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SUBJECTS
Reporting on 1998-99 Performance
Sustainable Development
The main business of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) is sustainable development. The Minister has lead responsibility for the stewardship of the fisheries and ocean resources, for fish habitat protection, for protection of the public right of navigation, and for ensuring that Canadian waterways are used safely and in an environmentally sound manner for the benefit of Canadians.
Since the tabling of the Sustainable Development: A Framework for Action, the Departments sustainable development strategy, DFO has moved towards enshrining conservation as a key touchstone for departmental activities. It has begun to see progress on the goals identified in the strategy and, perhaps more importantly, has begun to put in place tools that will position DFO as a leader on the domestic and international front.
Goals
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Getting Our House in Order
A DFO National Environmental Coordinating Committee (NECC) has been established to provide leadership on environmental management for operations. A draft Environmental Policy for DFO Operations is being developed by the Committee. It is also leading the identification of operational priorities for management. The group has produced discussion papers that will form the basis for the implementation of an Environmental Management Framework, a risk assessment approach, and computerized information management systems, that will allow the department to rank for action the challenges it identifies and advance the management of specific challenges.
Identifying priorities is important in order to focus resources and ensure progress. Already in the queue for assessment and action are:
- contaminated sites assessment and inventory; and
- fuel tank compliance.
An environmental handbook has been distributed throughout the department. It is intended to increase awareness and understanding of environmental responsibilities related to conducting business in DFO. The guide sets out laws, regulations and policies that managers should be aware of.
In order to reduce pollution and increase economic efficiencies, the department has initiated the Green Ship and Green Base concept. Two ships, the Louis St. Laurent and the Simcoe, have been selected as models for DFO and other departments. The changes have led to improvements in waste management/recycling, reductions in fuel emissions, and adoption of environmentally friendly equipment and material.
The Maritime Environment
Approximately 6000 Marine Aids have been converted to solar power. This has led to reductions in the use of non-renewable energy resources, greenhouse gas emissions, and hazardous wastes. Cost savings to date, while not fully determined, have been estimated as much as $50 M.
The Fishery
A great deal of effort is being put into making the fishery self reliant and sustainable, taking into account the economic, environmental and social implications and realities of all decisions. Much progress has been made to reduce participation in and dependence on the fishery on both coasts. Major policy reviews have been launched on the Pacific and Atlantic Coasts. The goal is to advance the Fishery of the Future- a concept that focuses on conservation, sustainable development and more open transparent decision-making processes.
One of the cornerstones of the Fishery of the Future is Integrated Fishery Management Plans (IFMPs) that apply the precautionary principle in the harvesting of fisheries resources. IFMPs involve consultation, integrated planning and decision-making by DFO with the private sector (fishing organizations). To date, IFMPs have been developed for approximately 30 percent of the 110 management plans covering 150 fisheries over the next few years. Moreover, in order to promote greater stability with stakeholders, DFO will work on completing multiyear IFMPs.
Linked to the IFMP process is the development and implementation of co-management within the commercial fishing sector. This initiative allows fishermen to become more involved in the management of the fishery. Co-management arrangements are also made with Aboriginal organizations to increase their role in fisheries management. Co-management supports the vision of a healthy and abundant fishery supporting sustainable uses by providing more stability in the management of the fishery.
Paralleling integrated planning efforts, is a new initiative, which focuses on the compliance aspects of fisheries management. Integrated Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (IMCS) is a conservation-based, risk management approach which is designed to redeploy surveillance and enforcement resources towards current compliance problems (at-sea dumping, discarding and highgrading) as well as currently under-resourced areas such as emerging fisheries, unlicensed fishing and habitat monitoring and enforcement. IMCS will also involve forging a new relationship with licensed fishers resulting in a shift in the onus for compliance to resource users.
Consistent with the FAO Code of Conduct, the Canadian Code of Conduct for Responsible Fishing Operations includes principles and guidelines for all commercial fishing operations in Canadian waters. Principles include:
- ecological sustainability;
- the reduction of unintended by-catch;
- reduction of waste; and
- reduction of adverse impacts on freshwater and marine ecosystems.
Technology development for gear selectivity, technology transfer and training are other key elements of this initiative.
Managing Fish Habitat
The achievement of the No Net Loss (NNL) principle is central to the conservation goal outlined in the DFO’s Policy for the Management of Fish Habitat. In order to provide for a practical and nationally consistent approach to achieving NNL, the Department has published a document entitled: Decision Framework for the Determination and Authorization of Harmful Alteration, Disruption or Destruction of Fish Habitat. It provides a framework for determining if a harmful alternation of fish habitat will occur as a result of a proposed work, and whether an authorization under ss.35 (2) of the Fisheries Act should be issued. Preventing HADD of fish habitat is the first priority in this decision-making process. The Habitat Conservation and Protection Guidelines, which describe an overall framework for the review, assessment and approval of projects with potential to affect fish habitat, has also been updated.
The Department is actively working with representatives from several industrial sectors on the development of various guidance documents, ensuring the integration of fish habitat conservation with economic development. Ongoing discussions with the Canadian Electrical Association and the involvement of DFO on the Canadian Pipeline Water Crossing Committee (CPWCC) are such examples of the Department’s commitment to a proactive approach with industry. DFO’s Regional habitat management staff is also participating in meetings and planning processes with industry to promote and facilitate the integration of fish habitat conservation objectives and requirements in the planning, design, construction and operation of development projects.
DFO is proposing to delegate certain habitat management responsibilities to inland Provinces. In order to achieve this goal, the Department has initiated discussions with Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, identifying Principles for Delegation of Freshwater Fish Habitat Management that would apply should delegation agreements be reached with these Provinces. The Principles reflect federal and provincial commitment to the conservation and protection of fish habitat, through the implementation of the DFO Policy for the Management of Fish Habitat.
Scientific knowledge
Stock assessments of major exploited stocks were completed for the benefit of the fishing industry and for public information. New knowledge and information on ecological and environmental factors affecting productivity of the oceans are becoming an integral part of the stock assessment review process. A major study on the factors regulating the productivity of cod stocks has been completed and is being published.
The Department is a major partner in the Canadian Global Ecosystems Program, a collaborative project of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, universities and DFO, studying how the abundance, distribution and productivity of marine populations respond to variability in their physical environment.
DFO has involved external practitioners of science and key clients to improve the transparency of the resource assessment process, augmenting the credibility of the resulting scientific advice and favouring the compliance with conservation measures aimed at promoting a sustainable fishery. Representatives from academia and the industry now participate in the peer review- assessment process with DFO scientists.
Projects aimed at developing diagnostic tests for important salmon pathogens and at developing indices of shellfish and finfish production capacity has been pursued. The results of these projects will contribute to a more economically sound, self-sustaining and competitive aquaculture industry.
The precautionary approach is being incorporated into fisheries assessments on selected species to develop new methods to express uncertainty in scientific advice related to fish stocks. This formal inclusion into the assessment process will facilitate the public and stakeholder understanding of the role of scientific advice in management decisions underpinned by the precautionary approach.
International Arena
Historically, over 80 % of Canada’s fishery and aquaculture production (by value) has been exported. In recognition of the importance of international trade and investment to the industry, DFO has been working with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT), industry representatives, and the provinces on initiatives designed to eliminate trade barriers and open markets for fish exports. DFO is playing a lead role in the Accelerated Tariff Liberalization initiative for fish and fish products at the WTO, and is deeply involved in the negotiations toward a free trade agreement with the European Free Trade Area (EFTA). These initiatives will provide improved and more stable market access for fish and seafood exports, and they will have a beneficial impact on the incomes and profitability of fishermen, fish farmers and fish processors.
With the assistance of an interdepartmental working group, the Department led the Government of Canada’s participation in the ‘Oceans and Seas’ segment of the Seventh Session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development. Canada’s positions on domestic and international fisheries and oceans issues were promoted at and represented within the recommendations at not only this meeting but at the Second London Oceans Workshop as well.
Oceans Agenda
In addition to the development of a Marine Protected Area (MPA) policy and strategic framework for implementation of the MPA Program, five pilot projects have been initiated. As the Program develops, work with stakeholders to identify marine areas in need of special protection and with other government departments to develop a national network of MPAs will continue.
In order to test local integrated planning processes and develop effective mechanisms and arrangements for the management of oceans resources, DFO has initiated two Integrated Management (IM) Pilot Projects.
Scientific research and the development of a Marine Ecosystem Health Assessment Framework initiated to support the IM and MPA pilot projects are ongoing initiatives. Preliminary work to identify Marine Environmental Quality standards, guidelines and criteria was also begun.
Director General
Strategic Priorities and Planning
Tel: (613) 990-0146
Director
Change Management
Tel: (613) 990-7153
