Fisheries management decisions
On this page
Fisheries and Oceans Canada manages fisheries in accordance with the Fisheries Act, using credible, science-based, affordable and effective practices. Learn about our priorities for fisheries management and find past fisheries decisions.
Priorities
Key priorities for fisheries management in Canada include:
- economic viability
- environmental sustainability
- inclusion of stakeholders in decision-making processes
Fisheries decisions
Fisheries decisions set out the management measures for a specific fishing season. They’re generally divided by species (or group of species) and fishing area. Information in a fisheries decision may include:
- management plans
- total allowable catches
- opening and closing dates for the season
Certain fisheries are managed through multi-year Integrated fisheries management plans and rebuilding plans. In this case, seasonal adjustments may be made through the fisheries decision process and listed on this page.
Fisheries decisions within Canada’s 200-mile limit in Atlantic Canada, Quebec and the Arctic include fisheries off the coast of:
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Nova Scotia, Nunavut
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
Current year decisions
Past decisions for Atlantic Canada, Quebec and the Arctic
- 2022 fisheries decisions
- 2021 fisheries decisions
- 2020 fisheries decisions
- 2019 fisheries decisions
- 2018 fisheries decisions
- 2017 fisheries decisions
Fish stocks provisions
Fisheries and Oceans Canada manages major fish stocks listed in Schedule IX of the Fishery (General) Regulations in accordance with the fish stocks provisions (sections 6.1 to 6.3) of the Fisheries Act.
We must manage these major fish stocks at a sustainable level, or put in place rebuilding plans to rebuild depleted stocks.
- Sustainable Fisheries Framework - More information on how we meet these requirements
- Integrated Fisheries Management Plans - Find rebuilding plans that are in effect
Under the Act, we are required to publish notices of certain decisions made under the fish stocks provisions and their rationale. These include decisions where we have:
- implemented management measures to maintain a stock above its limit reference point for cultural reasons or to mitigate adverse socio-economic impacts
- adjusted a rebuilding plan to mitigate adverse socio-economic or cultural impacts
- extended the timeline for developing a rebuilding plan beyond 24-months
Notices of decision
Updates
- Fishery openings and closures - More information on ongoing fisheries management updates, including variation and prohibition orders
- Commercial fisheries - Information about fisheries management, including access and allocation to resources within Canada's fisheries
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