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Glossary

Policy for the Management of Fish Habitat

Canadian Fisheries Waters

"All waters in the fishing zones of Canada, all waters in the territorial sea of Canada and all internal waters of Canada." (Fisheries Act, sec. 2).

Compensation for Loss

The replacement of natural habitat, increase in the productivity of existing habitat, or maintenance of fish production by artificial means in circumstances dictated by social and economic conditions, where mitigation techniques and other measures are not adequate to maintain habitats for Canada's fisheries resources.

Conservation (of habitats)

The planned management of human activities that might affect fish habitats to prevent destruction and subsequent loss of fisheries benefits.

Development (of habitats)

The creation of fish habitat and the enhancement or other improvement (such as flow regulation, nutrient modification, provision of access to spawning and rearing areas, etc.) applied to any type of fish habitat to provide better conditions for production and maintenance of the fisheries resource.

Fish

"includes parts of fish, shellfish, crustaceans, marine animals and any parts of shellfish, crustaceans or marine animals, and the eggs, sperm, spawn, larvae, spat and juvenile stages of fish, shellfish, crustaceans and marine animals." (Fisheries Act, sec. 2).

Fish Habitats

"Spawning grounds and nursery, rearing, food supply and migration areas on which fish depend directly or indirectly in order to carry out their life processes." (Fisheries Act, sec. 34(l)).

Fish Habitat Management Program

Those activities, legislative responsibilities and policies administered by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans for the purpose of conserving, restoring and developing the productive capacity of habitats for the fisheries resources.

Fish Habitat Management Plan

A plan prepared for a region or a specific geographic area of a region which includes an outline of the Department's requirements for conserving, restoring and developing fish habitat to meet fisheries stock production objectives and for use as the basis for consultation in integrated resource planning.

Fisheries Resources

Fish stocks or populations that sustain commercial, recreational or Native fishing activities of benefit to Canadians.

Integrated Resource Planning

The process whereby federal, provincial, territorial and municipal resource management agencies consult each other and private sector interests to plan for the future use of natural resources including forests, minerals, fish, land, water, wildlife and other resources.

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Major Projects

Those works, undertakings and activities that could potentially have, or be perceived to have, significant negative impacts on the habitats supporting Canada's important fisheries resources. Examples include: large-scale aerial biocide spraying of forest and agricultural lands; deep-draft marine terminals; hydroelectric dams and diversions; integrated mining operations; offshore oil and gas exploration and development; large industrial and municipal waste discharges; large pipelines, rail lines, roads and transmission lines; large forest harvesting operations; large dredging operations; and other similar projects.

Minor Projects

Those works, undertakings and activities which would not normally have, or be perceived to have, serious irreversible biological effects that could not be mitigated on the habitats supporting Canada's fisheries resources. Examples include: most stream crossings, culvert installations, and other stream alterations; most wharf and breakwater construction and repairs; most individual forest harvesting operations; small dredging projects; small foreshore modifications; and other similar projects.

Mitigation

Actions taken during the planning, design, construction and operation of works and undertakings to alleviate potential adverse effects on the productive capacity of fish habitats.

Net Gain

An increase in the productive capacity of habitats for selected fisheries brought about by determined government and public efforts to conserve, restore and develop habitats.

No Net Loss

A working principle by which the department strives to balance unavoidable habitat losses with habitat replacement on a project-by-project basis so that further reductions to Canada's fisheries resources due to habitat loss or damage may be prevented.

Productive Capacity

The maximum natural capability of habitats to produce healthy fish, safe for human consumption, or to support or produce aquatic organisms upon which fish depend.

Protection (of habitats)

Prescribing guidelines and conditions, and enforcing laws for the purpose of preventing the harmful alteration, destruction or disruption of fish habitat.

Restoration (of habitats)

The treatment or clean-up of fish habitat that has been altered, disrupted or degraded for the purpose of increasing its capability to sustain a productive fisheries resource.

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