Canada’s oceans are facing increasing impacts from climate change, including species decline, biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation, harm from aquatic invasive species, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and the effects from waste and other pollutants. In response to these challenges, Canada is collaborating internationally with maritime nations across the globe to better protect our oceans for present and future generations.
On the Pacific Coast of Canada, the lucrative commercial prawn fishery is a significant source of revenue for commercial harvesters, as well as providing processing-related jobs that benefit coastal communities.
Protecting fish and fish habit is vital to help sustain and support Canada’s precious marine species. Under Canada’s Fisheries Act, measures must be taken to avoid causing the death of fish and any harmful alteration, disruption or destruction of fish habitat when conducting any work or activities in or near water.
Globally, illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing is a major contributor to declining fish stocks and the destruction of marine habitats. IUU fishing also undermines the livelihoods of legitimate fish harvesters and impacts food security in vulnerable coastal communities, affecting millions of people.
On February 14, 2025, in Courtenay Provincial Court, the Honourable Judge B.E. Hutcheson found Richmond resident Diosa Delacruz guilty of retaining more than the daily quota for clams and oysters and for fishing without a British Columbia (B.C.) Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licence. Ms. Delacruz was fined a total of $5,000 and was banned from fishing for one year. Her fishing companion, Nanaimo resident Rosemarie Allam, was found guilty by the Honourable Judge D.M.D. Stewart, in an earlier court appearance in August 2024, of daily quota violations, and for failing to comply with her conditions of licence. She was fined a total of $4,500 and received a two-year fishing ban.
Bounded by three oceans—the Pacific, Arctic and Atlantic—Canada is home to the longest coastline and some of the best quality fish and seafood products. We are known for our high standards for sustainability and food safety. Our premium fish and seafood continues to be prized around the world.
On February 21, 2025, in Courtenay Provincial Court, the Honourable Judge B. Hutcheson found Scarborough resident Raul Dumelod guilty of catching and retaining oysters over the daily limit, and of fishing without a valid licence in Buckley Bay, British Columbia (B.C.). Dumelod was charged in August of 2024 and fined a total of $5,500.
Today, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier announced Canada’s first ever conservation strategy to restore and rebuild wild Atlantic salmon populations and their habitats.
Today, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, announced over $7.6 million in funding for four projects in British Columbia under the Aquatic Ecosystems Restoration Fund (AERF). This fund supports aquatic restoration projects helping to address the root causes of impacts to coastal and marine environments, including Canada’s coastline, estuaries, and inland regions.
Recent detections of MSX disease, or multinucleate sphere unknown X (MSX), in Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.) and New Brunswick, have posed significant challenges for the oyster industry across Atlantic Canada.
