See all Funding Programs

Overview

The Commercial Fishery Support Program (CFSP) aims to contribute to the diversification of the NWT economy, create new business opportunities and generate new jobs. The program will support the strategic expansion and modernization of commercial fisheries in the NWT, increasing participation in the sector and increase fish production volume.

Available Funding

The CFSP has three priority streams for successful applicants:

1. Responsive Incentives and Supports

• Fuel rebate – This rebate is based on volume of fish delivered domestically and to the Hay River fish processing plant. The scope of this sector support will be determined and announced seasonally. All commercial fishers will be paid 0.10/lb based on Hay River Plant deliveries, or receipts provided to the ITI regional office. For Hay River Fish Plant deliveries, the rebate is added to the fisher’s regular payments by the plant. 
• Volume incentive - This incentive is based on delivery to the Hay River fish processing plant. Volume incentive - the scope of this sector support will be reviewed seasonally and may be revised. This production-based financial bonus is used to encourage fishers to meet benchmark target volumes.  This incentive would be paid at the end each commercial fishing season.
  
  The incentive formula for the 2026 summer season is:

• 50,000 lbs - $2,500 at end of season
• 75,000 lbs - $5,000 at end of season
• 100,000 lbs - $10,000 at end of season
• 150,000 lbs - $15,000 at end of season

The once-annual volume incentive does not limit fishers from access other existing ITI funding programs or rebates.

• Equipment Support – This funding provides successful applicants financial support of up to $20,000 to offset costs of equipment and supplies such as:
  • Boats, motors, nets, winter equipment, etc.
  • Water safety equipment
  • Equipment repair expenses

Fishers can receive 70% of eligible costs to a maximum of $20,000 per applicant per year. 

Applicants may be approved and advanced Equipment Support funding for the current season conditional on delivering a minimum of 5,000lbs of fish to the Hay River Fish Processing Plant within the same funding year (aggregated across summer and winter seasons). Proof of delivery is required from the plant.

If the 5,000 lb minimum is not met by the end of the funding year, the recipient will be invoiced for the full amount advanced under Equipment Support and will be ineligible for any CFSP funding until the outstanding balance is repaid in full.

2. Increasing Sector Participation

• Out of Territory Recruitment Incentive - To encourage and support commercial fishers from outside the NWT to participate in the NWT sector. These participants in the NWT sector can receive up to $20,000 in funding under the CFSP to off-set costs associated with their engagement in the NWT commercial fishery. Commercial fishers will be paid at 0.20/lb based on volumes delivered to the Hay River fish processing plant.
• Emerging NWT Commercial Fishers - this funding is intended to support recently established NWT commercial fishers (within 2 years of starting their operation) to improve the profitability of their commercial fisheries businesses. These emerging NWT commercial fishers can receive up to $20,000 in funding under the CFSP to off-set costs associated with building profitable and sustainable businesses. Emerging commercial fishers will be paid at 0.20/lb based on volumes delivered to the Hay River fish processing plant.

3. Capacity Building

A) Specialized training including costs associated with workshops, online courses, and professional development

B) Staff training, internship support or mentorship

• Staff training and development:
  • 75% of project costs to a maximum of $7,500 per worker (in-kind expenses are not eligible)
• Internship:
  • Up to 75% of the intern wages to a maximum of $7,500 per intern (can include in-kind wage expenses such as room and board for the intern- funding will only be provided for actual expenses paid)
• Mentorship:

Up to 75% of expenses incurred for the mentorship to a maximum of $7,500

Deadline

Applications are accepted until March 31 or until the program budget has been allocated.

Eligibility

Eligibility varies according to the CFSP priority stream and emergent initiatives.

NWT residency is a requirement for all CFSP funding streams, except for the Out of Territory Recruitment Incentive.

Proof of six months Northwest Territories residency is required for all applications (valid forms of proof include Northwest Territories health care card, NWT rental agreement, or utility bills). NWT drivers license is not a valid form of proof of residency.

The following recipient types have been identified as eligible for funding under the CFSP:

• Commercial Fisher
• NWT Industry Organization
• NWT Indigenous Government or Organization

Commercial fishers must hold:

• a valid commercial fishing license and
• vessel certificates if applicable

How to apply

Complete an application form.

The following information will be needed to complete the application form:

• Applicant or business information and licensing
• Project details
• Estimate costs and sources of funding

For more information, read the Application Guidelines and

go to: 

For questions, please contact the appropriate ITI contact listed below:

Beaufort Delta Region:

• 867-678-8023
• Beaufort_Delta_ITI@gov.nt.ca(link sends e-mail)

Deh Cho Region:

• 867-695-7500
• Dehcho_ITI@gov.nt.ca(link sends e-mail)

Sahtu Region:

• 867-587-7171 ext. 1001
• Sahtu_ITI@gov.nt.ca(link sends e-mail)

South Slave Region:

• 867-872-8046
• South_Slave_ITI@gov.nt.ca(link sends e-mail)

North Slave Region:

• 867-767-9212 (Yellowknife)
• 867-446-1049 (Behchokǫ̀)
• North_Slave_ITI@gov.nt.ca