Newsletter - December, 2011

(PDF version)

Catch Certification Program Newsletter

Urgent Requests After Business Hours

In order to ensure high quality services provided during our on-call periods, after regular business hours on weekdays, we strongly encourage you to mark your urgent requests sent to the CCO-BCC_INFO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca inbox with the word “URGENT” in the subject line. This will ensure that your inquiries are addressed in a timely manner.

Northern Pacific Spiny Dogfish

Following the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification of North Pacific Spiny Dogfish, all export documentation for that species needs to include the following species name: Squalus suckleyi (North Pacific Spiny Dogfish) - TSN 160617. The species used to be referred to as Squalus acanthias (Spiny Dogfish) -TSN 160620. This name should still be used when exporting Spiny Dogfish caught in Atlantic waters.

The Fisheries Certificate System, starting December 22, 2011, will include the scientific name on printed catch certificates. The change to the common name (i.e. North Pacific) will be applied in March 2012. In the meantime, exports of North Pacific Spiny Dogfish will be issued a manual certificate. Please contact the Operations Centre for assistance.

Electronic Signatures and Seals

The Catch Certification Program will now require all companies registered in the Fisheries Certificate System to upload an electronic signature to their profile. This will ensure that documentation is not questioned when arriving in the European Union and ultimately ensure a successful delivery. We also encourage you to upload your company seal, if applicable. For help setting up the electronic signature and seal, please contact the Operations Centre.

Consultations

The Catch Certification Program will be conducting consultations with clients to discuss feedback received through the client satisfaction survey and overall program and Fisheries Certificate System improvements.

Consultations on the west coast will take place in Vancouver, British Columbia during the week of January 9, 2012. Details and invitations will be sent shortly.

Consultations on the east coast will take place in the spring of 2012. Details will be provided in the New Year.

REMINDER: Groupings Renewal

To ensure that all grouping requests are reviewed and approved in time to meet your operational requirements, we would like to remind you to submit your requests for grouping renewal or new groupings at least two (2) weeks in advance. The service standard for groupings is ten (10) business days.

Reminder: Fisheries Certificate System Notifications

To reduce the amount of e-mail notifications sent by the Fisheries Certificate System, you can modify your profile to opt out of e-mail notification. The Applicant Manager is the only user that is permitted to make these changes. Please remember that users within FCS must be registered to use the system. Please see below for instructions.

Step 1: Opening Applicants/Exporters

1. Login to FCS using your username and password
2. Go to ‘Applicants/Exporters’ then click ‘Applicant Users’
3. Select the user you want to modify by clicking on their name. When the name is highlighted in blue, click the ‘Edit’ button

Step 2: Edit E-mail Notification Options

1. Once you have selected the user you want to edit, scroll down to the bottom of the page. There you will see a section titled - “DO NOT deliver the following notification emails:”
2. This section allows you to filter what e-mails you receive. When you check a box it disables that particular notification.
3. Once you have checked all the appropriate box(es) to disable the notifications, proceed to click ’Save and Return’

At a later date if the user decides they would like to receive the notification(s) that was blocked, follow the above steps, but instead of checking the box you would uncheck the box, then ‘Save and Return’.

If you require additional assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the Operations Centre.

FCS Update - December 21, 2011

Based on client feedback and in an effort to make the Fisheries Certificate System easier and quicker for you to use, we have implemented improvements to the catch certificate application process that will take effect on Wednesday, December 21, 2011. Below is a summary of the improvements.

Improved Layout for Catch Certificate Applications

Here is a screen capture of the new layout:

Since you are required to complete the Import tab, we have removed the need for you to enter the Importer's information on the Detail tab in the case of an indirect export. If your export is indirect (not being sent direct to the EU), in the Detail tab you are required to check "No" for the question "Is the consignment intended for direct export to the European Community".

We have also removed the transhipment and re-export tabs. These tabs will become available if you check the "Yes" button for "Is this a transhipment?" or "Is the consignment intended for re-export from the European Community?"

Lookup Windows

We have removed many of the Lookup windows in an effort to speed up the application process for clients. Most Lookup windows have been replaced with drop-down lists that will allow you to quickly make a selection.

Chat Function

You will now be able to participate in a live chat (instant messaging) session with a certification officer in FCS. To initiate a live chat session log into FCS and click the "Live Chat" button at the top right of your screen. For more information on how to use the chat function, please view check the help pages within FCS.

Live chat will be available to all clients during regular CCP: OC business hours.