Canadian Policies for Sustainable Fisheries

In April 2009, Fisheries and Oceans Canada introduced the Sustainable Fisheries Framework, an overarching policy framework to translate modern fishery concepts, like the precautionary and the ecosystem approach, into operational direction for fisheries management. The Sustainable Fisheries Framework provides the basis for ensuring Canadian fisheries are conducted in a manner which supports conservation and sustainable use. It incorporates existing fisheries management policies with new and evolving policies. The framework also includes tools to monitor and assess those initiatives geared towards ensuring an environmentally sustainable fishery, and identifies areas that may need improvement. Overall, the Sustainable Fisheries Framework provides the foundation of an ecosystem-based and precautionary approach to fisheries management in Canada. The Sustainable Fisheries Framework includes policies and tools such as: the Precautionary approach Framework (including the rebuilding guidelines); Forage Species Policy; Sensitive Benthic Areas Policy (including the Ecological risk assessment framework); and Bycatch Policy and Guidelines. Fisheries and Oceans Canada continues to elaborate new policies under the Framework is an ongoing process and we are working on developing new policy, as needed, for example the National Catch Monitoring Policy, and reviewing existing policies, such as the Emerging Fisheries Policy.