Summary of 2019 Sustainability Survey for Fisheries

Summaries for section 1 and 2 results of the 2019 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 176 stocks. Highlights of the results for this section include:

of the 176 stocks:

45% (80) have upper stock references
60% (107) have limit reference points
60% (106) have harvest control rules
60% (106) have removal references for the status zone the stock is currently in

of the 25 stocks currently classified as in the critical zone:

9 have a stock rebuilding plan
9 have rebuilding plans under development

of the 70 stocks classified as uncertain:

3 are at levels such that serious harm is likely
23 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 88% (154 of 176) of the 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 154 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 176 stocks. However, this policy hasn’t been fully implemented.

Retained bycatch

The fisheries on 60% (105 of 176) of the stocks have retained bycatch. For these:

82% (86 of 105) have fully or partially assessed the risks they pose to the retained bycatch
84% (88 of 105) have bycatch management measures fully or partially in place

70% (60 of 86) are fully or partially working to achieve their objectives

Non-retained bycatch

The fisheries on 70% (123 of 176) of the stocks have non-retained bycatch. For these:

82% (101 of 123) have fully or partially assessed the risks they pose to the non-retained bycatch
82% (101 of 123) have bycatch management measures fully or partially in place

67% (67 of 100) are fully or partially working to achieve their objectives

Species at Risk

The results show that fisheries on 65% (115 of 176) 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 91% (105 of 115) of these stocks.

Date modified:: 2021-03-22

Language selection

Search