Regulations regarding rebuilding plans and the listing of major fish stocks

Enabling act(s): Fisheries Act

Description of the objective

Regulations are proposed to be developed to support the implementation of the proposed Fish Stocks provisions of the Fisheries Act (Bill C-68), which is currently under review by the Senate. Amongst other things, the Fish Stocks provisions would require the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans to:

  • Maintain major fish stocks at sustainable levels (section 6.1); and
  • Develop rebuilding plans for stocks that have declined to their critical zone (section 6.2).

To support the implementation of those provisions, it is proposed that the Fishery (General) Regulations be amended to:

  1. Prescribe the major stocks that will be subject to sections 6.1 and 6.2 in Bill C-68; and 
  2. Set out the contents of stock rebuilding plans for stocks that have declined to the critical zone. 

The proposed regulations would strengthen the Department’s Sustainable Fisheries Framework, in particular the implementation of The Fishery Decision-making Framework Incorporating the Precautionary Approach (2009).

Indication of business impacts

Business impacts may be limited. The proposed regulations introduce process requirements that build upon existing policies.  The “One-for-One” Rule and/or Small Business Lens do not apply.

Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)

There is no regulatory cooperation for this initiative.

Public consultation opportunities

The Department consulted both nationally and regionally on the proposed regulatory approach from December 2018 to February 2019. An additional consultation opportunity will be provided during the pre-publication of the proposed regulations in Canada Gazette, Part I, which is anticipated to occur during the 2019-2021 planning period.

Further information

Departmental contact

Marc Clemens
Manager, National Fisheries Policy
Telephone: 613-404-8587
Fax: 613-990-4111
Email: marc.clemens@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Date the regulatory initiative was first included in the Forward Regulatory Plan: 2018

Date modified: