Sustainable Fisheries Framework

The Sustainable Fisheries Framework provides the basis for ensuring that Canadian fisheries support conservation and sustainable use of resources.

The framework:

• establishes a precautionary approach to fisheries management
• provides the basis for an ecosystem approach to fisheries management
• includes tools to monitor and assess environmentally sustainable initiatives
• combines new and evolving fisheries management policies with current ones

We developed the framework through public consultation. We’ll use it with other policies and initiatives to develop environmentally sustainable fisheries. This supports economic prosperity in the industry and in fishing communities.

Conservation and sustainable use policies

We’ve adopted policies that use precautionary approaches and support the adoption of ecosystem approaches into fisheries management decisions. They help us to:

• keep our fish stocks healthy
• protect biodiversity and fisheries habitats
• make sure our fisheries remain productive

Policies showing Canada’s commitment to the precautionary approach and the ecosystem approach to fisheries management include:

• A Fishery Decision-Making Framework Incorporating the Precautionary Approach
  • Guidelines for Implementing the Fish Stocks Provisions in the Fisheries Act
  • Guidelines for writing rebuilding plans per the Fish Stocks Provisions and A Fishery Decision-making Framework Incorporating the Precautionary Approach
• Fishery Monitoring Policy
  • Introduction to the procedural steps for implementing the Fishery Monitoring Policy
• Policy on Managing Bycatch
  • Guidance on Implementation of the Policy on Managing Bycatch
• Policy for Managing the Impacts of Fishing on Sensitive Benthic Areas
  • Ecological Risk Assessment Framework (ERAF) for Coldwater Corals and Sponge Dominated Communities
• Policy on New Fisheries for Forage Species

Other conservation and sustainable use policies include:

• Wild Salmon Policy (Pacific)
• Canada’s Policy for the Conservation of Wild Atlantic Salmon

We may add new policies on relevant topics to the framework over time.

Planning and monitoring tools

Planning and monitoring tools that let us apply sustainable use policies to fisheries management include:

• Sustainability Survey for Fisheries
• Integrated fisheries management plans
• Application of the Sustainable Fisheries Framework through the integrated fisheries management planning process
• Sustainable Fisheries Framework Work Plan