Summary of 2017 Sustainability Survey for Fisheries

Summaries for section 1 and 2 results of the 2017 Sustainability Survey for Fisheries.

Precautionary Approach Policy

The results show that reference points and harvest control rules of the Precautionary Approach Policy have been put in place for many, but not all, of the 179 stocks. Highlights of the results for this section include:

of the 179 stocks:

45% (80 of 179) have upper stock references
59% (105 of 179) have limit reference points
56% (101 of 179) have harvest control rules
37% (67 of 179) have removal references for the status zone the stock is currently in

of the 18 stocks currently classified as in the critical zone:

4 have a stock rebuilding plan
another 7 of 18 stocks have rebuilding plans under development

of the stocks classified as uncertain:

3 are at levels such that serious harm is likely
19 are at levels such that serious harm is possible

Some of the questions in this section are used to report on indicators in the Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators report.

Status of integrated fishery management plans

The results show that 76% (137 of 179) of the 179 stocks are part of an Integrated Fisheries Management Plan (IFMP). The fisheries on these stocks are managed using the IFMP.

Currently, there are 64 IFMPs covering 137 stocks. However, in some cases, IFMPs need to be updated.

In the absence of an IFMP, some of the stocks are managed using other types of fishery management plans, such as a Conservation Harvesting Plan.

Implementation of the Policy for Managing Bycatch

The results show that elements of the Policy for Managing Bycatch have been implemented in some of the fisheries on the 179 stocks. However, this policy hasn’t been fully implemented.

Retained bycatch

The fisheries on 57% (103 of 179) of the stocks have retained bycatch. For these:

85% (88 of 103) have fully or partially assessed the risks they pose to the retained bycatch
84% (87 of 103) have bycatch management measures fully or partially in place
69% (60 of 87) are fully or partially working to achieve their objectives

Non-retained bycatch

The fisheries on 69% (124 of 179) of the stocks have non-retained bycatch. For these:

80% (100 of 124) have fully or partially assessed the risks they pose to the non-retained bycatch
82% (102 of 124) have bycatch management measures fully or partially in place
67% (69 of 102) are fully or partially working to achieve their objectives

Species at Risk

The results show that fisheries on 51% (92 of 179) of the stocks interact with aquatic species listed under the Species at Risk Act.

Where interactions do occur, fishery management measures to mitigate the risks to these species are in place in fisheries on 81% (75 of 92) of these stocks.

Date modified:: 2019-03-15

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