The fishing industry

Members of the commercial fishing industry are among the Canadians most directly affected by the Species at Risk Act (SARA). Fisheries and Oceans Canada recognizes this and has worked closely and constantly with fishers to inform them of the Act and its implications.

In reality, the consequences of SARA will vary considerably depending on where you fish and what you catch. Possible changes could include restrictions on bycatch; fishing gear modifications; fishing area closures; fishing season closures; and closures or reductions in traditional fisheries.

Importantly, any new measures will be defined through the recovery strategies and actions plans currently under development—in collaboration and consultation with the fishing industry.

Two priorities

Fisheries and Oceans Canada is committed to protecting our country’s aquatic species and to fostering a viable commercial fishing industry. To achieve these aims, the department will continue to work with other government bodies and stakeholder groups to develop solutions that result in safe, healthy, productive waters and ecosystems for the benefit of present and future generations.

The Fishing Industry and the Species at Risk Act

Like many people involved in Canada’s commercial fishery, you probably have questions about the country’s new Species at Risk Act (SARA) and what it means for you. While the specifics vary depending on the fish you catch, there are some important and helpful things to understand in general about the Act.

What it’s all about

The Species at Risk Act was created to prevent wildlife species from becoming extinct. It requires Canada to provide for the recovery of species at risk due to human activity, and to manage species of special concern, making sure they don’t become endangered or threatened. SARA not only prohibits the killing, harming, harassing, capturing or taking of species at risk, but also makes it illegal to destroy their critical habitats.

Obviously, no single organization or entity can be responsible on its own for achieving the goals of SARA. Governments and stakeholder groups across Canada must all work together. In fact, the Act was designed to encourage such cooperation.

So, while the fishing industry has a role to play in meeting the requirements of SARA—a role that will demand some changes in the ways the industry operates—it won’t be acting alone.

Working together

Under SARA, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) must produce recovery strategies and action plans for aquatic species listed as endangered or threatened. Recovery strategies for endangered fish and marine species listed under SARA must be developed within a year of their addition to SARA. For threatened or extirpated (extinct in Canada) species, recovery strategies must be developed within two years. These recovery strategies are developed in close collaboration with the fishing industry.

At DFO, we’re working closely with fishers to ensure that the protective measures we develop as part of these strategies and plans are practical, effective, and in keeping with a sound fisheries management approach.

Specific measures could be required for any given fishery. The possibilities include:

• restrictions on bycatch of listed species
• modifications of fishing gear
• modifications of fishing season openings
• fishing area closures
• closures or reductions in fisheries

Obviously, we want to ensure that a sustainable fishing industry can be maintained while meeting the requirements of SARA to protect species at risk. That’s why all measures will be developed by DFO in collaboration with the affected fisheries.

How do species get on the list?

Species are designated at risk by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), an independent body of experts that assesses wildlife according to a broad range of scientific data. The federal Cabinet then decides whether those species should be listed under the Species at Risk Act. This decision is made after consultations with affected stakeholders and other groups.

Key steps in the process:

1. COSEWIC assesses and designates a species
2. DFO consults with stakeholders and the Minister of the Environment provides advice to Cabinet
3. Cabinet determines whether to list species under SARA
4. DFO updates fisheries management plans to comply with SARA
5. DFO develops recovery strategies with fishing industry and provincial and territorial governments
6. DFO develops compliance program

Species on the list

Whenever a species is considered for listing under SARA, the potential impact on commercial fisheries will always be taken into account. Many of the listed species are caught as bycatch in commercial fisheries. These include leatherback turtles, inner Bay of Fundy Atlantic salmon, and Northern and spotted wolffish. Of note among the species being considered for addition to the SARA list are:

• the cusk
• several populations of Atlantic cod
• bocaccio
• Sakinaw and Cultus Lake sockeye
• interior Fraser River coho

For a full list, please contact Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

Key features of the Act for fishers

The Species at Risk Act became law in June 2003. Enforcement began in June 2004, meaning it is now illegal to harm or kill species listed under SARA, or to destroy their critical habitats. For certain, commercial fishers need to know what steps they should take to comply with the Act.

Recovery strategies for species listed under the Act can take up to two years to be developed. In the interim, the relevant fisheries management plans have been modified to include new management measures that commercial fishers must put into immediate action. These modifications were developed in consultation with the fishing industry.

In certain cases, the restriction against harming or killing species at risk may be modified. For example, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans can issue permits under SARA, which allow for a limited amount of bycatch of listed species, so long as the level of bycatch does not jeopardize the survival or recovery of the species.

These permits will be granted only after DFO conducts a scientific assessment to fully understand the impact of commercial fisheries on listed species at risk.

For more information

To find out more about SARA, please visit:

• Species at Risk Public Registry
• or contact DFO