Oceans Canada?

3. How can I contact Fisheries and Oceans Canada?

2.   Employment

1. How many people are employed in the department?

2. What job opportunities are available at Fisheries and Oceans Canada and where can I find information on applying for these jobs?

3.   Regulations

1. Who is responsible for recreational boating regulations in Canada?

2. Who is responsible for regulating the import and export of fish products?

3. Who is responsible for the inspection of vessels travelling in Canadian waters?

4. How can I ensure the quality and safety of fish and seafood purchases?

5. Which organization is responsible for regulating the production and distribution of genetically engineered foods?

4.   Licensing

1. Where can I get information on fishing licenses and fisheries openings and closures?

2. Where can I obtain fish processing, buying and/or aquaculture licenses?

3. Who can I contact for more information regarding licensing of a vessel for commercial purposes such as fishing, ferrying or pleasure cruising?

5.   Marine Safety

1. Who is responsible for marine search and rescue operations in Canada?

2. How many vessels are in the Canadian Coast Guard fleet?

3. Where can I get nautical charts and other important information like tide and current tables?

4. How can I become an authorized chart dealer for the Canadian Hydrographic Service?

6.   Environment

1. If I have concerns or questions regarding water and/or air pollution, whom should I contact?

2. Is Fisheries and Oceans Canada responsible for issues concerning endangered fish and marine species?

7.   Aboriginal Issues

1. Where can I access information on the Supreme Court of Canada Marshall Decision?

8.   Scientific and Statistical Information

1. What kind of scientific research does Fisheries and Oceans Canada conduct?

2. Where can I obtain information on fish and other marine species?

3. Where can I find information on commercial fisheries landings?

4. How can I get access to the Fisheries and Oceans Canada library?

1. General Information

1. What does Fisheries and Oceans Canada do?
    
   Fisheries and Oceans Canada is the lead federal government department responsible for developing and implementing policies and programs in support of Canada's economic, ecological and scientific interests in oceans and inland waters. This mandate includes responsibility for the conservation and sustainable use of Canada's fisheries resources while continuing to provide safe, effective and environmentally sound marine services that are responsive to the needs of Canadians in a global economy.
    
   For more information on the department's mandate and various activity areas visit DFO's about us web page.
    

2. Who is the Minister responsible for Fisheries and Oceans Canada?
    
   Canada's Minister of Fisheries and Oceans is the Honourable Loyola Hearn. 
    

3. How can I contact Fisheries and Oceans Canada?
   
   Using electronic mail, you can contact Fisheries and Oceans Canada at info@dfo-mpo.gc.ca or you can call or write to any of the department's regional offices listed below:
   
   National Headquarters
   Fisheries and Oceans Canada
   Communications Branch
   200 Kent Street
   13^th Floor, Station 13228
   Ottawa, Ontario
   Canada K1A 0E6
   Tel: (613) 993-0999
   Fax: (613) 990-1866
   
   Pacific Region
   Fisheries and Oceans Canada
   555 West Hastings St.
   Vancouver, British Columbia
   Canada V6B 5G3
   Tel: (604) 666-0384
   Fax: (604) 666-1847
   
   Quebec Region
   Fisheries and Oceans Canada
   105 Dalhousie Street
   Quebec, Qc
   Canada G1K 7Y7
   Tel: (418) 648-7747
   Fax: (418) 648-7718
   
   Central and Arctic Region
   Fisheries and Oceans Canada
   501 University Crescent
   Winnipeg, Manitoba
   Canada R3T 2N6
   Tel: (204) 983-5000
   Fax: (204) 984-2401
   
   Maritime Region
   Fisheries and Oceans Canada
   P.O. Box 1035
   Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
   Canada B2Y 4T3
   Tel: (902) 426-3550
   Fax: (902) 426-5995
   
   Gulf Region
   Fisheries and Oceans Canada
   P.O. Box 5030
   Moncton, New Brunswick
   Canada E1C 9B6
   Tel: (506) 851-7747
   Fax: (506) 851-2435
   
   Newfoundland & Labrador Region
   Fisheries and Oceans Canada
   P.O. Box 5667
   St. John's, Newfoundland
   Canada A1C 5X1
   Tel: (709) 772-4423
   Fax: (709) 772-4880

2. Employment

1. How many people are employed at Fisheries and Oceans Canada?
    
   Including those who serve in our fleet, at each of the six regional offices and at headquarters in Ottawa, Fisheries and Oceans Canada employs approximately 10,000 people across the country.
     

2. What job opportunities are available at Fisheries and Oceans Canada and where can I find information on applying for these jobs?
   
   Fisheries and Oceans Canada offers a wide variety of employment and career opportunities, from clerical, scientific and administrative positions at any one of our regional offices and laboratories to field type positions with the Canadian Coast Guard or the Fisheries Management Branch.
   
   All applications for positions within the department are announced through the Public Service Commission. Go to the Government of Canada's career website and check out the "Jobs Open to the Public" link found there. Easy to follow instructions will help to guide you through the process of applying for these positions.
   
   Individuals interested in the programs offered at the Canadian Coast Guard College, should visit the College website for recruitment information particular to this institution.
   
   Individuals interested in a career as a Fisheries Officer should visit the Fisheries Management website for more information.
   
   Students may want to check out Fisheries and Oceans Canada's Science and Technology Youth Internships Program. For more information contact the Fisheries and Oceans Canada regional office nearest you.

3. Regulations

1. Who is responsible for recreational boating regulations in Canada?
    
   Recreational boating regulations are the responsibility of Transport Canada. To obtain information on the latest recreational boating regulations, including how to obtain proof of operator competency for motorized recreational vessels, contact the Office of Boating Safety.
    

2. Who is responsible for regulating the import and export of fish products?
    
   The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is responsible for imported and exported food, except live products. The Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA) handles the regulation of imported and exported live products.
    

3. Who is responsible for the inspection of vessels travelling in Canadian waters?
    
   Transport Canada is the federal government department responsible for inspecting both foreign and domestic vessels travelling in Canadian territorial waters. However, Fisheries and Oceans Canada routinely provides support to enforcement agencies for small vessel inspections.
    

4. How can I ensure the quality and safety of fish and seafood purchases?
    
   Caution and commonsense should be exercised when purchasing fish and seafood. Fish products should only be purchased from reputable retail and wholesale outlets. Ensure that these sources take adequate precautions to guarantee the quality and safety of seafood products. Organizations at every governmental level (i.e. municipal, provincial and federal) cooperate in regulating the production, processing and sale of food products.
    
   If you have any questions or require further information on food safety issues, you can to access the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) website.
    

5. Which organization is responsible for regulating the production and distribution of genetically engineered foods?
    
   The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is responsible for the regulation of products derived from biotechnology including plants, animal feeds and animal feed ingredients, fertilizers and veterinary biologics. You can find out more on this topic by going directly to the biotechnology section of the agency's Web site.
   
   Health Canada (HC) conducts a thorough safety assessment of each new product before it can be sold in Canada. HC is responsible for assessing the human health and safety of products derived through biotechnology including foods, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, and pest control products. You can find out more on this topic by going directly to the Novel Foods page of the department's Web site.

4. Licensing

1. Where can I get information on fishing licenses and fisheries openings and closures?
    
   All licensing information, including fisheries openings and closures, can be obtained by contacting the relevant Fisheries and Oceans Canada regional offices.
    

2. Where can I obtain fish processing, buying and/or aquaculture licenses?
   
   Licenses to buy and process fish and seafood products as well as engage in commercial aquaculture are the responsibility of each respective province. Aquaculture leasing in Prince Edward Island is the sole exception. Please contact your provincial government for detailed licensing requirements and procedures.
    

3. Who can I contact for more information regarding licensing of a vessel for commercial purposes such as fishing, ferrying or pleasure cruising?
    
   To license unregistered commercial vessels under 15 gross tons, including passenger vessels, tugboats or other non-pleasure craft, contact the Ship Registry Office of Transport Canada at 1-877-242-8770 (ext. 6).
   
   To obtain information regarding the licensing of commercial fishing vessels, please contact the Fisheries and Oceans Canada licensing office nearest you.  Fisheries and Oceans Canada regional offices
   
   For pleasure craft licensing, contact the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency. The service is free and mandatory for all Canadian pleasure craft up to 15 gross tons equipped with a motor of 7.5 kW or more. For more information go to the Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA) website or call the number for Customs and Border Services in the blue pages of your phonebook.

5. Marine Safety

1. Who is responsible for marine search and rescue operations in Canada?
    
   Through the Canadian Coast Guard, Fisheries and Oceans Canada is responsible for all marine search and rescue operations in Canadian waters. More information on search and rescue operations and the coast guard's partners for providing this important marine services available on the Canadian Coast Guard site.
    

2. How many vessels are in the Canadian Coast Guard fleet?
    
   The Canadian Coast Guard has 109 vessels and numerous small craft. For more information on the coast guard fleet visit their website.
    

3. Where can I get nautical charts and other important information like tide and current tables?
    
   The Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS), part of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, is responsible for the preparation and distribution of navigational charts, tide and current tables, information on water levels, sailing directions and related data. To see a list of publications available from CHS, please consult the product website or contact one of the following:
   
   Hydrographic Chart Distribution Office
   Fisheries and Oceans Canada
   1675 Russell Road, P.O. Box 8080
   Ottawa, Ontario
   Canada K1G 3span
   Tel: (613) 998-4931
   
   Canadian Hydrographic Service
   Fisheries and Oceans Canada
   Institute of Ocean Sciences Patricia Bay
   9860 West Saanich Road
   P.O. Box 6000
   Sydney, British Columbia
   Canada V8L 4B2
   Tel: (250) 363-6358
    
   The Canadian Hydrographic Service also provides a handy service called TIDEAPHONE where you can call and listen to tide predictions for your area covering the next seven days. TIDEAPHONE is operated locally from the following three offices:
    
   Halifax, Nova Scotia  (902) 426-5494
   Saint John, New Brunswick  (506) 636-4429
   Quebec, Qc (418) 648-7293
    

4. How can I become an authorized chart dealer for the Canadian Hydrographic Service?
    
   To become an authorized chart dealer, contact CHS at 1-877-CHS-LINK (1-877-247-5465) for more information.

6. Environment

1. If I have concerns or questions regarding water and/or air pollution, who should I contact?
    
   Any concerns regarding pollution of our environment should be directed to Environment Canada.
    

2. Is Fisheries and Oceans Canada responsible for issues concerning endangered fish and marine species?
    
   While Environment Canada is the lead federal department on issues concerning species at risk, Fisheries and Oceans Canada is specifically responsible for activities surrounding the protection of aquatic species at risk. To find out more, go to DFO’s Species at Risk web site.

7. Aboriginal Issues

1. Where can I access information on the Supreme Court of Canada Marshall Decision?
   
   For a wealth of useful information regarding the Supreme Court of Canada Marshall decision regarding aboriginal fishing, go through the Fisheries and Oceans Canada homepage or go directly to The Marshall Response Initiative website.

8. Scientific and Statistical Information

1. What kind of scientific research does Fisheries and Oceans Canada conduct?
   
   Science provides an essential basis for the sound management of fisheries and oceans resources. Researchers at Fisheries and Oceans Canada develop and implement a variety of scientific tools for assisting fisheries and oceans management. These include scientific surveys, new data collection techniques, basic and applied scientific forecasting methods and the publication of ongoing research in leading academic journals. Research activities fall under a wide range of topics, including: marine environment and habitat, oceanography, productivity, stock assessment, hydrography and aquaculture. For more information, go to the Science Branch section of the Fisheries and Oceans Canada website.
    

2. Where can I find information about fish and other marine species?
   
   Fisheries and Oceans Canada has a wealth of information on the various fish and other marine species found throughout Canadian waters. General information can be obtained from the publications section of the Fisheries and Oceans Canada website. Specific information pertaining to fish, invertebrate and marine mammal stocks, environmental overviews and other research documents in this topic area may be obtained through the Canadian Stock Assessment Secretariat.
    

3. Where can I find information on commercial fisheries landings?
   
   Fisheries and Oceans Canada can provide data on commercial fisheries landings. Some of this information is collected and compiled by the department's various regional offices but national statistics can be obtained by accessing the Statistics website.
    

4. How can I get access to the Fisheries and Oceans Canada library?
   
   Fisheries and Oceans Canada offers public access to its online library catalogue, WAVES. While anyone may access the database, only departmental employees may borrow materials directly. However, you can still borrow indirectly through interlibrary loan arranged with your local library.

Last updated: 2006-03-27

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