The mission of the Fisheries Management Sector of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is "To manage Canada's fisheries cooperatively with all those involved, to conserve the resource and achieve sustainable use for the people of Canada". A precautionary approach (a commitment to err on the side of caution) and an ecosystem approach (the recognition that all impacts on natural resources are connected and cumulative) are cornerstones of fishery management.

In Central and Arctic Region, DFO conducts fishery management programs in the Northwest Territories (NWT), Nunavut, Yukon North Slope and Arctic marine waters. In Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, the provincial governments are responsible for the day-to-day management of their fisheries. The Region's fishery management programs are delivered primarily through offices in the NWT and Nunavut, with the regional headquarters at the Freshwater Institute in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

In the NWT and Nunavut, over 300 stocks of fish and over 50 stocks of marine mammals are harvested in the food, commercial and recreational fisheries. Harvesting of fish and marine mammals provides a considerable portion of the food of aboriginal peoples, and is the foundation of their traditional cultures. The commercial and recreational fisheries, although relatively small, provide important sources of employment and income for northern communities. There is considerable interest in developing new fisheries, especially off Baffin Island.

Establishing safe harvest levels requires analysis of information from stock assessment and related scientific studies, harvest monitoring and traditional knowledge. It is led by DFO's Science Sector, and involves the co-management boards and communities. Integrated Fisheries Management Plans are developed to establish sustainable harvest levels, allocate the harvest, describe conditions of harvest, and identify research and monitoring needs and how to promote adherence to the harvest limits. Allocation decisions determine whether the harvest is for food, commercial or recreational fisheries, and who can fish. Most allocation decisions are the responsibility of co-management boards. Fishery licences are issued and harvests are monitored to implement the Plans.

The management of Canadian fisheries requires an integrated approach to surveillance and control that involves the assignment of fishery officers to air, sea and land patrols. DFO's Fishery Officers ensure compliance with the Fisheries Act and its regulations and licence conditions to protect and conserve the fish and marine mammal stocks.

The Constitution Act, land claims legislation, the Fisheries Act and its regulations, and departmental policies provide the framework for the management of fish and marine mammal stocks. DFO's main partners and clients for fishery management in the NWT and Nunavut include: the co-management boards established under legislated land claims agreements; the Great Slave Lake Advisory Committee; fishers and community fishing groups; the fishing industry, and commercial and recreational fishery organizations; the Government of the Northwest Territories; and the Government of Nunavut.

For more information on the management of Arctic fishery resources, please contact the Freshwater Institute at 501 University Cr., Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N6; by phone at (204) 983-5000; or visit our regional website.