Book 2, Tab B4 - International landscape and key events

On this page

• International context for DFO
• International engagement
• Engagement mechanisms
• Objectives of international engagement
• International Fora

International context for DFO

Global context

Effective governance

• Multilateral and bilateral collaboration to develop solutions for ocean health
• Sustainable Development Goal 14 - Life below water: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources

Conservation

• Protect, conserve and restore the marine environment

Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing:

• Working with partners on technology, enforcement operations, and policy in the fight against IUU fishing

Sustainable ocean wealth

• Development of blue/sustainable ocean economies guided by sustainable ocean plans
• Efforts to enhance straddling and high seas fish stock sustainability

Climate change

• Significant role of the oceans in climate change mitigation
• Additional science required to underpin important decision-making
• Increasing focus on ensuring management is adaptive and robust to a changing climate

Safe and secure marine environment

• International standards and practices that promote safety at sea
• Increased environmental response coordination

Legal context

UNCLOS

United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982)

UN Fish Stocks

United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement (1995)

Regional fisheries

Regional Conventions and Agreements to regulate fishing (various)

Free trade agreements

E.g., Canada-US-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) and legal obligations

Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs)

E.g., Convention on Biological Diversity (1992)

International engagement

The Department works with international partners to advance Canada’s interests in the sphere of fisheries and oceans as well as in marine safety and security, through multilateral and bilateral engagements.

Biodiversity

• Influence multilateral conservation efforts in support of domestic objectives
• Advance progress on global marine conservation targets (30 per cent by 2030), including through ratification and implementation of BBNJ treaty
• Work to address marine plastic pollution
• Ensure new industries, such as seabed mining, are environmentally sustainable
• Incorporating climate change considerations in ocean governance

Economic

• Maintain access to and sustainably manage international fisheries, and combat IUU fishing
• Combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing through organizations, partnerships and initiatives under Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy.
• Ensure fair and equitable access to global markets
• Support development of sustainable ocean plans to guide blue/sustainable ocean economies
• Sustainable aquaculture collaboration
• Protect the economic and environmental viability of oceans to uphold the international rules-based order

Scientific

• Engage with international partners in scientific initiatives and research activities to support domestic and global policy making

Partner/stakeholder engagement

• Engage domestic and global partners and stakeholders on international issues
• Engage with international partners, bilaterally and multilaterally, on issues of joint concern
• Ensure equitable and inclusive engagement

Marine safety and security

• Work within global organizations, e.g. International Maritime Organization (IMO), International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA)
• Operational bilateral and regional engagements, e.g. Can-US Coast Guard Summit, North Pacific Coast Guard Forum, Arctic Coast Guard Forum Summit
• Inform and influence efforts of multilateral bodies, e.g. Arctic Council

Engagement mechanisms

Multilateral international organizations

• United Nations and associated bodies
• World Trade Organization (e.g., fish subsidies)
• International Union for Conservation of Nature
• Ocean science focused (e.g., ICES/PICES)

Regional fora

• Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs), e.g., Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO)
• North Atlantic Coast Guard Forum; North Pacific Coast Guard Forum; Arctic Coast Guard Forum; Coast Guard Global Summit

Bilateral meetings

• International counterparts
• Domestic stakeholders
• Environmental Non-governmental Organizations (ENGOs)
• Cooperation arrangements with Norway and Denmark
• CCG mechanisms:
  • CAN-US Coast Guard Summit
  • CCG MOU with UK
  • CCG MOU with Korea on personal exchange

Multilateral/plurilateral collaboration mechanisms

• Commonwealth
• G7/G20
• High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy
• Arctic Council
• Global Ocean Alliance (GOA)
• Americas for the Protection of the Ocean
• High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People (HAC)

Intra-governmental

• Working with other government departments on cross-cutting issues, e.g., climate change; safety and security; and to encourage rules-based order

Objectives of international engagement

Marine conservation and restoration

Champion measures that conserve and restore biodiversity while also delivering climate, food, socioeconomic and cultural benefits

Increase ocean science

Working with global partners to increase innovative, solution-based science to build our collective understanding of the ocean and to inform policy and decision-making.

Sustainable ocean/blue economies

Food security and socio-economic opportunities through sustainable ocean use, including management of fish stocks; Ensure fair and equitable access to global markets

Engage stakeholders

Build equitable and inclusive relationships with stakeholders and Indigenous peoples on international issues

Marine safety and security

Enhancing Canada’s ability and efficiency in responding to incidents in areas of joint responsibilities (Arctic, North Atlantic, North Pacific, Great Lakes), and influencing and abiding to international standards and practices in marine safety (International Maritime Organization).

International fora

Key international fora of interest on the horizon:

• Canadian leadership
• International trade
• International fisheries
• Stakeholder engagement

Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) annual meeting

Victoria, BC – August 7 to 11, 2023

• Negotiate binding regulations for tuna fisheries in the eastern Pacific Ocean

Global Environment Facility, 7th Assembly

Vancouver, BC – August 22-26, 2023

• Highlight the role of partnerships in advancing domestic and international marine conservation targets

G20 Summit

New Delhi, India – September 9-10, 2023

• Canadian leadership on oceans issues

Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) annual meeting

Vigo, Spain – September 18 to 22, 2023

• Negotiate binding regulations for high seas fisheries in the northwest Atlantic Ocean

United Nations General Assembly High Level Week

New York City – September 18-22, 2030

• Signing ceremony for BBNJ treaty (Sept. 20)
• Ocean Panel Leaders’ meeting (Sept. 20)

Arctic Circle Assembly

Reykjavik, Iceland – October 19-21, 2023

• Opportunity to sign a Letter of Intent for the conservation and joint management of the Pikialasorsuaq, with Greenland

International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) Annual Meeting

Cairo, Egypt – November 13 to 20, 2023

• Negotiate binding regulations for tuna fisheries in the Atlantic Ocean

UN Climate Change Conference 2023 (COP 28)

Dubai, UAE – November 30 to December 12, 2023

• Action towards achieving the world's collective climate goals as agreed under the Paris Agreement and the Convention

Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission

Rarotonga, Cook Islands – December 2 to 8, 2023

• Negotiate binding regulations for tuna fisheries in the western and central Pacific Ocean

Our Ocean Conference

Greece – March 2024

• Global marine conservation and sustainable ocean economies