US FISHING VESSELS TRANSITING BETWEEN ALASKA AND WASHINGTON STATE

Canadian Coastal Fisheries Regulations make it mandatory for all foreign commercial fishing vessels that do not have a Canadian Fishing Licence to notify their intent to transit the Canadian exclusive economic zone to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.  This requirement includes United States Fishing Vessels traveling between Washington State and the state of Alaska.

Vessel master may hail in to the Marine Traffic Control Centers (MCTS) in Tofino and Prince Rupert
On the following radio frequencies:    

• VHF Channel 22A (within 60 mile range
• MF Channel 2054 (within a 200 mile range);
• HF channel 4125 (within a 400 mile range ): or by
• Phone to Tofino 250-726-7716, to Prince Rupert 250-627-3074 
  

Upon Contact with MCTS you will be asked for the following information and provided with a Verification File Number (VFN). The VFN must be provided to any DFO patrol vessel of Fishery officer that may request it.

1. Name of Vessel and Flag;
2. Vessel Registration Number;
3. Type of Fishing Vessel;                
4. Length Over All (LOA);
5. Port of Registry;
6. Present Position (include date & time of position);
7. Route and Destination;
8. Purpose of entry into Canadian Waters; (i.e. Transit to Alaska)
9. Are you aware of, and in compliance with the requirement for gear stowage under the Coastal Fisheries Protection Regulations? (Yes or No!)
   
   

Note: This is a different regulatory requirement then the Canadian Vessel Traffic System (VTS) Regulatory Requirements. VTS requires:

All foreign flag commercial fishing vessels 24 meters or more in length (78.7 ft.) and any fishing vessel between 20 and 24 meters in length that is greater than 150 gross tonnes, are required by Canadian law to participate with VTS while in Canadian waters.

Also US fishing Vessels planning to enter the Canadian EEZ for anything other then transiting you are required to obtain a ?Licence for Port Activities and Exclusive Economic Zone Entry by a Foreign Vessel Licence?. US fishing vessels fishing under the Canada United States Tuna treaty do not require a?Licence for Port Activities and Exclusive Economic Zone Entry by a Foreign Vessel Licence?.

The Canadian Coastal Fishery Protection Act and the Coastal fishery Protection regulations  are available at http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/index.html.