Fisheries Act updates to support habitat restoration and the rebuilding of fish stocks

Learn how the modernized Fisheries Act helps restore damaged habitat and rebuild depleted fish stocks.

What’s changed in the Fisheries Act

The modernized Fisheries Act provides a greater ability to create regulations related to the rebuilding of fish stocks and restoration of fish habitat.

It requires the Minister to:

• consider whether:
  • proposed development projects give priority to the restoration of degraded fish habitats
  • there are measures in place aimed at restoring the habitat of a major stock listed in regulation that is depleted when the Minister is of the opinion that habitat loss or degradation has contributed to the stock’s decline
• develop and implement rebuilding plans for major stocks listed in regulation that are depleted
• implement management measures that will maintain major fish stocks listed in regulation at levels needed to promote sustainability

These changes also require that we create and publish habitat restoration plans on a public registry after designating an area as ecologically significant and needing habitat restoration.

These additions to the Fisheries Act will:

• support sustainable fisheries
• contribute to healthier, more abundant fish stocks
• help create more stable and resilient aquatic ecosystems
• strengthen Canada’s legislative framework for managing fisheries
• offer greater potential for long-term economic prosperity in Canada’s fishing communities

Why we need these changes

The modernized Act provides more tools for addressing habitat restoration and sustainable fisheries decision making. These new measures and plans will help maintain and rebuild fish stocks to ensure sustainable fisheries over the long term.

Restoration helps repair past harm to habitat and helps fish populations recover from factors such as:

• climate change
• economic pressures
• environmental conditions
• damage and loss of habitat

Related information

• Protecting biodiversity and addressing threats
• Reconciliation with Indigenous peoples
• Supporting independent fishers
• Protecting fish and fish habitat
• Better management of projects