April 24, 2026
How Fisheries Decisions Are Made and Why Transparency Matters
Estimated reading time: 0 minutes
BY: Rebecca Schijns
Topics: Rebuild Ocean Abundance
Transparency in fisheries decisions is essential for sustainability:
Fish should be valued for the nutrition they bring to people and the wider marine environment. They are part of a living ocean system that supports communities and cultures across Canada. When fisheries decisions are made openly and informed by a diverse set of perspectives, good decisions can follow. Decisions that can support healthy fish populations, an abundant ocean and sustainable fisheries.
Fish Are for the Public Good
Fish do not belong to one group or industry. They are living beings. Fisheries that exploit them are managed by the federal government on behalf of and for all Canadians.
Canada’s Fisheries Act requires decision-making to focus on sustainability, rebuilding and long-term ocean health. That means decisions must look beyond immediate economic pressures and consider science, ecosystems, Indigenous rights and future generations.
Transparency in fisheries decisions is key. When decisions are clearly explained and justified, the public can see whether the law is being followed and whether fish populations are being protected or harmed.
Why Transparency Matters in Fisheries Management
Fishing, like logging or mining, removes a natural resource from the environment. But fish are living, moving and interconnected. If they are overfished and poorly managed, populations can collapse quickly, taking decades or longer to recover.
When fisheries management lacks transparency, Canadians cannot tell:
- whether decisions are based on science;
- whether rebuilding plans, to help depleted fish populations recover, are being followed; or
- whether management is integrating stakeholder and rightsholders perspectives.
Transparent fisheries management helps prevent mistakes, builds public trust and protects both ecosystems and jobs.
Who Gets a Say in Fisheries Decisions
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is the federal department responsible for fisheries. DFO uses the input from fisheries advisory committees to inform decisions. These committees usually include:
- harvesters and processors;
- Indigenous Nations and groups;
- scientists;
- provincial governments; and
- environmental and conservation organizations, including Oceana Canada.
Inclusive and transparent advisory processes reduce the risk that one interest group dominates decision-making. Research consistently shows that this inclusivity improves the quality, legitimacy, and durability of decisions.
Unfortunately, these committees suffer from a lack of participation by the eco-tourism industry, recreational or ‘food fishers’, and the general public. Advisory processes are a forum for stakeholders to share their perspectives. Fisheries managers then consolidate stakeholder perspectives, and make their recommendations to the Minister of Fisheries. The Minister then makes the final decision, and politics can influence it.
Over the past decade, Oceana Canada has been an active participant across multiple DFO regions. Oceana Canada staff attend advisory committees, consult with invested parties, submit publicly available recommendations to DFO and advocate for good fisheries management. Providing evidence-based input grounded in science and policy with a primary focus on rebuilding fish populations.
This extensive involvement in Canadian fisheries management has led to some glaring observations. There are inconsistencies in the system which is dominated by a few players who have controlled these processes – and who gets to participate – for decades.
Oceana Canada’s annual Fishery Audit shows that only a third of fish populations are healthy. The lack of healthy fish populations raises questions about whether the public’s interest is being prioritized in fisheries management. In addition, some fisheries decisions in Canada are unclear or inconsistent with policy, law and best-practices.
A Positive Example of Transparent Fisheries Decisions
A strong example of transparency in fisheries management comes from Pacific herring in Haida Gwaii.
The Haida Nation and the federal government co-developed the rebuilding plan for critically depleted herring stocks. Indigenous rightsholders play a central role. Science and Indigenous knowledge guide decisions, with clear rules set in advance.
Because the process is open, predictable and science-based, fisheries decisions stay focused on long-term herring recovery. This shows how transparency can support both ocean health and community well-being.
When Transparency Is Missing: Northern Cod
Northern cod shows what can happen when transparency in fisheries decisions is weak.
Northern cod decisions have consistently lacked transparency, diverging from the public interest and precautionary principles. For example, over a two-year period the maximum allowable harvest, more than tripled without meaningful recovery of the fish population. The fishery is allowed to harvest more fish than ecological data, policy, or socioeconomic evidence can justify
The history of northern cod decisions being made without transparency, leaves questions about ocean health and the long-term viability of this fishery. Past experiences in Canada, and around the world, show that delayed or unclear decisions slow recovery of fish populations. Without transparent decisions, DFO is increasing the long-term risks for fishers, ocean health and coastal economies.
Indigenous Rights Must Be Central to Decision-Making
Indigenous Peoples are rightsholders, not just stakeholders.
Their knowledge, stewardship systems and constitutional rights must be central to fisheries decision-making in Canada. When Indigenous knowledge is included alongside Western science, fisheries management can be more effective and better suited to local ecosystems.
True transparency includes early engagement, shared decision-making and respect for Indigenous governance. Agreements such as the Fisheries Resource and Reconciliation Agreements show how shared leadership can support both reconciliation and sustainable fisheries. New guidance can help DFO pair knowledge systems to support collaborative, proactive fisheries management.
Transparency Protects Oceans and Communities
The Fisheries Minister has wide authority under the Fisheries Act. The strongest decisions follow:
- clear science;
- transparent rules;
- public explanations; and
- inclusive processes.
When decisions are made behind closed doors, as they often are, short-term interests can outweigh long-term sustainability.
Experience shows that when advisory processes are inclusive and decisions clearly follow law and policy, fish populations can recover and communities can benefit for generations.
Oceana Canada works to strengthen transparency in fisheries decisions so Canada manages its oceans for the long term — not just the next fishing season.
Healthy oceans depend on transparent fisheries management. Join Oceana Canada in calling on the Canadian government to improve fisheries management. >>>
