Canada is home to some of the world’s most diverse ecosystems and incredible landscapes. This natural beauty helps shape our identity and influences who we are as a country which is why conserving biodiversity and protecting it from threats like aquatic invasive species is so important. Without protective and preventative measures, aquatic invasive species can spread quickly, compete with native species, and permanently alter habitats, with the potential to cost Canadians billions of dollars.
In 2023, Fisheries and Oceans Canada launched the $8.75 million Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Fund (AISPF) to help facilitate on-the-ground preventative action against aquatic invasive species.
Canada’s fish and seafood industry contributes over $8 billion to the economy, provides over 63,000 jobs, and exports $8.5 billion in products. It helps support coastal and rural economies while supplying seafood markets around the world. Fishing is subject to various regulations that are necessary to safeguard our ocean resources, to keep workers safe, and to ensure independent harvesters can participate in this culturally important industry. The Government of Canada is working to make regulations clearer and reducing unnecessary red tape, while supporting a strong and sustainable fishing industry.
Canada’s fisheries drive coastal economies, supporting livelihoods and keeping traditions alive. Harvesters and fishery stakeholders share Canada’s oceans with numerous whale species, including the endangered North Atlantic right whale, which remains vulnerable to entanglement in fishing gear.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) recognizes that the American eel (Anguilla rostrata) is culturally and spiritually important for many Indigenous communities in Atlantic Canada, Quebec, and Ontario, and that it also supports valuable fisheries on the East Coast.
The European Green Crab is an aquatic invasive species in Canada that upsets the balance of our marine ecosystems. In Southwest New Brunswick, European Green Crab negatively impacts native species and habitats like eel grass, dulse beds and shellfish, which are culturally, ecologically and economically important to the area. Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) collaborates with harvesters, Indigenous communities and other partners to detect, monitor and limit the spread and damage of this aquatic invasive species.
As a result of an investigation by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), a Long Point area landowner was convicted and subsequently sentenced in the Ontario Court of Justice for a violation of the Species at Risk Act.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has shared its preliminary analysis and proposed course of action with FNC Quota Limited Partnership (FNC Quota)/Clearwater Seafoods Incorporated (Clearwater) and Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA)/Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) on the court-ordered redetermination involving Greenland halibut and northern shrimp fishing licences re-issued from Clearwater to FNC Quota. These licences authorize FNC Quota/Clearwater to fish in a number of areas, including Canadian fishing areas in Davis Strait.
Over the past several years, through extensive engagement with partners, stakeholders and Indigenous harvesters, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has moved forward with transforming the ownership and governance model of the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation (FFMC) to remain resilient and competitive in today’s open market and to continue to meet the needs of inland commercial fish harvesters now and into the future.
