A Fish Collection Permit is a document that authorizes an organization or individuals to capture and/or collect fish specimens for scientific and other non-recreational purposes. It is not used for general recreational angling or for commercial harvest of fish. This page is provided to
assist in the application processs.
Basic Eligibility Criteria
Please see Application Guidelines and also Appendix A of the Fish Collection Permit application[PDF 257KB] for further details before making application
Steps to Obtaining a NEW Fish Collection Permit
Review the basic eligibility criteria, to ensure your company can meet the requirements.
The following is required in order to proceed with the permitting process:
A cheque for $25 (per activity – as listed in the Application Guidelines outlined in the application form above), made payable to the B.C. Minister of Finance.
Completed applications, accompanied by fees and supporting documents can be submitted to the Permit and Authorization Service Bureau via:
Victoria: 952-0932
Toll Free in B.C.: 1-866-433-7272 (1-866-433-PASB)
Outside of B.C.: 1-250-952-0932
And press 1 and 2 to bypass the telephone tree
Fax: 250-952-4346
Steps to AMEND your Fish Collection Permit
The following is required in order to proceed with the permitting process:
Amendments will only be made for minor changes to your fish collection permit. A minor change is a change in employee or addition of an employee. Please note for all other amendments to your permit e.g. addition of water(s), extension in time periods or a sampling gear change a new permit
must be applied for with applicable fees.
All amendments of Scientific Fish Collection Permits have a fee of $25.00.
Please contact permit bureau for amendments at the number below.
Victoria: 952-0932
Toll Free in B.C.: 1-866-433-7272 (1-866-433-PASB)
Outside of B.C.: 1-250-952-0932
And press 1 and 2 to bypass the telephone tree
Fax: 250-952-4346
Reporting Requirements
The permittee shall, within 90 days of the expiry of this permit, submit to the Permit and Authorization Service Bureau a summary report of collecting activities. Interim reports may also be required and shall be submitted as required by the permit issuer. All submissions must be filed
electronically to: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/fish_data_sub/. PDF Reports, PDF Maps and sampling data submitted in the Field Data Information System (FDIS for short) are not mandatory but are encouraged when available.
Prior notification of submission, or questions regarding data report standards can be made to:
fishdatasub@gov.bc.ca.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gill netting (GN) a lethal sampling technique?
Yes, please note when applying for Gill netting (GN) on your fish collection permit it is considered lethal sampling and you must complete 2.6 of the lethal sampling program description.
If I am applying for both a research project and an inventory project, is the fee $25 for each activity?
Yes, each activity as outlined under “Application Guidelines for Scientific Fish Collection Permits” is a separate fee of $25. Please note list includes 5 different examples of activities that can be applied for.