Rebecca Schijns - Oceana Canada

Rebecca Schijns

Marine Fishery Scientist

Oceana Staff

Rebecca is a Canadian marine fishery scientist dedicated to transforming knowledge into actionable policy solutions that restore marine life, protect vital habitats, and support sustainable fisheries for the benefit of healthy oceans and coastal communities. In her role, she leads the Rebuild Ocean Abundance campaign by combining science, policy, advocacy and strategic partnerships to restore marine ecosystems and advance sustainable and equitable fisheries. 

 Rebecca holds a B.Sc. in Biology from Queens University and M.Sc. degree in Oceans and Fisheries from the University of British Columbia, in collaboration with the Sea Around Us initiative. Her research experience includes behavioural ecology, elasmobranch physiology, global marine fishing impacts assessed through catch reconstruction and stock assessments, policy and regulatory analysis, and ecosystem approaches to fisheries management. 

 Living on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, just steps from Vancouver’s seawall, she devotes her free time to ocean and mountain adventures—sailing, kayaking, hiking, skiing, and scuba diving. 

FEATURED CAMPAIGN

2025 Audit Shows Fisheries are Still at Risk as Rebuild Law Lags 

A new national audit shows Canada is falling behind on implementing its own fisheries rebuilding law — leaving most marine fish stocks without the protections needed to recover. One-third depleted, one-third uncertain — and most still lack legal safeguards for rebuilding.  

Despite progress this year, including 12 new rebuilding plans and greater transparency around climate considerations, the overall picture remains troubling: key decisions continue to ignore scientific advice, climate-ready management is absent for most stocks, and gaps in forage fish science and management puts ecosystem heath at risk. 

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CAMPAIGN HIGHLIGHTS

Stop Plastic Pollution

Restore Capelin Abundance

Protect North Atlantic Right Whales

Rebuild Ocean Abundance

Protect Marine Habitat

Contact

Oceana Canada Headquarters
18 King Street East, Suite 505
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5C 1C4

Phone: +1 (416) 583-2350
Email: info@oceana.ca

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Oceana Canada operates in many regions across Canada. From coast to coast to coast, we acknowledge the ancestral and unceded territory of all the Inuit, Métis, and First Nations communities that call this land home, and we strive for our work to be done in a spirit of collaboration and reconciliation.

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