Abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear, or ‘ghost gear,’ is a leading cause of marine debris around the world and has damaging impacts on global fish stocks and marine mammals. Through the Ghost Gear Program, the Government of Canada is working with partners to rid our oceans of ghost gear and create new solutions to reduce fishing debris. This work will help conserve and restore our marine environment to benefit marine life and coastal communities.
On July 2, 2021, Garry Dean Stoner was sentenced in Terrace Provincial Court after pleading guilty to 12 counts under the Fisheries Act for violations that occurred between June and September 2017, and in July and August 2018, in waters north of Haida Gwaii.
The Government of Canada continues to take action to protect the endangered North Atlantic right whale. For the second year in a row, there have been no reported deaths of North Atlantic right whales in Canadian waters. However, with recent estimates that only 336 North Atlantic right whales remain in the world, the Government of Canada continues to work with scientific experts, industry, Indigenous and non-Indigenous harvesters, environmental groups, and the United States’ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to protect and support the recovery of this species.
The Government of Canada is committed to advancing reconciliation. Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is actively working with First Nations across the Maritimes and the Gaspé region of Quebec to further implement their Treaty right to fish in pursuit of a moderate livelihood while maintaining a healthy fishery for all harvesters for generations to come.
The Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec announce more than $1 million in funding to improve the efficiency, quality and sustainability of Quebec’s fish and seafood sector. The Government of Canada’s contribution to these six projects in the Gaspé region is $895,761, and the Government of Quebec’s contribution is $383,899.
Canadian fishery officers have now completed their work in Operation North Pacific Guard, an annual international law enforcement operation in the high seas of the North Pacific with Canada’s counterparts from the United States, Korea and Japan. The operation largely took part aboard the US Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf and included the deployment of a Fisheries and Oceans Canada aircraft patrol based in Japan.
On September 13, 2021, in Campbell River Provincial Court, the Honourable Judge R. Lamperson found Nicklaus Templeman, the owner and operator of Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions, guilty of violations under both the Species At Risk and Federal Fisheries Acts.
Ottawa, ON – The Government of Canada is committed to renewing its relationship with Indigenous peoples. To this end, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) continues to work with First Nations across the Maritimes and the Gaspé region of Quebec on the ongoing implementation of their Treaty right to fish in pursuit of a moderate livelihood while maintaining a sustainable fishery for all harvesters.
The Government of Canada is committed to its relationship with Indigenous peoples and to honouring the Peace and Friendship Treaties between our nations. That is why Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has been working with the Listuguj Mi'gmaq Government (LMG) to implement fishing activities in a manner that is consistent with their rights, interests, and internal governance.
Canada’s fisheries are the backbone of many coastal communities and a driving force of the economy. The seafood sector is a rapidly shifting environment – competition is intensifying, and consumers are looking for sustainability and quality. That is why the Government of Canada and the Province of Prince Edward Island (PEI) are making strategic investments in the fish and seafood sector through the Atlantic Fisheries Fund.
