Good morning! This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly roundup of regulatory developments, legislative discussions, political announcements and other government-related news concerning fisheries, aquaculture, molluscan shellfish, and marine conservation. Every Monday, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

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Start Date: 2025-05-25
End Date: 2025-05-31

Canadian Federal GR News

Climate Risk Index Dataset Released for 145 Canadian Marine Species

Fisheries and Oceans Canada released a dataset providing climate risk and vulnerability estimates for 145 marine species spanning Canada’s national waters, incorporating both surface and bottom warming projections. The Climate Risk Index for Biodiversity (CRIB) offers spatially detailed projections out to 2100 under two different emission scenarios. Twelve climate indexes are included for each species, location, and emission scenario, with dimensions covering exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. The index is intended for use in spatial conservation planning and fisheries management, providing quantifiable risk to both commercially and conservationally important species.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: open.canada.ca

Pacific Coastline Fetch Data Now Available for B.C.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada has published extensive fetch estimates for the British Columbia coastline, measuring over 41,720 km at 50-meter intervals. The dataset covers five Pacific regions including Haida Gwaii, Queen Charlotte Strait, Strait of Georgia, West Coast Vancouver Island, and the North Central Coast. Estimates include 811,727 nearshore fetch points assessing exposure, which is relevant for predicting nearshore species distributions and coastal habitat dynamics. The dataset features a supplementary user guide, computational scripts, and reporting on process and regional breakdown, serving as a key input for habitat and exposure modeling applications in marine planning.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: open.canada.ca

Fieldnotes Identifies Upcoming DFO Science Operations in Pacific and Arctic Waters

The 'Fieldnotes: Pacific Science Field Operations' dataset provides anticipated locations for Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s scientific field activities in the North Pacific and Arctic regions, as well as within coastal and interior British Columbia and Yukon. The dataset is managed to facilitate coordination for marine science stakeholders, and supports ongoing research in oceanography, biodiversity monitoring, and environmental science relating to Canadian marine and freshwater systems.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: open.canada.ca

US Federal GR News

NOAA Issues 5-Year Affirmative Finding for ETP Tuna Imports for Select Nations

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued an affirmative finding under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, permitting the importation of yellowfin tuna products harvested by Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, and Spain in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. This finding, effective April 1, 2025 through March 31, 2030, is subject to annual compliance reviews and is based on documentation from the nations, the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission, and the U.S. Department of State.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

NMFS Seeks Comment on Exempted Fishing Permit for Seabird Bycatch Study Off Cape Cod

NMFS announced a preliminary determination for an Exempted Fishing Permit application filed by Coonamessett Farm Foundation, Inc., to research the impact of baiting practices on shearwater bycatch in dogfish gillnet fisheries off Cape Cod. The study proposes to compare results from baiting before versus after net deployment across 25 days of fishing, with up to 50 trips and soak times of 45 minutes to 3 hours. Five vessels would participate, exempted from regular observer coverage due to space, and electronic monitoring is planned for bycatch analysis. Comments are due by June 16, 2025.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

NOAA Schedules Management Track Assessment for Black Sea Bass, Bluefish, Scup, and Summer Flounder

The National Marine Fisheries Service will conduct a Management Track Assessment Peer Review Meeting on June 24-25, 2025, evaluating offshore stock assessments for black sea bass, bluefish, scup, and summer flounder. The review will convene at the Northeast Fisheries Science Center in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, and is open to public participation both virtually and in person.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

New England Fishery Management Council Sets Scallop and Groundfish Meetings Ahead of FY2026 Specifications

The New England Fishery Management Council has scheduled a series of public meetings in June to address scallop and groundfish management. The Scallop Advisory Panel will meet June 9, followed by the Scallop Committee on June 10, both reviewing outcomes of the latest research track assessment and discussing long-term strategic planning and specifications for the 2026 fishery year. On June 10 and June 11, the Groundfish Advisory and Joint Panels, as well as the Groundfish Committee, will review performance data for key stocks, update management measures, and discuss sector-specific exemption programs.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov, U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov, U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov, U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

Pacific and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils Announce Upcoming Stock Assessment Workshops and Meetings

The Pacific Fishery Management Council and its advisory bodies will meet in mid-June in California and online to discuss a broad agenda including groundfish and highly migratory species management, with in-season adjustment, allocation reviews, and harvest planning for 2027-28 on the docket. A pre-data workshop webinar is scheduled for June 18, 2025, under the SEDAR 94 process for Florida hogfish assessment, involving representatives from several regional management councils and federal agencies.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov, U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov, U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov, U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

Canadian Provincial GR News

Ontario Enforces Lake Trout Habitat Protection Through Fines and Development Restrictions

Ontario levied a $100,000 fine against an individual for violating permit conditions related to cottage development in a lake trout habitat protection area near Clearwater Bay. The province’s ongoing enforcement includes restricted area orders and permit requirements to manage fish habitat and prevent overdevelopment.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Public Officials' Social Media

MP Joanne Thompson stated in the House of Commons that fisheries remain a government priority, marking her first day as Minister of Fisheries.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Joanne Thompson noted on social media the significant economic potential of the fisheries sector after meeting with stakeholders in Nova Scotia.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

What We're Reading This Week

• China set to resume imports of Japanese seafood halted over Fukushima water discharge: Reports indicate that China plans to lift restrictions on Japanese seafood previously imposed following the Fukushima water release.