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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Professionalization?
Professionalization is the recognition of the special skills and experience required to become a Professional
Fish Harvester. Professionalization involves bestowing professional
status on fish harvesters who have a long-term attachment to fishing
and setting qualifying standards for new entrants to the industry.
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Why is Professionalization Important?
Professionalization identifies and recognizes those key, bonafide, full-time fish harvesters
with attachment to and investment in the fishery. The primary advantage
of having fishing acknowledged as a career is to provide stability and
recognition to harvesters as they complete standardized levels of training
and experience. Professionalization is the first step in securing the
harvesters role in the fishery of the future. Professional Fish Harvesters
will have to play a greater role in the management of the fishing industry.
In any occupation, the receiving of professional status can give an individual
a sense of pride, achievement and security.
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How Does Professionalization Work?
Existing fish harvesters were "grandparented"
to the appropriate certification levels following the introduction of
professionalization. The grandfathering process was based on a fish harvester's
historic attachment (number of years of full time fishing) to the fishery
and his/her dependence on the industry (fishing income during the season).
New entrants to the industry must register under the sponsorship of a
recognized professional skipper. Fish harvesters are able to advance from
one level to the next based on the completion of a defined number of years
of full-time fishing activity and the accumulation of a specific number
of land-based education credits.
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What is the difference between Level II and Core?
Level II refers to a fish harvester’s personal certification level. The PFHCB’s three levels of certification (Apprentice, Level I and Level II) replaced DFO’s personal fishing registration system (part-time and full-time) in 1997.
Core, on the other hand, refers to the status of a commercial fishing enterprise which holds key species licences. The term Core (and Non-Core) was established by DFO in 1996 to refer to the status of a fishing enterprise, following a review of all existing enterprises.
For example, we could say "John Doe is a Level II fisherman, and he is owner/operator of a Core fishing enterprise".
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How do I become Level II?
All Apprentice and Level I harvesters require a combination of full-time fishing years and land-based education credits in order to move to Level II.
Full-time Fishing Years - Before attaining Level II status, a harvester must have fished full-time for a minimum of five years.
Land-based Education Credits - Harvesters who entered the fishery from 1998 onward require 120 education credits in order to reach Level II, whereas harvesters who fished full-time prior to 1998 may require less credits. These credits can be attained through the completion of recognized courses/programs, with one credit usually being equal to one day of training.
For more information on the requirements for Level II contact the PFHCB at 722-8170.
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How do I get a Core enterprise?
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) is the authority responsible for all issues and policy related to Core enterprises/federal species licences.
Currently, the only way to get a Core enterprise is to receive the transfer of an existing Core enterprise. For example, if a Core enterprise owner is retiring, his/her Core enterprise can be transferred to an eligible fish harvester. DFO requires that a harvester be certified as a Level II professional fish harvester in order to receive the transfer of a Core enterprise.
For more information on DFO licencing policy, including eligibility requirements for the transfer of a Core enterprise, contact your local DFO office, or DFO licencing division at 772-4406.
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Why is there a 75% fishing income requirement?
Without clear-cut criteria, it would be impossible for the Board to distinguishbetween full-time professional fish
harvesters, and those individuals whose primary employment is outside the fishery, but who use the industry to source its benefits. Therefore, fish harvesters themselves recommended the 75% income requirement as part of the professionalization criteria. This 75% rule, (which has been used by provincial and federal government departments in relation to the fishery for many years) was agreed to by fish harvesters as a means to identify and protect full-time harvesters.
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How does the 75% income requirement work?
This criterion requires fish harvesters to earn 75% of their earned income from fishing during the fishing season. The fishing season is normally defined as May 1st to October 1st (with a 30 day grace period). Earned income does not include EI, business income, rental income, investment income, workers compensation, pension income, etc. This rule does not prevent or discourage full-time fish harvesters from seeking employment outside their fishing season, or from investing in business opportunities. There is provision for the Board to consider extenuating circumstances while implementing the 75% rule and there is also provision for fish harvesters to apply for a leave of absence from fishing, for up to two years, to work outside the fishery.
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What if I don’t meet the 75% requirement?
New entrants, who are required to show a primary commitment to the industry, must meet the 75% income requirement in order to be eligible for certification renewal. Harvesters who have been fishing full-time for any number of years will only be denied certification if they go more than two years without meeting the 75% requirement.
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Am I required to do a Marine Emergency Duties (MED) course?
The simple answer is YES. Transport Canada (under Section 21 of the Crewing Regulations
of the Canada Shipping Act) requires all fish harvesters to have a Marine Emergency Duties (MED) certificate by April 1, 2007.
Fish harvesters who do not already have a MED certificate are required to be registered for the applicable MED course by July 30, 2003, and have a “proof of registration” document to present to Transport Canada if required.
For the information of fish harvesters who have completed MED courses in the past, there is normally no expiration date on a MED certificate. However, if you cannot locate your certificate, it is recommended that you contact the training institution where the course was completed.
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Which Marine Emergency Duties (MED) course do I require?
The MED course that you require is based on your voyage distance, as follows:
MED A1 - All fish harvesters on fishing vessels making voyages beyond 20 miles are required
to complete MED A1.
MED A3 - All fish harvesters on fishing vessels making voyages no more than 20 miles can complete MED A3 in lieu of MED A1. Either
is acceptable.
MED A4 - All fish harvesters on fishing vessels
or aquaculture vessels operating in sheltered waters no more than 2 miles from shore can complete MED A4 in lieu of MED A1 and MED A3. Either is acceptable.
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How can I get more information on Marine Emergency Duties (MED) training?
Information regarding the Transport Canada Marine Emergency Duties (MED) requirement
or MED A1, A3 or A4 training is available from:
Marine Institute of Memorial University
1-800-563-5799 (ext. 488)
Professional Fish Harvesters Certification Board
709-722-8170
Transport Canada - Marine Safety Offices
Corner Brook 709-637-4390
Lewisporte 709-535-2503
Marystown 709-279-2201
St. John’s 709-772-5167
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What is a Fishing Master IV certificate?
A Fishing Master IV (FM IV) certificate is a Transport Canada designation aimed at producing capable and competent fishing vessel operators.
Entry requirements for the FM IV program include a marine medical and 12 months sea-service on a fishing vessel not less than 5 gross tons. The FM IV curriculum provides fish harvesters with basic knowledge and skills in the safe and competent operation, loading and navigation of a fishing vessel. It includes training in Chartwork & Pilotage, Navigation Instruments, Navigation Safety, General Seamanship, Marine Radio Operation, Marine Emergency Duties (MED A1), and First Aid.
Candidates who complete the training, and who pass the required Transport Canada written and oral examinations receive the designation as Fishing Master IV. It is the first in a series of four Fishing Master certificates; IV, III, II and I.
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Why is a Fishing Master IV certificate valuable to have?
A Fishing Masters IV certificate is an internationally recognized designation issued
by Transport Canada. It enables the certificate holder to operate (as Master or First Mate) any Canadian fishing vessel up to 100 gross tons, fishing in Canadian waters (inside 200 miles/continental shelf), or as Second Mate
on international voyages.
It is currently a Transport Canada requirement that all fishing vessels greater than 60 gross tons (proposed to be lowered to 15 gross tons) have
a certified master with a minimum of FM IV.
As a result, the certificate creates career opportunities for fish harvesters in both the inshore and offshore fisheries.
Additionally, the PFHCB awards 60 education credits for a FM IV, enabling certificate holders to upgrade their PFH certification level from Apprentice to Level I, or from Level I to Level II.
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Where and when are Fishing Master IV courses offered?
In Newfoundland and Labrador, the Marine Institute (MI) is the only training institute offering the Fishing Masters IV program. MI offers the FM IV at their main campus in St. John's, as well as in fishing communities throughout the province.
There are usually courses beginning in the Fall and again in the Winter at main campus. For those interested in community-based offerings,
MI will deliver the FM IV in any community with a minimum of 12 confirmed participants. Start dates for community-based offerings are generally more flexible. From start to finish, course duration is normally12 weeks at main campus, and 9 weeks for community-based.
Any individual or group interesting in receiving more information on the FM IV program, or any other fishing/marine related training, can contact the PFHCB at 722-8170 or Mr. Ron Hyde at the Marine Institute (toll free) 1-800-563-5799.
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