A1 - Department Overview

A mandate that directly impacts the day-to-day lives of Canadians and informs key decisions on a broad range of priorities

The Department’s mandate facilitates positive change and achieves meaningful results that are felt across the country.

Supporting Departmental Priorities:

Fisheries Management – Deciding who may access fisheries as a public resource, as well as where, when, and how many fish are harvested.
Economic prosperity – Working with fishers, coastal, and Indigenous communities to enable their continued prosperity from fish and seafood resources.
Indigenous Rights – Taking steps to further implement Indigenous rights and build a constructive relationship with Indigenous Peoples.
Environment – Taking action to conserve and protect species, ecosystems, and the marine environments, including marine pollution response.
International – Advancing Canada’s objectives and interests with international partners and on the world stage.
Marine navigation – Ensuring mariners have accurate, reliable mapping of Canadian waterways.

Fisheries - Ensure Canada’s fisheries, including aquaculture, are protected, managed sustainably, and support Indigenous fishing rights, while ensuring a national network of harbours is open and in good repair.
Aquatic Ecosystems - Protecting oceans, freshwater, and aquatic ecosystems and species from negative human impact and invasive species through sound science and in collaboration with Indigenous communities.
Marine Navigation – Conduct year-round hydrographic surveys and oceanographic measurements to support safe, sustainable, and efficient marine navigation.

Day-to-day, DFO Employees

In 2026-27, the Department is expected to have a workforce of approximately 6,890 Full-Time Equivalents (FTEs) across Canada.
Day-to-day operations rely on a strong workforce with a wide range of skills and expertise, including:
- Fishery officers;
- Scientists;
- Biologists;
- Vessel crews;
- Economists;
- Analysts;
- Surveyors;
- Negotiators;
- Environmental experts;
- Hydrographers

As a highly operational organization, over 83 per cent of employees work outside the National Capital Region (NCR) to deliver direct services to Canadians
With over 295 work locations across the country, frontline departmental staff are often the main or only federal presence in Canada’s coastal communities.
In addition to the NCR, DFO comprises seven administrative regions (Arctic, Gulf, Maritimes, Newfoundland & Labrador, Quebec, Pacific, and Ontario and Prairies).
In 2018, DFO established a new dedicated Arctic Region to advance Indigenous reconciliation and to reflect the Arctic’s economic and environmental importance to Canada.

As a highly operational Department, the funding is allocated to operating and capital expenditures and grants and contributions.
Initiatives such as the Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Program (FFHPP) and Indigenous Reconciliation have provided additional funding to support departmental priorities.

The 2026-27 main estimates forecast spending of approximately $1.8 billion in order to meet the Department’s vision and mandate. Note: This excludes $115M in statutory authorities.

Science is front and centre at DFO to support evidence-based decision-making.

Sustainable development: a strong science and evidence-base supports the responsible use of ocean resources, including fisheries, aquaculture, and broader economic opportunities in the marine sector.
Conservation and protection: assessments of habitat, species at risk, aquatic invasive species, and other ecosystem factors informs policy, enhances programs, and supports marine protected areas.
Oceans management: scientific data supports, integrated ocean management and hydrographic services enable safe navigation through Canada’s waterways.
Environmental monitoring: scientific research and monitoring on environmental changes to support fisheries and aquatic ecosystem management and marine operations and responses.

Fish Harvesters: Ensure fair access and allocation of fisheries resources to commercial harvesters; manage and administer licenses; and balance sustainability measures with positive economic outcomes.
Marine Sectors: Enable robust economic activity and trade; affirm Canada’s position in global fish and seafood markets.
Indigenous Partners: Support the exercise of Indigenous rights; expand access to fisheries resources; provide greater role and incorporation of Indigenous Knowledge in decision-making; and increase partnerships in ocean governance.
Provinces & Territories: Jointly manage freshwater fisheries, ecosystems, and waterways with provincial and territorial governments and work collaboratively to advance areas of shared interest.
International Partners: Demonstrate Canadian leadership; promote Canada’s international trade agenda; advance Canadian priorities for international fisheries; and engage domestic stakeholders on international issues.
ENGOs: Advance environmental conservation; strengthen protections for species at risk; and enhance sustainability requirements for fisheries.