FEDERAL – The Fishing Vessel Safety Regulations officially took effect on July 13 as scheduled, implementing new requirements for small fishing boats in Canada. Federal Transport Minister Marc Garneau announced in Gatineau, Que. that day that the Regulations were in force, according to a government news release. The new rules, which replace the previous Small Fishing Vessel Inspection Regulations, apply to fishing vessels measuring less than 24.4 metres long and with less than 150 gross tonnage; they set new legal standards for safety equipment, written safety procedures and vessel stability. “Despite the combined efforts of governments and industry, the number of accidents on commercial fishing vessels remains unacceptably high,” Garneau said in a press statement. “The new Fishing Vessel Safety Regulations will enhance safety by helping to address the primary causes of fatalities on fishing vessels.” The new regulations were first announced on July 13 of last year, allowing a full year for fishers and owners of fishing boats to become familiar with the new rules and adapt to them (COHSN, July 19). The Fishing Vessel Safety Regulations are available online at http://canadagazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2016/2016-07-13/html/sor-dors163-eng.php.