29 January 2025
Director
Manitoba Fisheries Branch
Executive Director
Domestic Vessel Regulatory Oversight & Boating Safety
Transport Canada
Director, National Licensing Operations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
In June 2024, 2 commercial fishing vessel accidents occurred on Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba, resulting in 4 fatalities. The first occurrence took place on 17 June near Norway House (M24P0139) and the second occurrence took place on 27 June near Grand Rapids (M24P0140). No distress call was received in either occurrence. Both vessels were carrying life jackets, but the fish harvesters were not wearing them.
In accordance with the TSB Occurrence Classification Policy, the circumstances of these occurrences were assessed and classified as Class 5 occurrences. Consequently, TSB activity was limited to the collection of data, which has been recorded for safety analysis, statistical reporting, and archival purposes.
Data collected about the occurrences has identified that the operators of both vessels held commercial fishing licences issued by the Manitoba Ministry of Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resources, but neither fishing vessel was registered with Transport Canada (TC).
Registering a commercial fishing vessel with TC is a requirement under the Canada Shipping Act, 2001; however, many of Manitoba’s commercial fishing vessels are unregistered, creating a risk that fish harvesters will not know about or adhere to regulations intended to increase fishing safety. The TSB has identified that there were approximately 1200 licensed fish harvesters in Manitoba as of 2022,Fisheries and Oceans Canada, “Fishing-Related Employment by Industry and Province, 2019–2022”, accessible at https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/stats/cfs-spc/tab/cfs-spc-tab2-eng.htm (last accessed on 03 December 2024). but only approximately 190 registered fishing vessels in the province as of 2024.Search of Transport Canada Vessel Registration Query System on 03 December 2024 (available at https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/4/vrqs-srib/eng/vessel-registrations/search-results?DataSource=AllRegisteredVessels&ExcludeClosedVessels=True&ExcludeSuspendedVessels=True&VesselType=090&Province=MB, last accessed on 03 December 2024). Since 2014, there have been 8 fish harvester fatalities on commercial vessels operating in Manitoba, including these occurrences in June.TSB marine transportation safety occurrences M24P0139, M24P0140, M22P0389 and M18P0394.
Registering a commercial vessel with TC introduces fish harvesters to the regulatory regime governing commercial fishing safety. It also establishes a point of contact between TC and the vessel owner and allows TC to communicate safety messages such as updates to regulations, reminders of safety action required, and other relevant information directly to vessel owners. Accurate registration also provides search and rescue coordinators with vessel information that is useful in an emergency.
The TSB recently recommended that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), which is responsible for issuing commercial fishing licences in most provinces, require that any Canadian vessel that is used to commercially harvest marine resources have a current and accurate TC registration.TSB Recommendation M22-01: Requirement for Transport Canada vessel registration prior to Fisheries and Oceans Canada issuance of fishing licence (issued 18 May 2022), accessible at https://www.tsb.gc.ca/eng/recommandations-recommendations/marine/2022/rec-m2201.html (last accessed on 21 November 2024). DFO subsequently agreed to actively exchange data with TC to identify and address registration gaps between both departments and to work collaboratively with TC to explore potential solutions to mitigate the risks of unregistered vessels.
In Manitoba, DFO has transferred licensing responsibilities to the Ministry of Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resources. The TSB has not found indications of information being exchanged to ensure that commercial fishing vessels operated in Manitoba are registered with TC. The Manitoba Ministry of Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resources, DFO, and TC may wish to consider collaborating with each other to enhance the safety of fish harvesters in Manitoba through increased vessel registration. The TSB would appreciate being advised of any action that is taken in this regard. An investigator may follow up with you at a later date.
As the identified safety issue associated with these occurrences has been brought to your attention and consideration, it is anticipated that an investigation report will not be issued.
Original signed by
Lija Bickis
Acting Director, Marine Investigations
Transportation Safety Board of Canada