The policy states that, in exceptional cases where no market exists for the resource, an exploratory fishing licence may be issued immediately. The policy emphasizes the need to take a precautionary approach, collect scientific data and begin with experimental fishing.
In this case, Fisheries and Oceans Canada decided to open approximately 12,000 new fishing traps between the Côte‑Nord and the Îles‑de‑la‑Madeleine, without any scientific data to support this decision.