Regulations Amending the Fishery (General) Regulations: SOR/2026-143
Canada Gazette, Part II, Volume 160, Number 13
Registration
SOR/2026-143 June 22, 2026
FISHERIES ACT
P.C. 2026-632 June 22, 2026
Her Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, makes the annexed Regulations Amending the Fishery (General) Regulations under section 6.3footnote a and paragraphs 43(1)(b.1)footnote b and (p)footnote c of the Fisheries Act footnote d.
Regulations Amending the Fishery (General) Regulations
Amendment
1 Schedule IX to the Fishery (General) Regulations footnote 1 is replaced by the Schedule IX set out in the schedule to these Regulations.
Coming into Force
2 These Regulations come into force on the day on which they are registered.
SCHEDULE
(Section 1)
SCHEDULE IX
(Section 69)
Major Fish Stocks
Definition of NAFO
1 In this Schedule, NAFO means the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization.
| Item (French) | Column I Stock Name |
Column II Scientific Name of Species |
Column III Stock Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (74) | Acadian redfish, Units 1 and 2 | Sebastes fasciatus | The Area composed of
|
| 2 (75) | Acadian redfish, Unit 3 | Sebastes fasciatus | The Area composed of
|
| 3 (60) | American plaice, NAFO 4T | Hippoglossoides platessoides | Division 4T described in paragraph 5(b) of Note A of Schedule III to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 |
| 4 (52) | Arctic char, Cambridge Bay (Halokvik River) | Salvelinus alpinus | The Area composed of
|
| 5 (53) | Arctic char, Cambridge Bay (Jayko River) | Salvelinus alpinus | The Area composed of
|
| 6 (56) | Arctic char, Cumberland Sound (Ijaruvung Lake) | Salvelinus alpinus | The Area composed of
|
| 7 (55) | Arctic char, Cumberland Sound (Iqalugaarjuit Fjord) | Salvelinus alpinus | The Area composed of all bodies of fresh water that flow directly or indirectly into the Iqalugaarjuit Fjord located at 65°40′ north latitude and 65°05′ west longitude |
| 8 (54) | Arctic char, Cumberland Sound (Irvine Inlet) | Salvelinus alpinus | The Area composed of
|
| 9 (40) | Arctic surfclam, Banquereau | Mactromeris polynyma | The Area composed of the portions of Subdivision 4Vs and of Division 4W described in paragraph 5(b) of Note A of Schedule III to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 enclosed by rhumb lines joining the following points in the order in which they are listed: 45°13′26″ north latitude and 57°29′17″ west longitude, 45°02′37″ north latitude and 57°52′36″ west longitude, 44°47′53″ north latitude and 58°53′23″ west longitude, 44°48′11″ north latitude and 60°01′53″ west longitude, 44°23′09″ north latitude and 60°01′12″ west longitude, 44°26′55″ north latitude and 59°09′56″ west longitude, 43°52′42″ north latitude and 58°53′57″ west longitude, 44°03′43″ north latitude and 58°15′30″ west longitude, 44°25′04″ north latitude and 57°06′21″ west longitude and 45°13′26″ north latitude and 57°29′17″ west longitude |
| 10 (41) | Arctic surfclam, Grand Bank | Mactromeris polynyma | The Area composed of Divisions 3L, 3N and 3O described in paragraph 4(b) of Note A of Schedule III to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 |
| 11 (47) | Atlantic cod, NAFO 2J3KL | Gadus morhua | The Area composed of Division 2J described in paragraph 3(b) of Note A of Schedule III to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 and Divisions 3K and 3L described in paragraph 4(b) of that note |
| 12 (48) | Atlantic cod, NAFO 3Pn4RS | Gadus morhua | The Area composed of Subdivision 3Pn described in paragraph 4(b) of Note A of Schedule III to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 and Divisions 4R and 4S described in paragraph 5(b) of that note |
| 13 (49) | Atlantic cod, NAFO 3Ps | Gadus morhua | Subdivision 3Ps described in paragraph 4(b) of Note A of Schedule III to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 |
| 14 (50) | Atlantic cod, NAFO 4TVn | Gadus morhua | The Area composed of Division 4T described in paragraph 5(b) of Note A of Schedule III to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 and Subdivision 4Vn described in that paragraph |
| 15 (51) | Atlantic cod, NAFO 4X5Y | Gadus morhua | The Area composed of Division 4X described in paragraph 5(b) of Note A of Schedule III to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 and Division 5Y described in paragraph 6(b) of that note |
| 16 (14) | Atlantic halibut, NAFO 3NOPs4VWX5Z | Hippoglossus hippoglossus | The Area composed of Divisions 3N and 3O and Subdivision 3Ps described in paragraph 4(b) of Note A of Schedule III to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985, Divisions 4V, 4W and 4X described in paragraph 5(b) of that note and Division 5Z described in paragraph 6(b) of that note |
| 17 (15) | Atlantic halibut, NAFO 4RST | Hippoglossus hippoglossus | The Area composed of Divisions 4R, 4S and 4T described in paragraph 5(b) of Note A of Schedule III to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 |
| 18 (20) | Atlantic herring, NAFO 4T (Fall Spawner Component) | Clupea harengus | Division 4T described in paragraph 5(b) of Note A of Schedule III to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 |
| 19 (19) | Atlantic herring, NAFO 4T (Spring Spawner Component) | Clupea harengus | Division 4T described in paragraph 5(b) of Note A of Schedule III to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 |
| 20 (42) | Atlantic mackerel | Scomber scombrus | The Area composed of Subarea 3 described in paragraph 4(a) of Note A of Schedule III to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 and Subarea 4 described in paragraph 5(a) of that note |
| 21 (79) | Bocaccio rockfish | Sebastes paucispinis | The Area composed of all Areas as defined in section 1 of the Pacific Fishery Management Area Regulations, 2007 |
| 22 (80) | Canary rockfish | Sebastes pinniger | The Area composed of all Areas as defined in section 1 of the Pacific Fishery Management Area Regulations, 2007 |
| 23 (2) | Capelin, NAFO 2J3KL | Mallotus villosus | The Area composed of Division 2J described in paragraph 3(b) of Note A of Schedule III to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 and Divisions 3K and 3L described in paragraph 4(b) of that note |
| 24 (68) | Chinook salmon, Okanagan | Oncorhynchus tshawytscha | The Area composed of
|
| 25 (67) | Chinook salmon, West Coast of Vancouver Island | Oncorhynchus tshawytscha | The Area composed of
|
| 26 (69) | Chinook salmon, Yukon | Oncorhynchus tshawytscha | The Area composed of
|
| 27 (66) | Coho salmon, Interior Fraser | Oncorhynchus kisutch | The Area composed of
|
| 28 (76) | Deepwater redfish, Units 1 and 2 | Sebastes mentella | The Area composed of
|
| 29 (59) | Geoduck | Panopea abrupta | The Area composed of all Areas as defined in section 1 of the Pacific Fishery Management Area Regulations, 2007 |
| 30 (26) | Giant red sea cucumber | Apostichopus californicus | The Area composed of all Areas as defined in section 1 of the Pacific Fishery Management Area Regulations, 2007 |
| 31 (58) | Green sea urchin | Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis | The Area composed of all Areas as defined in section 1 of the Pacific Fishery Management Area Regulations, 2007 |
| 32 (16) | Greenland halibut, NAFO 4RST | Reinhardtius hippoglossoides | The Area composed of Divisions 4R, 4S and 4T described in paragraph 5(b) of Note A of Schedule III to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 |
| 33 (1) | Haddock, NAFO 4X5Y | Melanogrammus aeglefinus | The Area composed of Division 4X described in paragraph 5(b) of Note A of Schedule III to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 and Division 5Y described in paragraph 6(b) of that note |
| 34 (63) | Iceland scallop, Scallop Fishing Area 16E | Chlamys islandica | The portion of Scallop Fishing Area 16 illustrated and enumerated in Part III of Schedule XV to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 bounded by the coast and enclosed by straight lines joining the following points in the order in which they are listed: 50°16′ north latitude and 64°12′ west longitude, 50°04′30″ north latitude and 64°12′ west longitude, 50°00′ north latitude and 63°26′30″ west longitude and 50°12′30″ north latitude and 63°26′30″ west longitude |
| 35 (64) | Iceland scallop, Scallop Fishing Area 16F | Chlamys islandica | The portion of Scallop Fishing Area 16 illustrated and enumerated in Part III of Schedule XV to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985, bounded by the coast and enclosed by straight lines joining the following points in the order in which they are listed: 50°12′30″ north latitude and 63°26′30″ west longitude, 50°00′ north latitude and 63°26′30″ west longitude, 49°57′ north latitude and 62°54′ west longitude, and 50°17′ north latitude and 62°54′ west longitude |
| 36 (27) | Lobster, Lobster Fishing Areas 19 to 21 | Homarus americanus | The Area composed of Lobster Fishing Areas 19, 20A, 20B and 21 illustrated and enumerated in Part III of Schedule XIII to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 |
| 37 (28) | Lobster, Lobster Fishing Area 22 | Homarus americanus | Lobster Fishing Area 22 illustrated and enumerated in Part III of Schedule XIII to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 |
| 38 (29) | Lobster, Lobster Fishing Areas 23 to 26 | Homarus americanus | The Area composed of Lobster Fishing Areas 23, 24, 25, 26A and 26B illustrated and enumerated in Part III of Schedule XIII to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 |
| 39 (30) | Lobster, Lobster Fishing Area 27 | Homarus americanus | Lobster Fishing Area 27 illustrated and enumerated in Part IV of Schedule XIII to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 |
| 40 (31) | Lobster, Lobster Fishing Area 29 | Homarus americanus | Lobster Fishing Area 29 illustrated and enumerated in Part V of Schedule XIII to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 |
| 41 (32) | Lobster, Lobster Fishing Area 30 | Homarus americanus | Lobster Fishing Area 30 illustrated and enumerated in Part V of Schedule XIII to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 |
| 42 (33) | Lobster, Lobster Fishing Area 31A | Homarus americanus | Lobster Fishing Area 31A illustrated and enumerated in Part V of Schedule XIII to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 |
| 43 (34) | Lobster, Lobster Fishing Area 31B | Homarus americanus | Lobster Fishing Area 31B illustrated and enumerated in Part V of Schedule XIII to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 |
| 44 (35) | Lobster, Lobster Fishing Area 32 | Homarus americanus | Lobster Fishing Area 32 illustrated and enumerated in Part V of Schedule XIII to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 |
| 45 (36) | Lobster, Lobster Fishing Area 33 | Homarus americanus | Lobster Fishing Area 33 illustrated and enumerated in Part V of Schedule XIII to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 |
| 46 (37) | Lobster, Lobster Fishing Area 34 | Homarus americanus | Lobster Fishing Area 34 illustrated and enumerated in Part V of Schedule XIII to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 |
| 47 (38) | Lobster, Lobster Fishing Area 41 | Homarus americanus | Lobster Fishing Area 41 illustrated and enumerated in Part II of Schedule XIII to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 |
| 48 (8) | Northern shrimp, Shrimp Fishing Area 8 | Pandalus borealis | Shrimp Fishing Area 8 illustrated and enumerated in Schedule XVII to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 |
| 49 (9) | Northern shrimp, Shrimp Fishing Area 9 | Pandalus borealis | Shrimp Fishing Area 9 illustrated and enumerated in Schedule XVII to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 |
| 50 (10) | Northern shrimp, Shrimp Fishing Area 10 | Pandalus borealis | Shrimp Fishing Area 10 illustrated and enumerated in Schedule XVII to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 |
| 51 (11) | Northern shrimp, Shrimp Fishing Area 12 | Pandalus borealis | Shrimp Fishing Area 12 illustrated and enumerated in Schedule XVII to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 |
| 52 (12) | Northern shrimp, Shrimp Fishing Areas 13 to 15 | Pandalus borealis | The Area composed of Shrimp Fishing Areas 13 to 15 illustrated and enumerated in Schedule XVII to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 |
| 53 (44) | Pacific hake, Offshore | Merluccius productus | The Area composed of Areas 1 to 12, 20, 21, 23 to 27, 101 to 111, 121, 123 to 127, 130 and 142 described in Schedule 2 to the Pacific Fishery Management Area Regulations, 2007 |
| 54 (17) | Pacific halibut | Hippoglossus stenolepis | The Area composed of all Areas as defined in section 1 of the Pacific Fishery Management Area Regulations, 2007 |
| 55 (21) | Pacific herring, Central Coast | Clupea pallasii | The Area composed of
|
| 56 (25) | Pacific herring, Haida Gwaii | Clupea pallasii | The Area composed of Subareas 2-1 to 2-19 and 2-31 to 2-37 described in Schedule 2 to the Pacific Fishery Management Area Regulations, 2007 |
| 57 (24) | Pacific herring, Prince Rupert District | Clupea pallasii | The Area composed of Areas 3 to 5 described in Schedule 2 to the Pacific Fishery Management Area Regulations, 2007 |
| 58 (23) | Pacific herring, Strait of Georgia | Clupea pallasii | The Area composed of
|
| 59 (22) | Pacific herring, West Coast of Vancouver Island | Clupea pallasii | The Area composed of Areas 23 to 25 described in Schedule 2 to the Pacific Fishery Management Area Regulations, 2007 |
| 60 (85) | Pacific ocean perch, North and West Coasts of Haida Gwaii | Sebastes alutus | The Area composed of
|
| 61 (84) | Pacific ocean perch, Queen Charlotte Sound | Sebastes alutus | The Area composed of
|
| 62 (86) | Pacific ocean perch, West Coast of Vancouver Island | Sebastes alutus | The Area composed of
|
| 63 (70) | Pink salmon, Fraser | Oncorhynchus gorbuscha | The Area composed of
|
| 64 (18) | Pollock, NAFO 4X5 (Western Component) | Pollachius virens | The Area composed of
|
| 65 (83) | Quillback rockfish, Inside Waters | Sebastes maliger | The Area composed of Subareas 12-1 to 12-13 and 12-15 to 12-48 and Areas 13 to 20, 28 and 29 described in Schedule 2 to the Pacific Fishery Management Area Regulations, 2007 |
| 66 (82) | Quillback rockfish, Outside Waters | Sebastes maliger | The Area composed of Areas 1 to 11, Subarea 12-14 and Areas 21, 23 to 27, 101 to 111, 121, 123 to 127, 130 and 142 described in Schedule 2 to the Pacific Fishery Management Area Regulations, 2007 |
| 67 (57) | Red sea urchin | Strongylocentrotus franciscanus | The Area composed of all Areas as defined in section 1 of the Pacific Fishery Management Area Regulations, 2007 |
| 68 (46) | Sablefish | Anoplopoma fimbria | The Area composed of all Areas as defined in section 1 of the Pacific Fishery Management Area Regulations, 2007 |
| 69 (65) | Sea scallop, Scallop Fishing Area 20 | Placopecten magellanicus | Scallop Fishing Area 20 illustrated and enumerated in Part III of Schedule XV to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 |
| 70 (43) | Silver hake, NAFO 4VWX | Merluccius bilinearis | The Area composed of Divisions 4V, 4W and 4X described in paragraph 5(b) of Note A of Schedule III to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 |
| 71 (6) | Snow crab, Crab Fishing Area 12A | Chionoecetes opilio | The portion of Crab Fishing Area 12 illustrated and enumerated in Part IIB of Schedule XI to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 bounded by the coast and enclosed by straight lines joining the following points in the order in which they are listed: 49°13′15″ north latitude and 65°53′30″ west longitude, 49°21′25″ north latitude and 65°35′30″ west longitude, 49°17′ north latitude and 64°44′ west longitude, 48°53′30″ north latitude and 63°48′54″ west longitude and 48°45′18″ north latitude and 64°09′54″ west longitude |
| 72 (7) | Snow crab, Crab Fishing Area 12B | Chionoecetes opilio | The portion of Crab Fishing Area 12 illustrated and enumerated in Part IIB of Schedule XI to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 bounded by the coast and enclosed by straight lines joining the following points in the order in which they are listed: 49°51′50″ north latitude and 64°31′26″ west longitude, 49°40′20″ north latitude and 64°54′50″ west longitude, 49°00′ north latitude and 63°00′ west longitude, 48°30′ north latitude and 60°00′ west longitude, 49°05′ north latitude and 60°00′ west longitude and 49°05′ north latitude and 61°42′ west longitude |
| 73 (3) | Snow crab, North-Eastern Nova Scotia (N-ENS) | Chionoecetes opilio | The Area composed of Crab Fishing Areas 20 to 22 illustrated and enumerated in Part III of Schedule XI to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 |
| 74 (5) | Snow crab, South-Eastern Nova Scotia (S-ENS) | Chionoecetes opilio | The Area composed of the portion of Crab Fishing Areas 23 and 24 illustrated and enumerated in Part IIB of Schedule XI to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 lying east of Divisions 4W and 4X described in paragraph 5(b) of Note A of Schedule III to those Regulations |
| 75 (4) | Snow crab, Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence | Chionoecetes opilio | The Area known as the Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence that is composed of
|
| 76 (71) | Sockeye salmon, Fraser (Early Stuart) | Oncorhynchus nerka | The Area composed of
|
| 77 (72) | Sockeye salmon, Somass (Barkley Sound) | Oncorhynchus nerka | The Area composed of
|
| 78 (73) | Sockeye salmon, Stikine | Oncorhynchus nerka | The Area composed of
|
| 79 (13) | Spot prawn | Pandalus platyceros | The Area composed of all Areas as defined in section 1 of the Pacific Fishery Management Area Regulations, 2007 |
| 80 (45) | White hake, NAFO 4T | Urophycis tenuis | Division 4T described in paragraph 5(b) of Note A of Schedule III to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 |
| 81 (62) | Winter flounder, NAFO 4T | Pseudopleuronectes americanus | Division 4T described in paragraph 5(b) of Note A of Schedule III to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 |
| 82 (61) | Witch flounder, NAFO 4RST | Glyptocephalus cynoglossus | The Area composed of Divisions 4R, 4S and 4T described in paragraph 5(b) of Note A of Schedule III to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 |
| 83 (78) | Yelloweye rockfish, Inside Waters | Sebastes ruberrimus | The Area composed of Subareas 12-1 to 12-13 and 12-15 to 12-48 and Areas 13 to 20, 28 and 29 described in Schedule 2 to the Pacific Fishery Management Area Regulations, 2007 |
| 84 (77) | Yelloweye rockfish, Outside Waters | Sebastes ruberrimus | The Area composed of Areas 1 to 11, Subarea 12-14 and Areas 21, 23 to 27, 101 to 111, 121, 123 to 127, 130 and 142 described in Schedule 2 to the Pacific Fishery Management Area Regulations, 2007 |
| 85 (81) | Yellowmouth rockfish | Sebastes reedi | The Area composed of all Areas as defined in section 1 of the Pacific Fishery Management Area Regulations, 2007 |
| 86 (39) | Yellowtail flounder, NAFO 4T | Limanda ferruginea | Division 4T described in paragraph 5(b) of Note A of Schedule III to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 |
REGULATORY IMPACT ANALYSIS STATEMENT
(This statement is not part of the Regulations.)
Issues
Under the Fisheries Act (the Act), Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is responsible for managing Canadian fisheries resources and for managing, conserving, and protecting Canadian fish and fish habitat.
Regulatory amendments are required to prescribe 57 major fish stocks to Schedule IX of the Fishery (General) Regulations (the Regulations), making them subject to sections 6.1 and 6.2 of the Fisheries Act; and to correct errors in the description of geographic areas for certain major fish stocks that are already prescribed.
Background
Amendments to the Act from 2019 introduced sections 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3 (the Fish Stocks provisions). These provisions require the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans to implement measures to maintain major fish stocks at or above the levels necessary to promote their sustainability, or implement measures to maintain the stocks above the “limit reference point” (LRP), or develop a plan to rebuild a stock above its LRP for stocks that have declined to or below their LRP and implement it within the period provided for in the plan. The LRP is the stock level below which productivity is sufficiently impaired to cause serious harm. These provisions only apply to major fish stocks, as prescribed by regulation.
On April 4, 2022, the Regulations were amended to implement the Fish Stocks provisions of the Act. Consequently, Schedule IX was added to the Regulations and 30 major fish stocks were prescribed, making them subject to sections 6.1 and 6.2 of the Fisheries Act. Part XIV, which sets out the required contents and timelines for developing rebuilding plans, was also added to the Regulations.
Major fish stocks are prescribed based on specific criteria. First, the proposed stocks are in DFO’s Sustainability Survey for Fisheries (the Survey), an annual survey that tracks the implementation of DFO’s Sustainable Fisheries Framework policies for the key harvested stocks DFO manages. Second, the proposed stocks have an established LRP, or the commitment to establish one. Finally, sufficient data is available on the proposed stocks to enable DFO to put in place management measures consistent with the requirements of the Fish Stocks provisions.
Objective
The objective of the Regulations Amending the Fishery (General) Regulations (the Amendments) is to make the major fish stocks subject to the legislative requirements of sections 6.1 to 6.2 of the Fisheries Act to implement management measures to maintain the major fish stocks at or above sustainable levels, or above the LRP, or to implement rebuilding plans if they decline to or below the LRP.
Description
The Amendments revise Schedule IX of the Regulations by adding 57 major fish stocks to this schedule.
In the Amendments, the stocks are described by
- their common stock name (e.g. Lobster, Lobster Fishing Area [LFA] 22);
- the scientific name of the species (e.g. Homarus americanus); and
- the area where the stock is geographically located (e.g. Lobster Fishing Area [LFA] 22), generally based on fishing areas described in the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 or the Pacific Fishery Management Area Regulations, 2007. For certain stocks, coordinates, traditional place names, or river systems they return to when they spawn are also used.
In addition, the geographic descriptions of 3 prescribed stocks are amended to correct errors or adjust formatting for consistency. These 3 stocks are Chinook salmon, Okanagan; Coho salmon, Interior Fraser; and Yelloweye rockfish, Outside waters.
The Amendments also reorder the list of stocks alphabetically.
The list of 57 stocks prescribed through the Amendments differs slightly from the list of 65 originally prepublished in the Canada Gazette, Part I, on October 12, 2024, due to the following reasons:
- Three proposed Northern shrimp stocks (Eastern Assessment Zone, and Shrimp Fishing Areas 4 and 5) are not prescribed. In addition, a previously prescribed stock (Northern shrimp, Shrimp Fishing Area 6) is removed from Schedule IX. This change in approach was taken to reflect the adoption of a new peer-reviewed stock assessment framework in December 2024, which consolidated several shrimp stocks into 2 larger stock units, each with their own LRP. In order to align with the management structure set out in the Fisheries Act, stocks must be prescribed at the scale of the LRP. The affected stocks will be proposed for prescription within the new stock unit structure in a future batch.
- The Striped shrimp, Eastern Assessment Zone, is not prescribed to allow more time for DFO to engage with the Nunavik Marine Region Wildlife Board, as this stock is located in a modern treaty area and is subject to the requirements of the Nunavik Inuit Land Claims Agreement.
- Three Snow crab stocks (Assessment Division 2HJ, Assessment Division 3K and Assessment Division 3Ps) are not prescribed to allow more time for DFO to review and finalize the Newfoundland and Labrador Snow crab precautionary approach framework in consultation with industry, Indigenous partners, and stakeholders. The affected stocks will be proposed for prescription in a future batch.
- The Atlantic herring, NAFO Division 4X5Y (Southwest Nova Scotia / Bay of Fundy Spawning Component), is not prescribed to allow DFO to conduct a review of the assessment framework for the stock initiated in January 2026 and then to conduct a stock assessment. The stock will be proposed for prescription in a future batch.
Regulatory development
Consultation
From October 19 to December 19, 2022, DFO sought feedback on a proposed list of 62 fish stocks for listing under the Fish Stocks provisions, which DFO published on the Department’s Public Consultations webpage. DFO sent targeted correspondence to implicated stakeholders and partner communities and organizations inviting them to provide comments on the list of 62 stocks. This targeted correspondence was sent to several hundred recipients with whom DFO regularly engages in the management of these proposed major fish stocks. This engagement included correspondence to two Modern Treaty Partners, the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board and Nunavik Marine Region Wildlife Board, as 7 of the stocks proposed to be prescribed occur within modern treaty areas. DFO received 31 submissions from provincial governments, First Nations and Indigenous groups, fish harvester organizations, and environmental non-governmental organizations (ENGOs). The feedback was largely supportive of the proposed list.
Stakeholders and Indigenous peoples and organizations recommended adding an additional 78 stocks to the proposed list. After analyzing the feedback received, DFO concluded that 2 of the 78 could be added to the proposed list, namely Witch Flounder, NAFO 4RST and Sockeye Salmon, Stikine, as these stocks met the policy criteria to be listed as major fish stocks. This increased the proposed list of major fish stocks from 62 to 64.
During this consultation stage, harvester organizations expressed the view that Geoduck and Atlantic herring, NAFO 4X5Y (Southwest Nova Scotia/Bay of Fundy Spawning Component), should be removed from the proposed list of 62 stocks because their LRP was outdated and did not reflect the current environmental conditions experienced by the stocks. In response, DFO reviewed the available scientific data and concluded that the LRPs for these stocks accurately reflected the state of the stock. Consequently, at that time, DFO retained the stocks in the proposed regulatory amendment for the Canada Gazette, Part I.
The proposed list was then modified to correctly reflect the scale at which LRPs were set for certain stocks. DFO divided Queen/Snow Crab, CFA 1-12 into 5 stocks, with 3 of these stocks being included in the proposed list (Snow crab, Assessment Divisions 2HJ, 3K and 3Ps). However, it has since been decided that to allow more time to review the precautionary approach framework for these 3 stocks, these stocks will not be included in these amendments. The other 2 crab stocks were not included, as DFO was analyzing whether these were a single stock. DFO also removed Northern Shrimp — Shrimp Fishing Area 1 from the proposed list, as the management of the stock is shared with Greenland and there is no formal sharing agreement yet. The result, following consultation and DFO’s additional analysis, was a list of 65 stocks.
The proposed Amendments were then prepublished in the Canada Gazette, Part I, on October 12, 2024, and were open to public comment for a 30-day period. Comments were received from 16 parties, including Indigenous organizations, industry associations, ENGOs, and individual Canadians, through the Online Regulatory Consultation System. Ten of the 16 commenters provided feedback that supported the Amendments or suggested measures to support the conservation of the species, whereas the 6 other submissions were not directly relevant to the Amendments, proposed management measures for specific stocks, or expressed support for the conservation of fish stocks in general. The main views of those who provided feedback and how DFO took the feedback into account are described below.
Environmental non-governmental organizations
ENGOs supported the proposed list of stocks and recommended the addition of 42 more stocks to the proposed list of 65 stocks, while also advocating for the prompt final approval and coming into force of the amendments. To broaden the list of prescribed stocks beyond the Canada Gazette, Part I, proposal, DFO would have been required to consult impacted stakeholders and partners, including Indigenous peoples, and undertake additional policy work, which could not have been completed within a reasonable time frame. The additional stocks suggested by ENGOs will be considered as candidates for future batches to be added to Schedule IX of the Regulations.
Industry associations
An industry association expressed the view that Atlantic herring, NAFO 4X5Y (Southwest Nova Scotia/Bay of Fundy Spawning Component), should be removed from the list of proposed stocks because, in the association’s opinion, the LRP was outdated and did not reflect the current environmental conditions experienced by the stock. The LRP is set by DFO based on the best-available scientific information in a peer-review process. Moreover, the LRP is not included in the Regulations and can be adjusted after a stock is prescribed if new data become available. However, as stated in the Description section, it was later decided that this stock will not be prescribed at this time to allow DFO to conduct a review of the assessment framework for the stock and then to conduct a stock assessment. Other industry comments were related to the implementation of the Fish Stocks provisions but were unrelated to the list of stocks.
Provincial governments
During the prepublication period, DFO received comments from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. They expressed support for the Amendments and provided comments related to the implementation of the Fish Stocks provisions.
Indigenous engagement, consultation and modern treaty obligations
During the prepublication period, First Nations and Indigenous groups supported prescribing the proposed stocks that are relevant to their interests and recommended adding two additional stocks: Lingcod, Outside and Chum Salmon, West Coast of Vancouver Island. These stocks were not added to the Amendments because they did not meet the criteria to be prescribed, though they will be considered as candidates for future batches.
The Amendments do not have a direct impact on modern treaty rights, or the interests of Indigenous peoples, as the Amendments solely establish obligations on the federal government.
Instrument choice
The Amendments are required to implement the Fish Stocks provisions in the Act in respect of the 57 major fish stocks. As a result, no other instruments were considered.
Regulatory analysis
Benefits and costs
Baseline scenario
All 57 stocks that are prescribed in the Amendments are currently managed under DFO’s 2009 A fishery decision-making framework incorporating the precautionary approach (“the PA Policy” or “the Policy”) and are already actively managed by DFO every year. For each stock, DFO makes regular management decisions, including the quantity of fish that can be harvested, gear types that may be used, issuance of licences, geographic and seasonal fishery closures in the normal course of business. Forty-eight of the 57 stocks are above their LRP, for which the PA Policy requires that a harvest strategy be incorporated into respective fisheries management plans to maintain or grow the stock towards the Healthy zone. With respect to the eight stocks that are below their LRP, the PA Policy calls for promoting the rebuilding of the stock and to reduce the risk of serious or irreversible harm to the stock. It also requires a rebuilding plan when a stock reaches low levels. For the remaining one stock without an LRP, the PA Policy calls for an LRP that is based on biological criteria to be established by DFO Science through a peer-reviewed process.
Regulatory scenario
Prescribing the stocks in the Amendments will trigger a legal requirement on the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans to manage these stocks in a sustainable manner. That said, the existing PA Policy will continue to apply and the regulatory requirements under the Fish Stocks provisions are essentially equivalent to the PA Policy requirements. The only difference is the time frame in which the rebuilding plans will have to be developed. Under the PA Policy, the timelines to develop rebuilding plans have varied. The 2022 amendments to the Regulations require that a rebuilding plan be developed for each stock within 24 months after the stock falls to or below their LRP; for the eight stocks already at or below their LRP, the timeline will start when the Amendments come into force. The Minister can extend the timeline for the rebuilding plan up to 36 months if needed. If the Minister extends the timeline to develop a plan, the decision and the rationale are published on DFO’s website.
Differential impact analysis
There are no incremental costs or benefits to the Government, businesses, consumers, or Canadians associated with these Amendments because future management measures under the Fish Stocks provisions are expected to be equivalent to those implemented in accordance with DFO’s PA Policy. For stocks requiring rebuilding plans, only the timing of those costs and benefits will be affected, which may occur earlier than in the baseline scenario.
The impacts due to timing are likely to be negligible. Of the eight stocks that will be subject to the rebuilding requirement, rebuilding plans for two stocks have already been developed and the remaining five stocks are in varying stages of plan development. For the stock that does not have an LRP currently in place, DFO has not yet determined a timeline for its development.
Small business lens
The small business lens does not apply, as there are no impacts on small businesses.
One-for-one rule
The Amendments do not impose any administrative burden on businesses. Therefore, the “one-for-one” rule does not apply.
Regulatory cooperation and alignment
The Amendments are not related to a work plan or commitment under a formal regulatory cooperation forum.
International obligations
The Amendments are not linked to any international agreements or obligations.
Effects on the environment
In accordance with the Cabinet Directive on Strategic Environmental and Economic Assessment, a preliminary scan concluded that a strategic environmental and economic assessment is not required.
Gender-based analysis plus
No gender-based analysis plus (GBA+) impacts have been identified for these Amendments, since they solely establish obligations on the Government of Canada.
Implementation, compliance and enforcement, and service standards
Implementation
These Amendments come into force on the day on which they are registered. For the prescribed stocks that are at or below their LRP, and thus require a rebuilding plan, the timeline to develop the plan within a 24-month period, or up to 36 months, will begin on that day.
DFO will use the 2021 Guidelines for Writing Rebuilding Plans per the Fish Stocks Provisions and A Fishery Decision-making Framework Incorporating the Precautionary Approach and the 2022 Guidelines for Implementing the Fish Stocks Provisions in the Fisheries Act to inform the implementation of the Fish Stocks provisions and regulatory requirements for rebuilding plans.
DFO will use existing internal reporting mechanisms to monitor progress in developing rebuilding plans. DFO’s annual Sustainable Fisheries Framework Work Plan related to the development of PA frameworks, including rebuilding plans, their expected dates of completion and notices of extension, the Sustainability Survey for Fisheries, and the Departmental Results Reports will continue to be published to report on this progress to Canadians.
Contact
Fisheries Policy
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
200 Kent Street, 13th Floor
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0E6
Email: DFO.Rebuilding-Retablissement.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca