Fisheries Management Order regarding At-Sea Observers on board fishing vessels

Whereas the COVID-19 virus and the global health threat that it represents creates circumstances that place at-sea fishery observers and the fishers they work with at risk of spreading and or contracting the virus; Whereas, based on the COVID-19 situation as it exists today and based on the information available to this day, that risk may be significantly mitigated by the implementation of safe working procedures on health and safety by all parties involved; Whereas, in the exceptional circumstances associated with the COVID-19 situation as it exists today, at-sea observer requirements imposed under existing licences to fish, which do not provide for the implementation of safe working procedures on health and safety, constitute a human health risk for at-sea observers and fishers and constitute a public human health risk, the whole posing a new threat to the proper management and control of fisheries; This new Fisheries Management Order impose requirements on fisheries activities. According to this order, all fishing activities authorized under the Fisheries Act must be carried out without any at sea observer being onboard fishing vessels, with the exception of certain conditions and circumstances established under the Order.