Sustainable Fisheries Framework Work Plan for Fiscal 2025-2026
Introduction
The following tables describe work activities related to the implementation of the Sustainable Fisheries Framework to be undertaken in 2025-2026.
Section 1: Precautionary Approach Reference Points and Harvest Control Rules
(A) Precautionary Approach Limit Reference Points (LRP)
| # | Region | Fish Stock | Expected Date of Completion (Fiscal Year) | Description of Activity in 2025-2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newfoundland and Labrador | Herring- 4R (Fall Spawner) | By end of 2025-2026 | Will complete development of LRP in 2025-2026. |
| 2 | Newfoundland and Labrador | Herring- 4R (Spring Spawner) | By end of 2025-2026 | Will complete development of LRP in 2025-2026. |
| 3 | Maritimes | Haddock – 4X5Y** | By end of 2025-2026 | Carry forward from 2024-2025. Will complete development of LRP in 2025-2026. |
| 4 | Maritimes | Atlantic Cod 5ZjM | By end of 2025-2026 | Carry forward from 2024-2025. Will complete development of LRP in 2025-2026. |
| 5 | Quebec | Snow Crab Coastal – CFA 12C, 15 and 16A | By end of 2025-2026 | Carry forward from 2024-2025. Will complete development of LRP in 2025-2026. |
| 6 | Quebec | Soft-shell Clam (Common Clam) - Area 1 | By end of 2025-2026 | Will complete development of LRP in 2025-2026. |
| 7 | Arctic | Narwhal – Northern Hudson Bay | By end of 2025-2026 | Will complete development of LRP in 2025-2026. |
| 8 | Arctic | Lake Trout – Great Slave Lake | By end of 2025-2026 | Carry forward from 2024-2025. Will complete development of LRP in 2025-2026. |
| 9 | Pacific | Chinook Salmon – Yukon** | By end of 2025-2026 | Will complete development of LRP in 2025-2026. |
| 10 | Pacific | Sockeye Salmon – Stikine** | By end of 2025-2026 | Will complete development of LRP in 2025-2026. |
| 11 | Pacific | Sockeye Salmon – West Coast Vancouver Island Barkley Sound** | By end of 2025-2026 | Will complete development of LRP in 2025-2026. |
| 12 | Pacific | Sockeye Salmon – Fraser (Early Stuart)** | By end of 2025-2026 | Will complete development of LRP in 2025-2026. |
| # | Region | Fish Stock | Expected Date of Completion (Fiscal Year) | Description of Activity in 2025-2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newfoundland and Labrador | Herring - 3KLPs | By end of 2026-2027 | Will continue development of LRP in 2025-2026. |
| 2 | Newfoundland and Labrador | Capelin – 4RST | TBD | Will continue development of LRP in 2025-2026. |
| 3 | Maritimes | Eastern Scotian Shelf Shrimp (SFA 13-15) | By end of 2025-2026 | Will continue update of LRP in 2025-2026. |
| 4 | Quebec | Lobster – LFA 17 | TBD | Will continue development of LRP in 2025-2026. |
| 5 | Quebec | Snow Crab Coastal – CFA 13, 14, 16, 17 | By end of 2026-2027 | Will continue development of LRP in 2025-2026. |
| 6 | Arctic | Dolly Varden – Big Fish River | By end of 2026-2027 | Will continue development of LRP in 2025-2026. |
| # | Region | Fish Stock | Expected Date of Completion (Fiscal Year) | Description of Activity in 2025-2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arctic | Arctic Char – Paliryuak (Surrey) | By end of 2028-2029 | Will initiate LRP development in 2025-2026. |
| 2 | Arctic | Arctic Char – Ekalluktok (Ekalluk) | By end of 2028-2029 | Will initiate LRP development in 2025-2026. |
| 3 | Arctic | Atlantic Walrus - Foxe Basin (Central Arctic) | By end of 2027-2028 | Will initiate LRP development in 2025-2026. |
| 4 | Arctic | Atlantic Walrus - Hudson Bay-Davis Strait (Central Arctic) | By end of 2027-2028 | Will initiate LRP development in 2025-2026. |
| 5 | Pacific | Shrimp | By end of 2027-2028 | Will initiate LRP revision in 2025-2026. |
| 6 | Pacific | Dungeness Crab | By end of 2026-2027 | Will initiate LRP development in 2025-2026. |
(B) Precautionary Approach Upper Stock Reference Points (USR)
| # | Region | Fish Stock | Expected Date of Completion (Fiscal Year) | Description of Activity in 2025-2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newfoundland and Labrador | Atlantic Cod – 2J3KL* (Northern Cod) | By end of 2025-2026 | Will complete development of USR in 2025-2026. |
| 2 | Newfoundland and Labrador | Atlantic Cod – 3Ps* | By end of 2025-2026 | Will complete development of USR in 2025-2026. |
| 3 | Newfoundland and Labrador | Capelin – 2J3KL | By end of 2025-2026 | Will complete development of USR in 2025-2026. |
| 4 | Maritimes | Sea Scallop - Offshore SFA 26 (German Bank and Browns Bank) | By end of 2025-2026 | Carry forward from 2024-2025. Will complete development of USR in 2025-2026. |
| 5 | Maritimes | Haddock – 4X5Y** | TBD / By end of 2025-2026 | Carry forward from 2024-2025. Will complete development of USR in 2025-2026. |
| 6 | Maritimes | Atlantic Cod 5ZjM | TBD / By end of 2025-2026 | Carry forward from 2024-2025. Will complete development of USR in 2025-2026. |
| 7 | Quebec | Snow Crab Coastal – CFA 12C, 15, 16A | By end of 2025-2026 | Will complete development of USR in 2025-2026. |
| 8 | NCR | Northern Stock Assessment Region Northern shrimp |
By end of 2025-2026 | Will complete development of USR in 2025-2026. |
| 9 | NCR | Southern Stock Assessment Region Northern shrimp |
By end of 2025-2026 | Will complete development of USR in 2025-2026. |
| # | Region | Fish Stock | Expected Date of Completion (Fiscal Year) | Description of Activity in 2025-2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maritimes | Gaspereau – Saint John River (Upstream of Mactaquac Dam) | TBD | Will continue development of USR in 2025-2026. |
| 2 | Maritimes | Lobster - LFA 35 | TBD | Will continue development of USR in 2025-2026. |
| 3 | Maritimes | Lobster - LFA 36 | TBD | Will continue development of USR in 2025-2026. |
| 4 | Maritimes | Lobster - LFA 38 | TBD | Will continue development of USR in 2025-2026. |
| 5 | Maritimes | Eastern Scotian Shelf Shrimp (SFA 13-15) | TBD | Will continue development of USR in 2025-2026. |
| 6 | Gulf | Striped Bass – Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence | By end of 2025-2026 | Will continue development of USR in 2025-2026. |
| 7 | Quebec and Gulf | Atlantic Halibut - 4RST** | TBD | Will continue development of USR in 2025-2026. |
| 8 | Quebec | Lobster – LFA 17 | TBD | Will continue development of USR in 2025-2026. |
| 9 | Quebec | Soft-shell Clam (Common Clam) - Area 1 | TBD | Will continue development of USR in 2025-2026. |
| 10 | Quebec | Snow Crab Coastal – CFA 13, 14, 16 and 17 | By end of 2026-2027 | Will continue development of USR in 2025-2026. |
| # | Region | Fish Stock | Expected Date of Completion (Fiscal Year) | Description of Activity in 2024-2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pacific | Dungeness Crab | By the end of 2026-2027 | Will initiate USR development in 2025-2026. |
| 2 | Pacific | Shrimp | By the end of 2027-2028 | Will initiate USR development in 2025-2026. |
(C) Precautionary Approach Harvest Control Rules (HCR)
| # | Region | Fish Stock | Expected Date of Completion (Fiscal Year) | Description of Activity in 2025-2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newfoundland and Labrador | Capelin - 2J3KL** | By end of 2025-2026 | Will complete development of HCR in 2025-2026. |
| 2 | Maritimes | Sea Scallop - Offshore SFA 26 (German Bank and Browns Bank) | By end of 2025-2026 | Will complete development of HCR in 2025-2026. |
| 3 | Maritimes | Haddock - 4X5Y** | By end of 2025-2026 | Carry forward from 2024-2025. Will complete development of HCR in 2025-2026. |
| 4 | Pacific | Pacific Herring – Prince Rupert District | By end of 2025-2026 | Will complete revision of HCR in 2025-2026. |
| 5 | Quebec | Northern Shrimp – Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawerence – Areas 8, 9, 10 and 12 | By end of 2025-2026 | Will complete revision of HCR in 2025-2026. |
| # | Region | Fish Stock | Expected Date of Completion (Fiscal Year) | Description of Activity in 2025-2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gulf | Striped Bass – Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence | By the end of 2025-2026 | Will continue development of HCR in 2025-2026. |
| 2 | Gulf | Atlantic Herring - 4T (Fall Spawner)** | TBD | Will continue development of HCR in 2025-2026. |
| 3 | Gulf | Atlantic Herring - 4T (Spring Spawner)* | TBD | Will continue development of HCR in 2025-2026. |
| 4 | Quebec | Snow Crab Coastal – CFA 12A**, 12B**, 12C, 13, 14, 15, 16, 16A, 17 | TBD | Will continue development of HCR in 2025-2026. |
| 5 | Pacific | Pacific Herring – West Coast Vancouver Island | TBD | Will continue revision of HCR in 2025-2026. |
| 6 | Pacific | Pacific Herring – Central Coast | TBD | Will continue revision of HCR in 2025-2026. |
| # | Region | Fish Stock | Expected Date of Completion (Fiscal Year) | Description of Activity in 2025-2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Quebec | Sea scallop – SFA 20** | TBD | Will initiate revision of HCR in 2025-2026. |
| 2 | NCR | Unit 1 Redfish | TBD | Will begin development of HCR in 2025-2026. |
Section 2: Fish Stock Rebuilding Plans
(A) 18 Priority Fish Stocks
| No | Region | Fish Stock | Expected Date of Completion (Fiscal Year) | Description of Activity in 2025-2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Quebec | Iceland Scallop - SFA 16EF | TBD | Continue preliminary work to develop a rebuilding plan in 2025-2026. |
| 2 | Pacific | Chinook Salmon – West Coast of Vancouver Island* | By middle of 2025-2026 | Rebuilding plan approved and being prepared for posting (accessibility edits underway), expected to be published in 2025. |
| 3 | Pacific | Chinook Salmon – Okanagan | By end of 2024-2025 | Rebuilding plan was approved by the Minister and has been posted publicly on the DFO website. |
(B) Other Stock Rebuilding Plans
| # | Region | Fish Stock | Expected Date of Completion (Fiscal Year) | Description of Activity in 2025-2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maritimes | Herring – Southwest Nova Scotia/Bay of Fundy** | TBD | Will continue development of the new FSP-compliant rebuilding plan to meet obligations and timelines once the stock is listed in Batch 2. |
| 2 | Maritimes | Cod 4x5Y** | TBD | UPDATE of Rebuilding plan – Batch 2. |
| 3 | Gulf | Atlantic Herring – 4T (Fall Spawner)** | TBD | Will continue the development of a rebuilding plan in 2025-2026. |
| 4 | Gulf | Yellowtail Flounder 4T* | TBD | Will continue the development of a rebuilding plan in 2025-2026. |
| 5 | Quebec | Gulf of St. Lawrence Northern Shrimp - SFA 8, 9, 10* | By end of 2025-2026 | Will complete development of the rebuilding plan in 2025-2026. |
| 6 | Quebec | Snow Crab – CFA 12B** | TBD | Continue preliminary work to develop a rebuilding plan in 2025-2026. |
| 7 | Pacific | Coho Salmon – Interior Fraser* | By end of 2024-2025 | Precautionary Approach summary document included in 2024-2025 Salmon IFMP in June 2024. |
| 8 | Pacific | Chinook Salmon – Yukon** | TBD | Will continue the development of a rebuilding plan in 2025-2026 |
| 9 | Pacific | Pacific Razor Clam | By the end of 2025-2026 | DFO and the Council of the Haida Nation are developing a rebuilding plan for Pacific Razor Clam on Haida Gwaii. Drafting began in 2023/24. Plan is expected to be finalized in 2025-2026. |
| 10 | NCR | Mackerel (Atlantic) NAFO 3-4* | Completed in 2019-2020. Revised and re-published in September 2024. A Periodic Review, as outlined in the rebuilding plan, will be initiated in 2025-2026. An update of the rebuilding plan will occur during the periodic review process. Completion of updated RP in 2026-2027. |
Section 3: Integrated Fisheries Management Plans
| # | Region | Fish Stock | Expected Date of Completion (Fiscal Year) | Description of Activity in 2025-2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newfoundland and Labrador | Toad crab | By end of 2025-2026 | Carry forward from 2024-2025. Will complete IFMP development in 2025-2026. |
| 2 | Newfoundland and Labrador | Trout | By end of 2025-2026 | Carry forward from 2024-2025. Will complete IFMP development in 2025-2026. |
| 3 | Newfoundland and Labrador | Snow crab - 2HJ, 3KLNOP and 4R** | By end of 2025-2026 | Carry forward from 2024-2025. Will complete IFMP development in 2025-2026. |
| 4 | Newfoundland and Labrador | American Lobster - LFA 3-14c | By end of 2025-2026 | Carry forward from 2024-2025. Will complete IFMP development in 2025-2026. |
| 5 | Newfoundland and Labrador | 2+3KLMNO Groundfish | By end of 2025-2026 | Will complete IFMP update in 2025-2026. |
| 6 | Newfoundland and Labrador | 3Ps Sea Cucumber | By end of 2025-2026 | Will complete IFMP update in 2025-2026. |
| 7 | Maritimes | Gaspereau | By end of March 2025-2026 | Will complete IFMP update in 2025-2026. |
| 8 | Maritimes | Groundfish (sections as appropriate) | By end of March 2026 | Will complete update of the IFMP in 2025-2026. |
| 9 | Maritimes | Eastern Scotian Shelf Shrimp (SFA 13-15) | By end of 2025-2026 | Will continue update of the IFMP in 2025-2026. |
| 10 | Gulf | Lobster – Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (LFA 23, 24, 25, 26A and 26B)** | By end of 2025-2026 | Carry forward from 2024-2025. Will post updated IFMP online in 2025-2026. |
| 11 | Gulf | Snow Crab (CFA 12, 12E, 12F and 19*) | By end of 2025-2026 | Carry forward from 2024-2025. Will post updated IFMP online in 2025-2026. |
| 12 | Gulf | Rock Crab (LFA 23, 24, 25, 26A and 26B) | By end of 2025-2026 | Carry forward from 2024-2025. Will post updated IFMP online in 2025-2026. |
| 13 | Gulf | Sea Scallop – Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (SFA 21a, b, c, 22, 23 and 24) | By end of 2025-2026 | Carry forward from 2024-2025. Will post updated IFMP online in 2025-2026. |
| 14 | Gulf | Gulf of St. Lawrence Groundfish IFMP* (3Pn, 4Vn and 4RST) | By end of 2025-2026 | Carry forward from 2024-2025. Will post updated IFMP online in 2025-2026. |
| 15 | Gulf | Atlantic Salmon (SFA 15, 16, 17 and 18) | By end of 2025-2026 | Carry forward from 2024-2025. Will post updated IFMP online in 2025-2026. |
| 16 | Gulf | Atlantic Herring 4T* | By end of 2025-2026 | Carry forward from 2024-2025. Will post updated IFMP online in 2025-2026. |
| 17 | Quebec | Scallop – SFA 20** | By end of 2025-2026 | Will post the IFMP online in 2025-2026. |
| 18 | Quebec | Scallop (except SFA 20**) | TBD | Will continue IFMP development in 2025-2026. |
| 19 | Quebec | Gulf of St. Lawrence Northern Shrimp – SFA 8, 9, 10 and 12* | By end of 2025-2026 | Will continue IFMP update in 2025-2026 in parallel of the rebuilding plan development. |
| 20 | Quebec | Lobster – LFA 19 to 21* | By end of 2025-2026 | Will complete update IFMP in 2025-2026. |
| 21 | Quebec | Lobster – LFA 22** | By end of 2025-2026 | Will post the IFMP online in 2025-2026. |
| 22 | Quebec | Greenland halibut – 4RST** | By end of 2025-2026 | Will post the IFMP online in 2025-2026. |
| 23 | Quebec | Sea cucumber – B, C and 3 | TBD | Will continue IFMP development in 2025-2026. |
| 24 | Arctic | Finfish – Great Slave Lake (Lake Trout and Lake Whitefish) | By end of 2027-2028 | Will continue IFMP development in 2025-2026. |
| 25 | Arctic | Narwhal – Nunavut Settlement Area | By end of 2026-2027 | Carry forward from 2024-2025. Will continue IFMP update in 2025-2026. |
| 26 | Arctic | Bowhead – Eastern Canada, Western Greenland | By end of 2026-2027 | Carry forward from 2024-2025. Will continue IFMP update in 2025-2026. |
| 27 | NCR | Unit 1 Redfish | TBD | Will begin developing the IFMP in 2025-2026. |
| 28 | NCR | Atlantic Bluefin Tuna | By the end of 2025-2026 | Carry forward from 2024-2025. Will post IFMP online in 2025-2026. |
| 29 | NCR | Mackerel (Atlantic) NAFO 3-4* | By the end of 2025-2026 | Will update IFMP in 2025-2026. |
Section 4: Implementation of the Fishery Monitoring Policy
| # | Region | Fish Stock | Expected Date of Completion (Fiscal Year) | Description of Activity in 2025-2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newfoundland and Labrador | Atlantic Cod -2J3KL* (Northern Cod) | By end of 2025-2026 | Continue to implement Fishery Monitoring Policy in 2025-2026. |
| 2 | Newfoundland and Labrador | Queen/Snow Crab – CFA 1-12** | By end of 2025-2026 | Continue to implement Fishery Monitoring Policy in 2025-2026. |
| 3 | Newfoundland and Labrador | Capelin - 2J3KL** | By end of 2025-2026 | Continue to implement Fishery Monitoring Policy in 2025-2026 |
| 4 | Maritimes | LFAs 27, 29, and 30** | By end of 2025-2026 | Continue conduct of Risk Screening Tools and Quality Assessment Tools for these stocks. |
| 5 | Maritimes | Pollock - 4X5** (Western Component) | By end of 2025-2026 | Continue implementation of the policy through Initiating the application of the Quality Assessment Tool. |
| 6 | Maritimes | Atlantic Halibut - 3NOPs4VWX5* | By end of 2025-2026 | Consult with advisory committee on any recommended changes to current monitoring requirements for the stock. |
| 7 | Maritimes | Atlantic Cod – 4X5Y | By end of 2025-2026 | Continue implementation of the policy through initiating the application of the Risk Screening Tool or Quality Assessment Tool. |
| 8 | Gulf | Lobster – Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (LFA 23, 24, 25, 26A and 26B)** | By end of 2025-2026 | Continue to implement Fishery Monitoring Policy in 2025-2026. |
| 9 | Gulf | Atlantic Herring – 4T (Spring Spawner) | By end of 2025-2026 | Continue to implement Fishery Monitoring Policy in 2025-2026. |
| 10 | Gulf | Atlantic Herring – 4T (Fall Spawner)** | By end of 2025-2026 | Continue to implement Fishery Monitoring Policy in 2025-2026. |
| 11 | Gulf | Atlantic Cod – Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (4TVn) | By end of 2025-2026 | Continue to implement Fishery Monitoring Policy in 2025-2026. |
| 12 | Quebec | Gulf of St. Lawrence Northern Shrimp – SFA 8, 9, 10, 12* | TBD | Will continue to implement Fishery Monitoring Policy in 2025-2026. |
| 13 | Quebec | Atlantic cod – 4RS-3Pn* | TBD | Will continue to implement Fishery Monitoring Policy in 2025-2026. |
| 14 | Arctic | Arctic Char - Cumberland Sound, Iqalugaarjuit (Iqalujjuaq) Fiord** | By end of 2025-2026 | Complete the application of the Risk Screening Tool and Quality Assessment Tool to the stock. |
| 15 | Arctic | Arctic Char - Cumberland Sound, Irvine Inlet** | By end of 2025-2026 | Complete the application of the Risk Screening Tool and Quality Assessment Tool to the stock. |
| 16 | Arctic | Greenland Halibut – NAFO Subarea 0 | By end of 2025-2026 | Complete Step 2 of the Fishery Monitoring Policy implementation including presentation of the results of the Risk Screening Tool and Quality Assessment Tool to stakeholders and conducting a gap analysis of the monitoring program for this fishery. |
| 17 | Arctic | Arctic Char - Cumberland Sound, Iqalugaarjuit (Iqalujjuaq) Fiord** | By end 2026-2027 | Assess the monitoring program Risk Screening Tool and Quality Assessment Tool results. |
| 18 | Arctic | Arctic Char - Cumberland Sound, Irvine Inlet** | By end of 2026-2027 | Assess the monitoring program Risk Screening Tool and Quality Assessment Tool results. |
| 19 | Pacific | Yelloweye Rockfish - Inside | TBD | Carry forward from 2024-2025. Will continue to pursue a project-based approach to Fishery Monitoring Policy implementation in 2025-2026, and through 2027-28. These projects will include:
|
| 20 | Pacific | Yelloweye Rockfish - Outside | TBD | Carry forward from 2024-2025. Will continue to pursue a project-based approach to Fishery Monitoring Policy implementation in 2025-2026, and through 2027-28. These projects will include:
|
| 21 | Pacific | Quillback Rockfish - Inside | TBD | Carry forward from 2024-2025. Will continue to pursue a project-based approach to Fishery Monitoring Policy implementation in 2025-2026, and through 2027-28. These projects will include: •
|
| 22 | Pacific | Quillback Rockfish - Outside | TBD | Carry forward from 2024-2025. Will continue to pursue a project-based approach to Fishery Monitoring Policy implementation in 2025-2026, and through 2027-28. These projects will include:
|
| 23 | NCR | Atlantic Mackerel | By end of 2025-2026 | Carry forward from 2024-2025. Will finalize gap analysis of the monitoring program for this fishery by fiscal-end 2025-2026 (Step 2). Use gap analysis to develop monitoring objectives for this fishery (Step 3) fiscal-end 2025-2026. Will have preliminary discussions with stakeholders and Indigenous partners on specifying monitoring requirements (FMP step 4) fiscal-end 2025-2026 (Step 2). |
| 24 | NCR | Shrimp Fishing Area 6 | By end of 2025-2026 | Will complete the gap analysis and get final approval from the FMP Oversight Committee on the results of Step 2. |
* indicates that a stock is a major fish stock prescribed under schedule IX of the Fishery (General) Regulations: https://canadagazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2022/2022-04-13/html/sor-dors73-eng.html
** indicates that a stock is proposed to be added to the list of major fish stocks under schedule IX of the Fishery (General) Regulations: Consultation on a Regulatory Proposal to Prescribe Stocks to the Fish Stocks Provisions in the Fisheries Act (dfo-mpo.gc.ca)
All items noted as “Carry-forward from 2024-2025” are activities that were not carried out as described in the Sustainable Fisheries Framework Work Plan for Fiscal 2024-2025
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