Fisheries Renewal

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is consolidating its renewal efforts on current initiatives and emerging issues to support sustainable fisheries across Canada. The Fisheries Renewal initiative will put in place new policies, tools and mechanisms to support a robust and diverse fisheries sector. Fisheries Renewal is being implemented through current, renewed and new projects that support DFO’s vision of a credible, science-based, affordable and effective fisheries program, which contributes to the sustainable wealth of Canadians.

Objectives

Long-Term Sustainability
By enabling DFO and resource users to achieve strong conservation outcomes through risk management frameworks incorporating the ecosystem and precautionary approaches.

Economic Prosperity
By aligning fisheries policies and decision-making processes to support economically prosperous fisheries for Canadians.

Improved Governance
By increasing stability, transparency and accountability in fisheries management and by promoting shared stewardship.

Sustainable Fisheries

Sustainable Fisheries Framework to incorporate precautionary and ecosystem approaches in fisheries management.

• Sustainable Fisheries Framework (April 2009)
  • Policy on Managing Bycatch (April 2013)
  • Guidance on Implementation of the Policy on Managing Bycatch (April 2013)
  • A Fishery Decision-Making Framework Incorporating the Precautionary Approach (April 2009)
  • Guidance for the Development of Rebuilding Plans under the Precautionary Approach Framework: Growing Stocks out of the Critical Zone (April 2013)
  • Managing Impacts of Fishing on Benthic Habitat, Communities and Species (April 2009)
  • Ecological Risk Assessment Framework (ERAF) for Coldwater Corals and Sponge Dominated Communities (April 2013)
  • Policy on New Fisheries for Forage Species (April 2009)
• Wild Atlantic Salmon Conservation Policy (October 2005)
• Adoption of Wild Salmon Policy Continues Pacific Fisheries Reform (June 2005)
  • Pacific Wild Salmon Policy

Sustainable Seafood Outreach Strategy

• Canada’s Sustainable Fish and Seafood

Fishing Industry Restructuring

Maintain and improve market access for Canadian fish and seafood.

• Canada’s New Government Announces a New Approach to Canadian Fisheries (April 2007)
• Helping Canada's Fishing Industry Adapt to Changing Markets (April 2007)
• Ocean to Plate Approach (April 2007)
• Renewing the Newfoundland and Labrador Fishing Industry (April 2007)

Tracking and Traceability

• European Union (EU) Regulation
• Canada’s Response to the EU’s IUU Regulations
  • Backgrounder
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Agreed Record between Canada and the EU (November 2009)
• Canada's Catch Certification Program

Licensing

Align DFO policies and decision-making processes to enable a self-reliant industry.

This webpage is updated periodically. Please ensure you have the most recent version of the documents listed below. You may contact your regional office should you have any questions.

• Issuing Licences to Companies
• Implications of the Saulnier decision for DFO Licensing Policies (December 2009)
• New Policy for Buddy-Up Arrangements: Newfoundland and Labrador (February 2009)
• Economic Viability of Canada's East Coast Lobster Fishery (February 2009)
• Pacific Region Licensing Policy Review (September 2008)
  
• Policy Guidelines for Enterprise Combining: Newfoundland and Labrador (February 2008)
  
• New Emerging Fisheries Policy (August 2007)
• Preserving the Independence of the Inshore Fleet in Canada’s Atlantic Fisheries (April 2007)
• Notice and Acknowledgement System
• Independent Panel on Access Criteria (November 2002)
• Commercial Fisheries Licensing Policy for Eastern Canada (1996)

Access and Allocation

Stable access and allocation, and transparent and predictable allocation adjustment process.

• Pacific Salmon: Moving to Share-Based Management
• Atlantic Sharing Arrangements (April 2010)
• Atlantic Sharing Arrangements Stabilized (March 2006)
• Atlantic Sharing Arrangements Stabilized (March 2005)
• Atlantic Fisheries Policy Framework Released and Sharing Arrangement Stabilized (March 24, 2004)
• An Allocation Policy for Pacific Salmon (October 1999)

Engagement and Collaboration

Foster shared stewardship by renewing engagement and co-management policies and processes.

• New Policy Approach for Collaborative Arrangements (April 2008)

Aboriginal Fisheries Renewal

Improved relationships with aboriginal groups and increase their participation in fisheries management.

• Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy (revised July 2008)
• Integrated Aboriginal Policy Framework (2007)
• Setting the Stage for an Integrated Commercial Fishery on Canada’s East Coast (November 30, 2007)
  • Atlantic Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative
• One Fishery for All of Us: Integrated Pacific Commercial Fishery (July 2007)
  • Pacific Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative

Recreational Fisheries Renewal

Improved participation and representation from the Recreational fisheries in fisheries management.

• A Vision for the Recreational Fishery in British Columbia: 2008-2012

Fisheries Act Renewal

Legislative amendments in support of Fisheries Renewal objectives.

• New Fisheries Act (November 2007)
  • First Reading of Text of Bill C-32
• Canada’s New Government to Modernize the Fisheries Act (December 2006)
  • First Reading of Text of Bill C-45

Past Renewal Initiatives

• A Positive Future for the Fisheries and Aquaculture Sectors (February 2008)
• Pacific Fisheries Reform (April 2005)
• Atlantic Fisheries Policy Framework (March 2004)
  • Atlantic Fisheries Policy Review (2001-2004)

Other Links

• Protecting fragile marine areas and species on the ocean bottom
• Budget 2010
• Sustainable Development Strategy
• Sustainable Aquaculture Development (August 2008)