Notice

On June 29, 2012, the Fisheries Act was amended. Policy and regulations are now being developed to support the new fisheries protection provisions of the Act (which are not yet in force). The existing guidance and policies continue to apply. For more information, see Changes to the Fisheries Act.

April 1, 2011 to March 31, 2012

DISCLAIMER

As part of the Jobs, Growth and Long-term Prosperity Act (Bill C-38), which received Royal Assent on June 29, 2012, amendments were made to the Habitat Protection and Pollution Prevention Provisions of the Fisheries Act. As a result, starting in Fiscal Year 2012-2013, this Annual Report to Parliament will reflect the amendments that come into force and their related policy changes.

Table of Contents

Abstract

List of Acronyms and Abbreviations

1.0 Executive Summary

• 1.1 Administration and Enforcement of the Fish Habitat Protection Provisions of the Fisheries Act
  • 1.1.1 Review of Development Proposals (Referrals)
  • 1.1.2 Compliance and Enforcement
• 1.2 Administration and Enforcement of the Pollution Prevention Provisions of the Fisheries Act

2.0 The Policy and Legislative Setting

• 2.1 Purpose of Annual Report
• 2.2 Legislative Basis for the Conservation and Protection of Fish Habitat
• 2.3 Policy for the Management of Fish Habitat
• 2.4 National Habitat Management Program

3.0 Administration and Enforcement of the Fish Habitat Protection Provisions of the Fisheries Act

• 3.1 Benefit for Canadians: Healthy and Productive Aquatic Ecosystems
• 3.2 Administration of the Fish Habitat Protection Provisions of the Fisheries Act
  • 3.2.1 Overview
  • 3.2.2 Review of Development Proposals (Referrals)
  • 3.2.3 Advice Provided and Authorizations Issued
  • 3.2.4 Notifications and Use of Regulatory Streamlining Tools
• 3.3. Compliance and Enforcement of the Fish Habitat Protection Provisions of the Fisheries Act
• 3.4 Support of Ecosystems and Oceans Science Sector

4.0 Administration and Enforcement of the Pollution Prevention Provisions of the Fisheries Act

• 4.1 General Reviews and Improvements
• 4.2 Compliance Promotion for General Prohibition of Releases of Deleterious Substances to Waters Frequented by Fish
• 4.3 Regulations
  • 4.3.1 Pulp and Paper
  • 4.3.2 Metal Mines
  • 4.3.3 Notification
  • 4.3.4 Wastewater
  • 4.3.5 Other Regulations and Guidelines
• 4.4 Water Quality Monitoring - Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program
• 4.5 Enforcement Activities and Measures
  • 4.5.1 Summary of Enforcement Activities
  • 4.5.2 Enforcement Highlights
• 4.6 Environmental Emergencies Program
• 4.7 Agreements with Provinces and Territories
  • 4.7.1 Administrative agreements
  • 4.7.2 Environmental Occurrences Notification Agreements

List of Tables

Table 1: Summary of Habitat Referrals by Work Category

Table 2: Advice Provided and Authorizations Issued

Table 3: Notifications of use of Class Authorizations and Operational Statements

Table 4: Summary of DFO Habitat Enforcement Activities

Table 5: Convictions Reported under the Habitat Protection Provisions of the Fisheries Act

Table 6: EC Enforcement Activities and Measures Carried Out under the Fisheries Act

Table 7: Investigation Breakdown

List of Figures

Figure 1: Referrals Received by Region, 2007-2008 to 2011-2012

Figure 2: Percent of Referrals by Region, 2011-2012

Figure 3: Advice Provided by Region, 2007-2008 to 2011-2012

Figure 4: Authorizations Issued by Region, 2007-2008 to 2011-2012

Figure 5: Allocation of compliance effort by habitat-related activity

---

Published by:

Communications Branch
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0E6

DFO/2012-1844

© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada 2012

This printed version:
Cat. No. Fs1-57/2012
ISSN 1915-0008

PDF version:
Cat. No. Fs1-57/2012E-PDF
ISSN 1910-2356

Correct citation for this publication:
Fisheries and Oceans Canada. 2012 Annual Report to Parliament on the Administration and Enforcement of the Fish Habitat Protection and Pollution Prevention Provisions of the Fisheries Act. April 1, 2011 to March 31, 2012: iv + 38 p.

Internet site: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/habitat/role/141/reports-rapports/index-eng.htm