How much funding can be received?

Fisheries and Oceans Canada's Whalesafe Gear Adoption Fund provides structured financing to facilitate the purchase, testing, and refinement of whalesafe gear. This funding aims to support the transition to new gear and increase the domestic supply of safe fishing equipment.

Up to $20 million has been allocated to support the project objectives.
Funding is provided to both purchase equipment and support testing and refinement processes.
Financial support is extended to Canadian manufacturers to enhance the supply of commercially-ready whalesafe gear.

grant_single_labels|projects

The Whalesafe Gear Adoption Fund focuses on enhancing and promoting the use of innovative fishing gear to protect whale species. Eligible projects and activities include testing, developing, and implementing low breaking strength and on-demand gear systems across Canadian fisheries.

Testing whalesafe gear for offshore lobster fishery in high-current conditions.
Purchasing and testing whalesafe gear in snow crab fishing gear.
Increasing manufacturing capacity for rope-on-demand systems.
Purchasing and testing rope-on-demand systems and training for snow crab fishery.
Conducting at-sea trials of low breaking-strength gear modifications around Magdalen Islands.
Testing and evaluating rope-on-demand systems in lobster and crab fisheries.
Developing gear location marking systems for rope-on-demand fishing gear.
Creating a gear-lending program for trials of whalesafe gear.
Testing low breaking strength technology for multiple fisheries.
Purchasing and testing time tension line cutters for offshore lobster fishery.
Setting up manufacturing for cost-effective braided low breaking strength links.
Testing various low breaking strength technologies as whalesafe gear options.
Adapting and testing rope-on-demand buoy systems used in European fisheries.
Testing gear modification systems emphasizing ropeless technology.
Developing and commercializing innovative rope-on-demand fishing systems.
Conducting trials and demonstration sessions for gear testing and outreach.
Testing low breaking-strength rope in lobster and groundfish fisheries.
Testing Edgetech rope-on-demand system for crab and lobster fisheries.
Supporting the development of simple ropeless trap systems.
Developing low breaking strength link prototypes with adjustable thresholds.
Purchasing and testing low breaking strength and ropeless gear by Indigenous fishers.
Conducting trials with ropeless traps with inflatable lift bags and acoustic systems.
Testing whalesafe gear modifications for specific fishing conditions.
Expanding trials of rope-on-demand systems and low breaking strength devices.
Increasing manufacturing capacity for low breaking strength Rope Spring Release.
Developing new low breaking strength devices for specific fisheries.
Commercializing rope-on-demand buoy systems for fixed gear fisheries.
Testing and refining rope-on-demand units for the lobster fishery.
Identifying whalesafe gear solutions for PEI lobster fishers through cost-sharing trials.
Producing durable and commercially viable low breaking strength rope.
Testing fishing methods to reduce whale entanglement risk with innovative gear.

grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$ 500,000

Deployment of mixed on-demand gear and low breaking-strength ropes to protect marine life

$ 300,000

Purchase and testing of on-demand gear to protect marine wildlife in Newfoundland and Labrador

$ 844,235

Development of low breaking-strength ropes for crab fishing in the Gulf of St Lawrence

$ 763,836

Purchase and deployment of on-demand gear to mitigate whale entanglements in the Bay of Fundy

$ 426,478

Implementation of low breaking-strength ropes for lobster fishing on Scotian Shelf

$ 550,000

Research and development of on-demand gear for inshore fishing in the Gulf of St Lawrence

grant_single_labels|admissibility

The Whalesafe Gear Adoption Fund eligible entities include a diverse range of organizations with various structures.

Canadian not-for-profit and charitable organizations
Canadian companies, businesses, organizations, and associations
Indigenous organizations and communities
Recognized research, academic, and educational institutions

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

The Whalesafe Gear Adoption Fund (WSGF) allowed applications from a diverse range of Canadian entities committed to whale-safe fishing gear innovation and adoption.

Canadian not-for-profit and charitable organizations
Canadian companies, businesses, organizations, and associations
Indigenous organizations and communities
Recognized research, academic, and educational institutions

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

The Whalesafe Gear Adoption Fund supports projects aiming to test and implement innovative fishing technologies to prevent whale entanglement. Eligible activities focus on the evaluation and adaptation of whalesafe gear across various Canadian fisheries.

Testing of low breaking strength rope and links in deep-sea, high-current lobster fisheries by Acadia University.
Purchase and testing of different types of whalesafe gear for snow crab fishing by the Area 19 Snow Crab Association.
Developing manufacturing capacity for rope-on-demand systems by Ashored Inc.
Testing rope-on-demand systems and training for their implementation by the Association des Crabiers Gaspésiens.
At-sea trials of low breaking-strength gear by the Association of Inshore Fishermen/Association des pêcheurs côtiers des Iles.
Testing and evaluation of rope-on-demand systems by the Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation.
Developing a virtual gear location marking system to support rope-on-demand fishing gear use by the Canadian Whale Institute.
Creation of a gear-lending program for whalesafe gear by the Canadian Wildlife Federation.
Testing low breaking strength technologies in various fisheries by the Cape Breton Fish Harvesters Association.
Installing and refining time tension line cutters for lobster gear by Clearwater Seafoods.
Producing cost-effective low breaking strength links and conducting trials by CoastLine Cordage Group Ltd.
Testing low breaking strength technologies by the Coldwater Lobster Association.
Adapting and testing rope-on-demand systems in Quebec by the Conseil de la Première Nation des Innus de Nutashkuan.
Testing and adopting rope-on-demand and ropeless airbag systems by the Coopérative des capitaines-propriétaires de la Gaspésie.
Development of a rope-on-demand fishing system by Devocean.
Testing various whalesafe gear technologies by the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University.
Testing low breaking strength devices over two years by the Fundy North Fishermen's Association.
Testing low breaking-strength rope in lobster and groundfish fisheries by the Grand Manan Fishermen's Association.
Testing the Edgetech rope-on-demand system by Homarus Inc.
Developing a simple ropeless trap system by JASCO.
Developing and refining a low breaking strength link by Merinov.
Expanding low breaking strength gear trials by the Mi'gmaq Maliseet Aboriginal Fisheries Management Association.
Conducting trials of ropeless traps with inflatable lift bags by the Miawpukek First Nation.
Testing different whalesafe gear modifications by the Micmacs of Gesgapegiag.
Testing rope-on-demand systems and low breaking strength devices by the Millbrook First Nation.
Increasing manufacturing and testing capacity for low breaking strength devices by Nova Robotics.
Incorporating whalesafe technologies into commercial fisheries by Nova Robotics.
Developing a viable rope-on-demand buoy system by OCEAN-CAM.
Testing rope-on-demand units in the lobster fishery by the Passamaquoddy Recognition Group.
Identifying whalesafe gear solutions for PEI lobster fishers by the PEI Fishermen's Association.
Producing rope with specific breaking strength requirements by Polysteel Atlantic Ltd.
Testing innovative fishing methods to reduce whale entanglement risk by the Réseau des pêcheurs professionnels du sud de la Gaspésie.

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

The Whalesafe Gear Adoption Fund is accessible to companies and organizations throughout various regions in Canada. Funding supports project implementations across several Atlantic provinces and Quebec.

Nova Scotia
Newfoundland and Labrador
New Brunswick
Prince Edward Island
Quebec
Atlantic Canada (general coverage including unspecified regions)

grant_single_labels|criteria

The project must focus on the development or testing of whalesafe fishing gear.
Applicants must belong to eligible groups such as Canadian not-for-profit and charitable organizations, Canadian companies, businesses, organizations, and associations, Indigenous organizations and communities, and recognized research, academic, and educational institutions.
The proposed project must align with the objectives of the Whalesafe Gear Adoption Fund, which include promoting the use of low breaking-strength fishing gear to protect whales, ensuring the safety and effectiveness of the gear, and supporting the transition to new gear for harvesters.
Preference may be given to projects that demonstrate innovation, scalability, cost-effectiveness, and potential for broad adoption in Canadian fisheries.
Proposals should clearly outline the intended outcomes, methodology, timeline, and budget for the project.

grant_single_labels|register

Review the eligibility criteria for the Whalesafe Gear Adoption Fund.
Prepare a detailed proposal outlining your project, objectives, budget, timeline, and expected outcomes.
Submit your application through the designated process outlined by Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
Be prepared to provide additional information or attend meetings related to your application if requested.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

The Whalesafe Gear Adoption Fund seeks to increase the domestic production and availability of safe, effective whalesafe gear, promoting both environmental and economic benefits.
The program includes collaboration with Indigenous partners, NGOs, and academic experts in developing and implementing the strategy for whalesafe gear.
The program aims to open fisheries before North Atlantic right whales arrive to prevent entanglement.

grant_single_labels|documents

Whalesafe Gear Adoption Fund

Apply to this program

Enhancing Marine Safety with Whalesafe Fishing Gear Funding

The Whalesafe Gear Adoption Fund, launched by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, aims to promote the adoption of innovative fishing gear technologies that reduce whale entanglement risk. It financially supports projects that test and refine whalesafe gear, ensuring its effectiveness in protecting marine life while facilitating the transition for fish harvesters.

Detailed Insights into the Whalesafe Gear Adoption Fund and Its Implementation

The Whalesafe Gear Adoption Fund represents a vital initiative launched by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, dedicated to safeguarding marine ecosystems through innovative fishing technologies. This fund has allocated $20 million to propel the development, testing, and widespread adoption of whalesafe fishing gear across Canada's fisheries. The primary focus is on two types of gear: low breaking-strength ropes and links, which break under a predetermined force to allow entangled whales to escape, and rope-on-demand systems that remove vertical lines from the water column when not in use. These technologies significantly minimize the risk of whale entanglements, thus contributing to the preservation of vulnerable whale populations, particularly the North Atlantic right whales.

A variety of organizations have received funding to pursue these goals, ranging from academic institutions like Acadia University to commercial entities such as Clearwater Seafoods. Each recipient focuses on specific regional needs and fishing challenges, implementing innovative solutions tailored to local conditions. For example, the Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation is partnering with Ashored Inc. to evaluate the performance of rope-on-demand systems in Newfoundland and Labrador's commercial fisheries, while the Conservation groups such as the Canadian Wildlife Federation are emphasizing gear lending and community involvement to widen the adoption of safe fishing practices across the Maritimes.

This strategic initiative illustrates a comprehensive approach to addressing one of the pressing environmental issues in Canadian fisheries: marine mammal entanglement. By funding diverse projects across various regions—such as Quebec's Gulf of St. Lawrence, the Scotian Shelf, and the Bay of Fundy—the Whalesafe Gear Adoption Fund not only innovates in gear technology but also strengthens collaborations among Indigenous communities, non-governmental organizations, and private sectors.

An intrinsic aspect of these projects is real-world testing in challenging conditions to ensure gear viability and performance. Notable projects like that of Area 19 Snow Crab Association in Nova Scotia and Grand Manan Fishermen's Association in New Brunswick are focusing on adapting gear to withstand high tides and strong currents, typical of their local environments. These rigorous trials are crucial to validate the durability and efficacy of whalesafe technologies under different pressure scenarios faced by existing fisheries.

Moreover, the fund has few major strategic priorities such as supporting domestic manufacturing to increase the availability of whalesafe gear, decreasing the cost of these technologies to make them more accessible, and ensuring comprehensive training for fish harvesters to adapt seamlessly to new systems. This holistic support structure is critical for ensuring a smooth transition for fishermen to environmentally safer practices, cultivating a sustainable balance between commercial fishing operations and marine conservation.

The impact of the Whalesafe Gear Adoption Fund extends beyond mitigating immediate risks to whales; it fosters a mindset shift in the fishing industry towards sustainability and responsibility. Projects funded by this initiative aim to serve as a blueprint for similar efforts worldwide, showcasing how national industries can align economic activities with environmental stewardship effectively. By prioritizing the coexistence of marine wildlife protection with commercial fishing needs, the fund encapsulates a forward-thinking approach to marine resource management.

Ultimately, the Whalesafe Gear Adoption Fund is a significant leap forward in Canada's efforts to combat marine mammal entanglements, facilitating technological innovation, fostering environmental awareness, and strengthening community ties within the fishing sector. It embodies a model of sustainability that serves Canada's dual objectives of thriving aquatic biodiversity and resilient fishing communities, securing a healthier future for Canada's marine environments and the industries reliant upon them.