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Regulatory Stock Review Plan

Overview

The Regulatory Stock Review is designed to examine existing regulations that the Department is responsible for administering in order to support efficiencies, reduce costs, and improve opportunities for growth and innovation while strengthening underlying policy objectives for Canadians. As part of assessing new regulatory initiatives, Fisheries and Oceans Canada ensures that all aspects of the Regulatory Stock Review are considered and addressed in a timely and effective manner. This includes examining regulations that the Department is responsible for administering in order to:

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ Regulatory Stock Review Plan focuses on regulatory reviews that are identified as priorities for the Department, and that are expected to be  carried out over a five-year period. The Regulatory Stock Review is evergreen in nature and as such, will be adjusted and updated as required to reflect the Department’s regulatory priorities and/or changes to the operating environment.

When reviewing its regulatory stock, the Department will assess regulations and determine whether regulations should be:

Regulatory Stock Review Plan

Upcoming regulatory initiatives included in the Department’s Regulatory Stock Review are:

  1. Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative
  2. Oceans Plastics and Marine Litter
  3. Blue Economy Regulatory Review

Initiatives that are expected to be brought forward over a shorter time frame (3 years) can also be found in the Department’s Forward Regulatory Plan. Some of the initiatives in the Forward Regulatory Plan may be linked to the Regulatory Stock Review Plan.

Consult the following for information on supporting policies and government-wide regulatory initiatives:

1. Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative

Title or working title of the regulation(s)

Enabling Act(s)

Fisheries Act

Rationale

The British Columbia Sport Fishing Regulations (BCSFR) have been selected for a more fulsome review after multiple potential improvements to these regulations were identified to the Department’s internal regulatory advisory committee.

Narrative

In recent years, climate change, habitat loss and fishing pressures have negatively affected Pacific salmon at every stage of their lifecycle. The Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative (PSSI) is guiding a strategic and coordinated long term response to these issues, rooted in collaborative action, to stabilize and restore Pacific salmon and salmon habitat for the people, communities and ecosystems that depend upon their sustainability. The PSSI aims to stem the steep decline of many Pacific salmon populations and to protect and rebuild stocks where possible by implementing a series of immediate and long-term solutions that focus on 4 key areas:

Under the PSSI, DFO will review and update the recreational fisheries regulatory and licensing framework in the Pacific Region. New regulatory tools will be established to manage recreational fisheries more precisely to meet conservation goals for stocks of concern and minimize impacts to recreational fishing opportunities. To these ends, the British Columbia Sport Fishing Regulations (BCSFR) are being reviewed to ensure they continue to be appropriate and effective in the light of the Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative.

Date of last review or amendment (Year)

The BCSFR were last amended in 2019.

Targeted start for review (Year)

2023

Stakeholder Feedback (once complete):

N/A

Outcomes (once complete):

N/A

Departmental or agency contact

Glen Lehtovaara
Chief of Regulations, Pacific Region
Telephone: 250-895-0641
E-mail: glen.lehtovaara@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

2. Oceans Plastics and Marine Litter Program

Title or working title of the regulation(s)

Enabling Act(s)

Fisheries Act
Wrecked, Abandoned and Hazardous Vessels Act (WAHVA)

Rationale

Current regulations under the Fisheries Act constrain the ability of fish harvesters to retrieve abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) and derelict fishing gear (DFG) otherwise known as ghost gear, by placing limits on the types of gear harvesters may have onboard a vessel. DFO has committed to identifying impediments for industry-led ghost gear retrieval efforts through the Zero Plastic Waste Initiative by reviewing DFO legislation and regulations and establishing the best way forward to address these.

At this time the Department authorizes ALDFG retrieval and possession by third parties through licenses under the Fishery (General) Regulations. Following the launch of the Ghost Gear Fund in 2020, it was determined that WAHVA, having gained royal assent in 2019, also applies to this activity.

DFO continues to identify the best method to address regulatory impediments for ALDFG retrieval for the long term. 

Narrative

Each year, more than 8 million tonnes of plastic pollution enter the oceans from land, globally. Reducing plastic waste, marine litter and plastic pollution is a priority for the Government of Canada. One of the biggest threats to our oceans is marine litter and in particular, ghost fishing gear; any fishing gear that has been abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded. This marine pollution is some of the most harmful debris found in our oceans and can be fatal to fish, marine mammals and other marine life, poses a navigation hazard, and also breaks down into other forms of pollution such as micro-plastics.

Date of last review or amendment (Year)

Ongoing

Targeted start for review (Year)

Initiated in 2022

Stakeholder Feedback (once complete)

N/A

The feedback received during the Let’s Talk Federal Regulations on the Blue Economy Regulatory Review and the Sustainable Fishing Gear and Practices Consultation Theme suggested removing regulatory barriers that prevent fish harvesters from legally removing ghost gear during normal fishing activities and better advance the use of more sustainable gear.

Outcomes (once complete)

Ongoing
To date, through this regulatory review process, DFO has sought to define abandoned, lost and discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) and to differentiate between retrieving ALDFG and fishing. Several elements of this work may benefit from a more robust regulatory framework and possibly from stand alone regulatory tools that would be specific to retrieving ALDFG.

For further information please visit the Canada’s Oceans Agenda website.

Departmental or agency contact

Marina Petrovic
Assistant Director, Fisheries Resource Management – National Programs
Telephone: 613-203-4207
E-mail: Marina.Petrovic@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

3. Blue Economy Regulatory Review

Title or working title of the regulation(s)

TBD

Enabling Acts

Rationale

The Blue Economy Regulatory Review is looking at the role of regulation as a driver of  ocean innovation, regulatory and administrative barriers to environmentally sustainable growth, and ways to facilitate the development of agile regulations to address concerns of future oriented ocean industries The review is  examining regulatory practices that are bottlenecks to economic growth and innovation, while continuing to prioritize health, safety, security, and environmental responsibilities in the blue economy.

Targeted Regulatory Reviews were first announced in Budget 2018 and are now in their third round. The first round focused on agri-food and aquaculture; health and bio-sciences; and transportation and infrastructure. The second round focused on clean technology; digitalization and technology neutrality; and international standards. The third round is focusing on supply chains and the blue economy.

These Reviews lead to the development of plans of action called Regulatory Roadmaps, which are publicly released. The Roadmaps outline a suite of initiatives that participating departments and agencies will undertake to respond to feedback and issues identified by partners and stakeholders and may include legislative and regulatory changes, updated policies and practices, and opportunities to support emerging technologies.

Narrative

Oceans are vital to the livelihoods of communities across Canada, and we face unprecedented challenges and opportunities in our marine environment. One way the Government of Canada can promote innovation and growth in Canada’s oceans economy, or blue economy, is to examine regulatory frameworks.

The review is examining regulations and regulatory practices that are bottlenecks to economic growth and innovation, while continuing to prioritize health, safety, security, and environmental responsibilities in the blue economy.

Feedback to inform the Review was sought through an online  engagement via the Let’s Talk Federal Regulations (LTFR) platform from December 2022 to March 2023. These  engagements built off broader engagement to inform the development of a blue economy strategy and focused on five key themes:

The Blue Economy Regulatory Review will build on the feedback received on barriers, irritants, and bottlenecks in the current blue economy regulatory system to enable effective and targeted action.

Date of last review or amendment (Year)

Ongoing

Targeted start for review (Year)

2022

Stakeholder feedback (once complete)

Ongoing

Outcomes (once complete)

Ongoing

This review is a comprehensive exercise; DFO expects that as individual issues are identified, more targeted stock review initiatives will be identified and posted.

A roadmap will be developed following the review to serve as an action plan, outlining regulatory measures, that will better allow communities and businesses that rely on the ocean economy to grow in a responsible way, resulting in benefits for all Canadians.

For further information please visit the Blue Economy Strategy website.

Departmental or agency contact

Jennifer Chiasson
Manager, Engagement and Partnership
Blue Economy Secretariat
Telephone: 782-640-5260
E-mail: Jennifer.Chiasson@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

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