Canadian Code of Conduct
for Responsible Fishing Operations
CONSENSUS CODE 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Canadian fishing industry is committed to the achievement of
sustainability in marine and freshwater fisheries. The industry has therefore
developed this Code of Conduct for Responsible Fishing Operations as an
essential step in pursuit of this objective.
The Canadian Code of Conduct for Responsible Fishing Operations outlines
general principles and guidelines for all commercial fishing operations that
take place in Canadian waters. Implementation of the Code will contribute
directly to the conservation of stocks and the protection of the aquatic
environment for present and future generations of Canadians.
Bearing in mind that Canada played a leading role in the development of the
U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Code of Conduct for Responsible
Fisheries, this Canadian Code of Conduct is consistent with, and in no way
diminishes, the FAO Code.
The Canadian Code of Conduct is based on the following fundamental points of
agreement:
- That the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fishing Operations is applicable
for all participants in commercial fishing operations in Canadian waters;
- That there are four distinct fishing regions in Canada: Atlantic, Pacific,
Arctic and inland fisheries, and each region will require specific mechanisms
and regulations to address the unique problems and needs of their fisheries;
- That nothing in this Code will serve to justify or impose any allocation
or sharing of freshwater or marine resources;
- That Conservation Harvesting Plans or Fisheries Management Plans should
incorporate the Code of Conduct.
In developing this Code, Canadian commercial fish harvesters expect that
other users of marine and freshwater resources will develop their own codes of
conduct within the FAO framework to contribute to the sustainability of those
resources. It is also expected that Canadian fisheries regulatory agencies will
take appropriate steps to bring their fisheries management policies and
practices into line with this Code and will make themselves accountable to the
resources users in this regard.
The Code of Conduct for Responsible Fishing Operations articulated by
Canadian fish harvesters has at its core a philosophy of responsible fishing.
Based on this philosophy, fish harvesters who have ratified this Code will
pursue the following principles:
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Principle #1
Fish harvesters will take appropriate measures to ensure fisheries are
harvested and managed responsibly to safeguard sustainable use of Canada's
freshwater and marine resources and their habitats for present and future
generations of Canadians.
For the purposes of this Code, sustainability is understood to mean the
harvesting of a stock in such a way, and at a rate, that does not threaten the
health of the stock, or inhibit its recovery if it has previously been in
decline, thereby maintaining its potential to meet the needs and aspirations of
present and future generations of fish harvesters.
Principle #2
Taking into account the economic importance of the fisheries to industry
participants and their communities, fish harvesters will take appropriate
measures to pursue the ecological sustainability of Canadian fisheries.
Principle #3
Fish harvesters will acknowledge that conservation and sustainable use of
freshwater and marine resources is a shared responsibility, and requires a
spirit of cooperation, among all industry participants and the appropriate
regulatory authorities.
Principle #4
Fish harvesters will address problems of fisheries in Canada, adopting
specific mechanisms and regulations as required.
Principle #5
Fish harvesters will work to balance the level of fishing effort with the
sustainable supply of fisheries' resources to ensure responsible management and
responsible professional harvesting.
Principle #6
To the extent practical, fish harvesters will minimize unintended bycatch and
reduce waste and adverse impacts on the freshwater and marine ecosystems and
habitats to ensure healthy stocks.
Principle #7
Fish harvesters will develop, maintain and promote public awareness and
understanding of the issues surrounding responsible fishing and the measures
taken by fishers to conserve stocks and protect the environment.
Principle #8
Fish harvesters will promote the recognition of their specialized knowledge
gained through experience, and the integration of this knowledge within
scientific analyses and fisheries management policies and regulations.
Principle #9
Fish harvesters will conduct harvesting operations in accordance with
Canadian fisheries' laws and regulations; international laws, regulations,
conventions, declarations and protocols adopted by Canada; and harvesting plans
adopted by each fishery.
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Guideline #1.1
Apply sustainable fishing principles and sustainable fisheries development to
all aspects of fish harvesting and management of fisheries.
Guideline #1.2
Practice environmentally sound waste management in all aspects of harvesting
operations.
Guideline #1.3
Optimize energy consumption in fishing operations where possible.
Guideline #1.4
Adopt practices that would minimize emissions of dangerous substances arising
from harvesting operations to meet national standards.
Guideline #1.5
Establish fisheries policies in full consultation with management and other
regulatory agencies to ensure conservation of fish resources and protection of
the environment.
Guideline #1.6
Recognize and support efforts to balance the economic needs of fish
harvesters and industry with the short- and long-term needs of resource
sustainability.
Guideline #1.7
Work in full consultation with management, other regulatory agencies, and all
interested groups to consider the possible introduction of marine protected
areas.
Guideline #2.1
Develop protocols (including, when practical and appropriate, the use of
selective fishing gears and practices) regarding the catch of non-targeted
resources which jeopardize the health of the stocks.
Guideline #2.2
Use only gear authorized for use in a particular fishery.
Guideline #2.3
Ensure fishing activities are not conducted in a fashion that would endanger
fish stocks or the environment.
Guideline #2.4
Conduct, in consultation with relevant sectors, research to assess fishing
gears, and promote and utilize new fishing gears and practices which are
consistent with sustainable fishing practices.
Guideline #2.5
Assist, initiate, and participate in research and assessment initiatives
aimed at resource and environmental protection.
Guideline #2.6
Employ fishing practices that minimize the risk of gear loss.
Guideline #2.7
Establish jointly with regulatory agencies protocols for the marking,
retrieving and reporting of lost gear.
Guideline #2.8
Make every reasonable effort to retrieve lost fishing gear, reporting all
lost gear.
Guideline #3.1
In conjunction with the relevant regulatory agencies, establish and comply
with guidelines for vessel maintenance and operation that ensure and safeguard a
healthy environment for crew members.
Guideline #3.2
Mark vessels and gear in accordance with systems adopted by Canada's
regulatory agencies so that vessels are easily identified.
Guideline #3.3
Avoid interfering with fisheries operations being carried out by other
vessels.
Guideline #3.4
Maintain the quality of the catch.
Guideline #4.1
Where appropriate, establish, in consultation with relevant regulatory
agencies and industry groups, effective monitoring systems to monitor and
evaluate the adherence to sustainable development principles and practices.
Guideline #5.1
Establish and maintain a spirit of co-operation with those involved in
fisheries operations, management, science, and technology.
Guideline #5.2
Co-operate with management and science to develop policy and action plans for
sustainable fishing operations.
Guideline #5.3
Assist with the establishment of effective mechanisms to ensure consultation
and active participation of fish harvesters in the planning, development,
conservation, and management of Canadian fisheries, recognizing that full
co-operation among gear sectors and species-specific fisheries will facilitate
conservation and sustainable use of freshwater and marine resources.
Guideline #5.4
Acknowledge and embrace the interdependence of harvesting operations and
fisheries management
Guideline #5.5
Cooperate with fisheries management to integrate and balance the experience,
expertise, and acquired knowledge of practicing professional fish harvesters
with the best scientific research available.
Guideline #5.6
Cooperate with industry and other fish harvesters to identify issues related
to protection of the resource and the environment.
Guideline #5.7
Cooperate with appropriate regulatory authorities to establish sound waste
management policies and procedures.
Guideline #5.8
Cooperate with appropriate regulatory agencies to investigate ways and
methods to optimize fuel consumption and other energy savings and to establish
energy conservation policies and procedures.
Guideline #5.9
Cooperate with fisheries management to address problems experienced by
individual Canadian fisheries and where there is a shared or overlapping
jurisdiction, work cooperatively towards a fair and agreed basis for conducting
individual fisheries.
Guideline #6.1
Assist in the development of and participate in education and training
programs that emphasize responsible fishing and sustainable development
practices.
Guideline #6.2
Promote the development of education and training programs designed to
enhance the skills of responsible fishing adapted to specific fisheries.
Guideline #6.3
Participate in the planning and implementation of research and assessment
initiatives aimed at protecting the biodiversity of the freshwater and marine
ecosystems and their habitats.
Guideline #6.4
Collect and provide research and assessment data related to fishing
activities.
Guideline #6.5
Support research initiatives aimed at minimizing adverse impacts to the
resource and the environment.
Guideline #7.1
Assist in the promotion of public awareness and understanding of the issues
and benefits surrounding responsible fishing, the industry's involvement in
sustainable development initiatives, and measures taken to conserve fish stocks
and protect the aquatic environment.
Guideline #7.2
Assist in the dissemination of information to the general public and to fish
harvesters and their organizations regarding conservation principles,
conservation measures taken by fish harvesters, and rules and regulations
formulated in consultation with management.
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ANNEX 1 Plan for Governance and Ratification of the
Canadian Code of Conduct for Responsible Fishing Operations
1. OPERATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
This approach is based on the following considerations:
- The Code will, of necessity, be a "living document" subject to continuing
revision and elaboration.
- The Code will be managed by a newly created Industry Board reflecting the
character and nature of Canada's fishing industry.
- Implementation of the Code will require the services of a Secretariat to
support the full and effective participation of industry.
- The new governance body for the Code will be structured to take account of
the limited financial resources available from government and industry.
1.1 Proposed Roles and Responsibilities for the Code Board
Following the National Fishing Industry Workshop the Code Steering Committee
will be replaced by a formally constituted National Board with the following
responsibilities:
- oversee the ratification of the Code, ensuring that all industry
organizations are included in the process and that the process is fully
transparent;
- conduct annual meetings to address proposals for changes to the Code text,
on the understanding that no such changes will be put into effect without
ratification by industry according to the guidelines for ratification set out
below;
- oversee ongoing activities in support of the Code and its implementation,
including communications and promotion;
- represent the Code in dealings with Canadian government agencies and
international bodies;
- direct and oversee the activities of the Secretariat to support the Code.
- at the end of three years, conduct full consultations with industry to
evaluate the roles and functioning of the Board and to consider appropriate
changes in the Board's mandate, structure and operations. The question of the
continuing need for the Board should be assessed at this time.
1.2 Proposed Structure of the Board
|
Inshore -
Midshore |
Offshore
(>100') |
Global |
Total |
Umbrella Group |
Arctic |
|
|
1 |
1 |
|
Freshwater |
|
|
2 |
2 |
|
Aboriginal
Commercial
Fish
harvesters |
|
|
1 |
1 |
To be
determined |
Pacific
Coast |
|
|
3 |
3 |
CFIC |
Atlantic
Coast |
4 |
1 |
1 |
6 |
CCPFH/FCC/midshore
fleets |
Total |
4 |
1 |
8 |
13 |
|
Board members would be selected through the following steps:
- The Arctic marine fisheries representatives at the National Industry
Workshop, in consultation with other groups, would together pick one Board
Member.
- The Ontario Commercial Fishermen's Association would select one freshwater
representative, and the other freshwater representative from the western
provinces and the Territories would be selected through the elected Advisory
Committee to the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation.
- For the Pacific region, the Commercial Fishing Industry Council of British
Columbia (CFIC), in consultation with the B.C. affiliates of Canadian Council
of Professional Fish Harvesters (CCPFH), would select three Board Members.
- For the Atlantic fisheries, the CCPFH would select four representatives
from the inshore (<65') sector, the Fisheries Council of Canada (FCC) would
select one representative for the offshore (>100'), and representatives of
midshore mobile gear fleets (45' to 100') that aren't affiliated with either
body would select one Board member.
It is further proposed that individual Board members would serve for a
maximum of three years.
1.3 The Code Secretariat
Given the limited financial resources to support the implementation of the
Code, and the clear agreement that the Code should not involve extra costs to
the fishing industry, it is proposed that the DFO will continue to provide
Secretariat support.
Following the National Industry Workshop the Secretariat will operate under
the direction of the new Board.
2. RATIFICATION OF THE CODE
It is proposed that the ratification of the Code will involve the following
steps:
- the National Fishing Industry Workshop will agree on a Code text and
proposals for governance;
- the new Code Board will send out the Code text and governance proposals to
all organizations representing fish harvesters for discussion and ratification
according to the policies and procedures of each organization;
- these organizations will either ratify or reject the Code and the
governance proposals;
- within six months after the National Fishing Industry Workshop, the newly
constituted Board will communicate to appropriate fisheries Ministers the
names of the industry organizations that have ratified the Code;
- organizations that ratify the Code will be expected to promote adherence
to the Code by their members in their harvesting practices, and also to
cooperate with the appropriate government regulatory agencies to adjust their
Conservation Harvesting Plans to reflect the provisions of the Code.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in
a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic,
mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior permission of the
copyright owner. Applications for such permission, with a statement of the
purpose and extent of the reproduction, should be addressed to the Secretariat,
Code of Conduct for Responsible Fishing Operations, 200 Kent St., Stn. 13093,
Ottawa, Canada K1A 0E6
Cat. No: Fs23-347/1998
ISBN: 0-662-63560-4
© Canadian Code of Conduct for Responsible Fishing Operations 1998
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