In a press release it is said that the Fisheries and Oceans Canada Catch Certification Office issues catch certificates to Canadian exporters, in accordance with the European Union regulation combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. As the fishing season starts in spring exporters should contact the Catch Certification Office, in order to prepare themselves to meet the new requirements.
Official data shows that till date, nearly 150 companies have registered with the Fisheries Certificate System. Under new European Union regulation came into force on January 1, 2010, it applies to any country that exports fish and seafood products to the European Union. The new regulation states that the government of the exporting country must provide a catch certificate, attesting that the saltwater fish and the seafood are not from illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans opined that the government wanted to create a very user-friendly system for our industry. Consultation with people in the industry throughout the development of this project contributed greatly to achievement of the objectives we had for effectiveness, ease of use and speed for Canadian exporters.
It is told that the Fisheries Certificate System, managed by the Catch Certification Office, is an easy-to-use online system that enables exporters to quickly obtain catch certificates. The Catch Certification Office opened officially on December 1, 2009, and has so far issued about 300 catch certificates.
