From the
smallest sea creature, to the largest commercial fishing
vessel, Fisheries and Oceans Canada works to manage and
protect the Canadian marine environment in the three
oceans that surround Canada.
In the Pacific Region alone, there are over 27,000
kilometres of coastline and hundreds of fish species to
protect, manage and enhance. What’s more, there are
Aboriginal fishing agreements, a wide range of
consultations, habitat restoration projects, work
towards marine protected areas, and thousands of fishing
licences in the commercial and recreational sectors.
In the Pacific Region,
the Department oversees west coast marine resources and
the inland fisheries of the Yukon Territory. Because the
region is entrusted with managing and protecting Pacific
salmon, it is involved with 105 river systems in British
Columbia as well as transboundary northern rivers: the
Stikine and Taku. There are 37 Fisheries and Oceans
Canada offices and stations throughout BC and the Yukon
that operate with an approximate annual budget of $250
million.
In carrying out Fisheries
and Oceans’ mandate, over 2200 employees are engaged
in diverse and challenging tasks and activities
throughout the region. Working from offices, field
camps, ships and helicopters, their roles are numerous
and range from patrol and research vessel officers and
crew to Aboriginal and community liaison officers,
enforcement officers , scientists of all disciplines,
and policy analysts and advisors.