When it comes to ELOGs you can choose whichever provider you prefer
With more ELOG mandates coming into effect this year, one question is coming up more frequently:
Do I have to use a specific ELOG provider?
The answer is no. You get to choose!
Under DFO regulations, harvesters can use any DFO-qualified ELOG provider. You are not required to use an app associated with your association or other organization. You can choose the app that best suits your day-to-day conditions and workflow.
What to look for in an ELOG
As more providers and fisheries become available, it’s always useful to compare options carefully. A few factors tend to make the biggest difference over a season:
- Reliability in real conditions (on deck, at sea, and offline)
- Efficiency at dockside
- Clear, compliant reporting
- Access to support when needed
Experience is also relevant. As ELOG adoption enters a broader phase, some providers have been operating across multiple fisheries and regions for several seasons, while others are newer to ELOGs.
If you’re weighing your options, try a free trial of different ELOGs to get a feeling for what works best for you.
What do I have to fill in on my ELOG?
DFO requires certain fields to be filled out. You don’t need to fill in every section, but only those that DFO requires you to fill out under your terms of license. To help you, Vericatch marks required entries with an ‘*’. The others you can fill in or leave blank – just like with ELOGs, you can choose. If you have any doubt, check your DFO license terms.
Where Vericatch fits
Vericatch was Canada’s first nationally DFO-qualified ELOG and remains the country’s leading independent provider.
Harvesters choose Vericatch because it:
- Offers a stable native mobile app
- Works offline, including at sea
- Generates instant dockside-ready PDFs
- It is built and supported by in-house dedicated ELOG specialists
- Has 7-day-a-week in-season support
Vericatch is also currently the only provider of Canadian scallop ELOGs qualified by DFO.
The bottom line
Harvesters can choose the ELOG provider that works best for them. Vericatch is the most popular ELOG in Canada and is used by more harvesters than any other.
Taking the time to review available options, ask questions, and consider how a system performs over a full season can help ensure you choose the ELOG that’s the best fit for you (and don’t believe anyone who tells you that you “have” to use a certain ELOG).
