Status of key fish stocks
Access PDF (442 kB)
Human use of the oceans, including fishing, and environmental conditions affect the abundance and health of fish stocksFootnote 1 at national and global levels. In order to maintain fish stocks for future generations, it is important to track their status and adjust management measures (such as harvest rates and limits). This indicator reports on the status (Healthy, Cautious, Critical or Uncertain) of key Canadian fish stocks as found in the Sustainability Survey for Fisheries. This indicator tracks progress on the 2022 to 2026 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy, supporting the target: By 2026, at least 55% of Canada's key fish stocks are in the Cautious and Healthy zone.
National and by region
Key results
- Many of the new stocks added in recent years have an uncertain status
- Of the 192 key fish stocks assessed in 2021:
- 66 stocks (34%) were in the Healthy zone
- 27 stocks (14%) were in the Cautious zone
- 22 stocks (11%) were in the Critical zone
- 77 stocks (40%) could not be classified and have an uncertain status
Status of key fish stocks, Canada, 2011 to 2021
Data table for the long description
| Year | Healthy zone (number of stocks) |
Cautious zone (number of stocks) |
Critical zone (number of stocks) |
Status uncertain (number of stocks) |
Total (number of stocks) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 72 | 31 | 17 | 35 | 155 |
| 2012 | 75 | 37 | 15 | 28 | 155 |
| 2013 | 74 | 41 | 16 | 24 | 155 |
| 2014 | 75 | 40 | 15 | 24 | 154 |
| 2015 | 78 | 31 | 19 | 31 | 159 |
| 2016 | 76 | 31 | 21 | 42 | 170 |
| 2017 | 63 | 25 | 18 | 73 | 179 |
| 2018 | 58 |
27 | 19 | 73 | 177 |
| 2019 | 52 | 29 | 25 | 70 | 176 |
| 2020 | 56 | 23 | 23 | 78 | 180 |
| 2021 | 66 | 27 | 22 | 77 | 192 |
Download data file (Excel/CSV; 1.02 KB)
How this indicator was calculated
Note: The status of fish stocks is determined by comparing stock indices, such as the abundance, to reference points. Stocks include a variety of harvested marine animal species, not only finfish. Comparisons between years should be made with caution, as the list of key fish stocks has changed.
Source: Fisheries and Oceans Canada (2023) Sustainability Survey for Fisheries.
The number of stocks with an uncertain status increased from 2014 to 2021. This increase reflects the lack of sufficient information to reliably assess the stock status of some stocks, and that some of the stocks that were added to the Sustainability Survey for Fisheries since 2014 have uncertain status.
Changes in stock status typically happen slowly. Recovery time depends on the biology of the stock, environmental conditions and management actions. For example, environmental changes such as shifts in climate and ocean currents may cause some stocks to reproduce and grow more slowly. It may take many years for biological systems to respond to changes in management practices such as limiting annual fish harvest.
Harvest levels are adjusted to help rebuild stocks that are not in the Healthy zone. Stock assessments for key fish stocks are peer-reviewed and made publicly available through the Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat reports. The stock status is reported as part of the Sustainability Survey for Fisheries, which is a key planning, monitoring, and evaluation tool.
Stocks can be grouped according to the Fisheries and Oceans Canada region in which they are managed. The Pacific management region has the highest proportion of stocks in the Heathy zone. A greater proportion of stocks have an uncertain status in the Arctic region. Of the 3 regions, the Atlantic region has the highest number of key fish stocks and a high proportion of those stocks have an uncertain status or are in the Healthy zone. The Atlantic region includes Fisheries and Oceans Canada's Newfoundland and Labrador, Maritimes, Gulf and Quebec regions.
Status of key fish stocks by region, Canada, 2021
Data table for the long description
| Status | Pacific (number of stocks) |
Arctic (number of stocks) |
Atlantic (number of stocks) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthy zone | 23 | 2 | 41 |
| Cautious zone | 16 | 1 | 10 |
| Critical zone | 4 | 0 | 18 |
| Status uncertain | 14 | 18 | 45 |
Download data file (Excel/CSV; 634 B)
How this indicator was calculated
Note: Stocks managed from the central National office were allocated to Atlantic and Arctic regions as appropriate.
Source: Fisheries and Oceans Canada (2023) Sustainability Survey for Fisheries.
By stock group
Status of key fish stocks, by stock group
Key results
- Groundfish, for example Atlantic Cod, Yelloweye Rockfish, and American Plaice, have the greatest number of total stocks and highest proportion of stocks in the Critical zone
- Crustaceans, for example crab, lobster and shrimp, have the greatest number of stocks in the Healthy zone
Status of key fish stocks by stock group, Canada, 2021
Data table for the long description
| Stock group | Species / stocks included | Healthy zone (number of stocks) |
Cautious zone (number of stocks) |
Critical zone (number of stocks) |
Status uncertain (number of stocks) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marine mammals | Atlantic Walrus, beluga, bowhead, Grey Seal, Harp Seal, narwhal | 2 |
0 | 0 | 15 |
| Groundfish | Cod, dogfish, flounder, haddock, hake, halibut, lingcod, Ocean Perch, plaice, pollock, Redfish, rockfish, sablefish, skate, thornyhead, whitefish | 18 | 9 |
11 | 14 |
| Small pelagics | Albacore Tuna, capelin, eulachon, herring, gaspereau, mackerel, sardine, Striped Bass | 1 | 5 | 4 | 10 |
| Large pelagics | Bluefin Tuna, swordfish | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Salmonids | Char, chum, north slope dolly varden, salmon, trout | 5 | 9 | 4 | 6 |
| Crustaceans | Crab, krill, lobster, prawn, shrimp | 29 | 3 | 2 | 18 |
| Molluscs | Clam, geoduck, scallop, oyster, whelk | 6 | 1 | 1 | 10 |
| Others | Eel and elvers, Sea Cucumber, Sea Urchin | 6 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Total | n/a | 66 | 27 | 22 | 77 |
Download data file (Excel/CSV; 1.79 kB)
Note: n/a = not applicable.
How this indicator was calculated
Note: Pelagic fish live in midwater or close to the surface, in contrast to groundfish, which live in deeper waters. Crustaceans are shelled animals with joints, such as lobster, crab and shrimp. Molluscs are the species we commonly think of as shellfish, including bivalve species like clams, oysters and mussels.
Source: Fisheries and Oceans Canada (2023) Sustainability Survey for Fisheries.
Similar to previous years, groundfish had the greatest number and highest proportion of stocks in the Critical zone.
However, groundfish also had one of the lowest proportion of stocks with an uncertain status. Groundfish are monitored through long-standing surveys. As such, there is more information to assess stock status.
There is a high number and proportion of crustacean stocks in the Healthy zone. For example, most lobster stocks are in the Healthy zone.
Marine mammals had the highest proportion of stocks with uncertain status. The majority of these stocks are in the Arctic region and are typically surveyed less frequently, leading to challenges with data availability and assigning stock status.
About the indicator
About the indicator
What the indicator measures
The indicator reports the status of key fish stocks. Federal scientists use a variety of scientific methods to assess fish stock levels and assign them a stock status zone (Healthy, Cautious or Critical) by comparing the size of the stocks to reference points. If there is insufficient information to determine the stock status zone, the status is uncertain. Stock status is an important element of the precautionary approach.
Why this indicator is important
Stock status affects management decisions, including harvest rates and levels:
- for stocks in the Healthy zone, fisheries management decisions (including harvest strategies) are designed to maintain fish stocks within this zone, while providing sustainable benefits to Canadians
- for stocks in the Cautious zone, the management objective is to promote stock rebuilding to the Healthy zone
- for stocks in the Critical zone, stock growth is promoted and removals are kept to the lowest possible level until the stock status improves
- for stocks that have an uncertain status, the uncertainty is factored into harvest level decisions. Greater uncertainty leads to more precautionary harvest levels
Related initiatives
This indicator tracks progress on the 2022 to 2026 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy, supporting the target: By 2026, at least 55% of Canada's key fish stocks are in the Cautious and Healthy zone. The most recent data available shows that as of 2021, 48% of Canada's key fish stocks are in the Cautious and Healthy zone.
In addition, this indicator contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It is linked to the 2030 Agenda's Goal 14, Life Below Water and Target 14.4, " By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics."
This indicator also contributes to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. It is linked to Target 5: "Ensure that the use, harvesting and trade of wild species is sustainable, safe and legal, preventing overexploitation, minimizing impacts on non-target species and ecosystems, and reducing the risk of pathogen spill-over, applying the ecosystem approach, while respecting and protecting customary sustainable use by indigenous peoples and local communities.”
Related indicators
The Harvest levels of key fish stocks indicator reports on the proportion of key fish stocks that are harvested within approved limits and those that are harvested above approved limits.
The Canadian species index indicator has a fish sub-index that shows the population trend of monitored fish species.
Data sources and methods
Data sources and methods
Data sources
Data from 2015 to 2021 are from the annual Sustainability Survey for Fisheries (the survey). The survey replaces the Fishery Checklist, which was used from 2011 to 2014. The survey provides a systematic review of national progress towards conservation and sustainable-use objectives.
More information
The survey is conducted each spring and captures data for the previous year. The same survey supports the Harvest levels of key fish stocks indicator.
The data provide a qualitative snapshot of how a fishery is addressing a range of factors for sustainable management. The data also provide an indication of progress in implementing sustainable fisheries policies. Fisheries managers and scientists include results from the most recent stock assessments in their response for the survey year being reviewed.
The survey includes key fish stocks used by commercial, recreational and Indigenous fisheries. A fish stock is a population of individuals of a species found in a particular area. It is used as a unit for fisheries management purposes.
Key fish stocks are identified by regional fisheries managers within Fisheries and Oceans Canada and include stocks that are:
- an important economic stock, which have an:
- annual landed value greater than $1 million
- annual landed weight greater than 2 000 tonnes
- an important stock for:
- cultural reasons
- iconic value
- ecosystem reasons
- an international stock, which is one that is:
- straddlingFootnote 2
- migratory
- transboundary
- managed by or subject to an international agreement
- included in an integrated fisheries management plan
- targeted in a fishery
- caught as bycatch and are economically important
- in a depleted state, but were part of a significant commercial fishery and thus are a candidate for or subject to a rebuilding plan under the Precautionary Approach policy
Fish stocks include marine mammals, finfish, shellfish and other marine invertebrates. A year is defined based on fishing seasons and closures for individual stocks. It may not align exactly with the calendar year and may vary between stocks.
Methods
A variety of scientific methods are used to assess fish stock levels and assign 1 of 3 stock status zones (Healthy, Cautious or Critical). The indicator is a simple count of the stocks in each status zone. The number of stocks that cannot be assigned to a status zone is also reported and given an uncertain status.
More information
Fish stock status is impacted by a number of factors, including the amount harvested, reproductive success, environmental and ecosystem conditions, and predation levels.
- A stock is in the Healthy zone when its biomass is above the upper stock reference point. The upper stock reference point is determined by the productivity of the stock, broader biological considerations, and the social and economic objectives for the fishery
- A stock is in the Critical zone if it falls below the limit reference point. The limit reference point is the stock level below which productivity is sufficiently impaired to cause serious harm to the stock
- Between these 2 points, the stock is in the Cautious zone
If reference points have not yet been established, zones may be assigned based on the best available information on the fish's biology and its historic abundance levels. If zones cannot be determined with current information, the stock is assigned an uncertain status.
Stock assessments are conducted in a variety of ways and use many types of data, including abundance indices and biomass estimates. Many sources of data contribute to assessments, including data from fishery monitoring (such as catch rates and fish body-size distribution), research surveys, community knowledge and directed research.
Regional information
For the purposes of this indicator, Fisheries and Oceans Canada's 7 regions have been grouped into 3: Stocks managed by the Pacific region of Fisheries and Oceans Canada are assigned to the Pacific region. Stocks managed by the Arctic region are assigned to the Arctic region; this region contains some freshwater stocks. Stocks managed by the central National region are allocated to Atlantic and Arctic regions as appropriate. All remaining regions are assigned to the Atlantic region: Gulf, Maritimes, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Quebec.
Stock groups
The stock groups used for reporting on this indicator include marine mammals, salmonids, groundfish, large pelagics, small pelagics, crustaceans, molluscs, and others. These groupings are used in the Sustainability Survey for Fisheries. Pelagic fish live in midwater or close to the surface, in contrast to groundfish, which live in deeper waters. Crustaceans are shelled animals with joints, such as lobster, crab and shrimp. Molluscs are the species we commonly think of as shellfish, including bivalve species like clams, oysters and mussels. The same groupings are used in the Harvest levels of key fish stocks indicator.
Recent changes
Implementation of the precautionary approach in fisheries management began in 2009. Precautionary approach components are built into the Sustainability Survey for Fisheries (the survey) and, on an annual basis, are improved on or added to the survey in a progressive manner.
The survey, previously called the Fishery Checklist, has been revised over time to improve its usefulness as a management tool. The Fishery Checklist was used from 2011 to 2014 and became the annual Sustainability Survey for Fisheries in 2015.
In 2011, the checklist and a set of 155 key fish stocks were finalized for the period 2011 to 2014, allowing comparability between years. The Porbeagle Shark was classified in the Critical zone in 2013 and the fishery was subsequently closed. The stock was therefore removed from the list in 2014, leaving a total of 154 stocks.
In 2015, the list of key fish stocks was revised to a total of 159:
- 3 Snow Crab stocks were merged (-2)
- 1 Northern shrimp fishery was closed and the stock removed (-1)
- 6 stocks (3 shrimp, 1 eel, 1 redfish and 1 Witch Flounder) were added (+6)
- Pacific Ocean Perch was split into 3 stocks (+2)
In 2016, the list of key fish stocks was revised to a total of 170:
- 2 lobster stocks were merged (-1)
- 3 stocks with no commercial fishery in 2016 (Pink Salmon, Coho Salmon and whelk) were removed (-3)
- 3 salmon stocks (1 Chum and 2 Sockeye) were split into revised management units (+5)
- 10 stocks (6 Snow Crab, 2 seal, 1 shrimp and 1 scallop) were added (+10)
In 2017, the list of key fish stocks was revised to a total of 179:
- 4 Atlantic Walrus stocks were added (+4)
- 2 Greenland Halibut stocks were merged (-1)
- 7 stocks (Sea Cucumber, Atlantic Salmon, Witch Flounder, Pink and Spiny Scallop, Pacific Oyster, Fraser Pink and Common clam) were added (+7)
- 1 Pacific Herring stock was removed (-1)
In 2018, the list of key fish stocks was revised to a total of 177:
- 2 Gulf Herring stocks were merged (-1)
- 1 Quebec Snow Crab stock was removed (-1)
In 2019, the list of key fish stocks was revised to a total of 176:
- 1 intertidal clam stock was removed (-1)
In 2020, the list of key fish stocks was revised to a total of 180:
- Gulf shrimp was split into 4 stocks (+3)
- Herring was split into 2 units (Fall and Spring spawner) (+1)
- Redfish was previously 2 units and was split into 2 species (+0)
In 2021, the list of key fish stocks was revised to a total of 192:
- Inshore Lobster was previously 2 units and was split into 11 (+9)
- 1 Yellowtail Flounder stock was added (+1)
- 1 Chinook Salmon stock was added (+1)
- 1 Coho Salmon stock was added (+1)
Caveats and limitations
Ongoing improvement of how Fisheries and Oceans Canada applies the precautionary approach can affect the survey results. As such, comparisons between years should be made with caution.
The Sustainability Survey for Fisheries (the survey) is completed with the best available information. The criteria used to assign a stock status to a stock for which no reference points have been identified have changed over time. This has resulted in revisions to the reported stock status for a number of stocks between 2011 and 2021. Comparisons between years should therefore be made with caution.
Changes in the set of surveyed stocks occur due to changes in the way stocks are assessed or managed. Results should be interpreted with this in mind.
Stock status assessments are not conducted annually for every stock, therefore, recent changes in stock status may not be captured.
The indicator includes key stocks of fish, invertebrates, and marine mammals. Seaweeds and other aquatic plants are excluded.
Resources
Resources
References
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (2009) A fishery decision-making framework incorporating the precautionary approach. Retrieved on May 4, 2023.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (2021) About the Sustainability Survey for Fisheries. Retrieved on May 16, 2023.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (2022) Fisheries management decisions. Retrieved on May 16, 2023.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (2022) Sustainable Fisheries Framework. Retrieved on May 16, 2023.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (2023) Sustainability Survey for Fisheries. Retrieved on May 16, 2023.
Related information
Integrated fisheries management plans
Science Advisory Reports (includes Stock Status Reports)
Status of key fish stocks
Page details
- Date modified: