SEA-NL is pushing back on fines handed out to inshore fishermen who had their vessels modified or cut in length without advance approval.

The organization says that fisherman have been told for years by Transport Canada that they did not need architectural drawings, or advance approval to modify or cut a vessel in the under 40 feet fleet.

They say that the same fisherman are now being told they can face up to $1 million dollars in fines, or 18 months in jail.

Interim Executive Director of SEA-NL, Ryan Cleary, alludes to this being grounds for a possible class-action lawsuit.

Cleary says the move is unfair, as there are two maximum base lengths for inshore fishing vessels in Eastern Canada, 39 feet, eleven inches in Newfoundland and Labrador, and 49 feet, eleven inches in the Maritimes.

SEA-NL are calling on DFO to set a standard base length for all vessels in Atlantic Canada.