Report | November, 2018
Fishery Audit 2018
Oceana Canada’s annual Fishery Audit reports on the state of fish stocks and tracks progress on how well the government is meeting its policy and management commitments. This year’s report reveals that recent investments made in federal fisheries science capacity have not yet yielded measurable change in fisheries management or stock health.
The report states that only 34 per cent of Canada’s fish stocks are known to be healthy. Just over 13 per cent of stocks, including the iconic Northern cod, are critically depleted, requiring immediate rebuilding actions.
Of the 26 critically depleted stocks, only three have rebuilding plans in place; all three plans do not include the recommended content based on global best practices, such as targets and timelines for recovery. In addition, more than 37 per cent of Canada’s most important fisheries lack adequate data to assess their status.
The 2018 Fishery Audit outlines key recommendations to the government that will support better management of Canada’s fisheries, including passing and implementing a new Fisheries Act, completing rebuilding plans, filling in data gaps and finalizing the Fishery Monitoring Policy.
For more information about Oceana Canada’s findings, visit FisheryAudit.ca.
Appendices
- Canada’s progress towards completing commitments to implement the Sustainable Fisheries Framework
- Fisheries rebuilding success indicators: 2018
- Prioritization of depleted stocks for rebuilding plans
- The quality of rebuilding plans in Canada
- The timeliness of scientific information in support of sustainable management of Canada’s fisheries and oceans
- Audit 2018 indicator data by stock
- Audit 2018 timeliness scientific publications
