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: 2025-06-01
End Date: 2025-06-07

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇨🇦 Canadian Federal GR News
• 🇺🇸 US Federal GR News
• 🗺️ Canadian Provincial GR News
• 📱 Public Officials' Social Media
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Canadian Federal GR News

Interim Order and New Regulatory Measures for Southern Resident Killer Whale Protection in Southern British Columbia

The Government of Canada has enacted the 2025 Interim Order for the Protection of the Killer Whale (Orcinus orca) in the Waters of Southern British Columbia, effective June 1, 2025. Announced by Transport Canada and detailed in the Canada Gazette, the measures restrict vessel approaches to within 400 metres of all killer whales in designated waters, with proposed regulatory amendments to increase the approach distance to 1,000 metres for Southern Resident killer whales. Specific vessel-restricted zones off Pender and Saturna Islands bar most vessel traffic and fishing activity through November 30, 2025, with exceptions for Indigenous fisheries and emergency situations. Mandatory speed restrictions (10 knots) are in effect in two zones near Swiftsure Bank during the same period. Whale-watching and ecotourism operators may only promote tours for non-Southern Resident killer whales and under strict authorization. Vessels must report any encounters within 400 metres of Southern Resident killer whales, record observations via the WhaleReport app, and display authorization flags if applicable. Fishery closures for commercial and recreational salmon fisheries are maintained in key foraging areas, and further closure adjustments remain under consultation. These measures are supported by ongoing contaminant monitoring, public education, and enforcement provisions, with compliance tied to the Canada Shipping Act, Oceans Act, Fisheries Act, and Species at Risk Act.

Sources: Gazette, Part I: www.gazette.gc.ca, Gazette, Part I: www.gazette.gc.ca, Announcements: www.canada.ca, Announcements: www.canada.ca

Detection of Dermo in Newfoundland and Labrador Oysters Triggers Regional Controls

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed the first case of Dermo (Perkinsosis) in oysters from Notre Dame Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador. While Dermo poses no risk to human health or food safety, it can increase oyster mortality and reduce growth rates. In response, the CFIA, working with Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, has implemented movement controls on oysters in the affected area, initiated further tracing and testing, and instructed producers to report abnormal mortalities or growth issues. Stakeholder engagement includes ongoing communication and data collection to inform tracing and containment efforts. The measures are part of the Government of Canada's One Health approach to animal disease management.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Polar Knowledge Canada Marks 10 Years with New Arctic Indigenous Knowledge App Exhibition

Polar Knowledge Canada celebrated its 10th anniversary with the opening of a new exhibition at the Canadian High Arctic Research Station (CHARS) in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, focusing on SIKU: The Indigenous Knowledge App. Developed in collaboration with the Canadian Museum of Nature and the Arctic Eider Society, the app supports Indigenous communities in managing harvesting programs, guardianship, and environmental monitoring using their own knowledge systems.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

US Federal GR News

Atlantic Bluefin Tuna: Recreational Retention Limits Adjusted for 2025

NOAA has issued a temporary rule adjusting daily retention limits for Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) in the Angling category for the remainder of 2025. Private vessels are restricted to one school BFT (27 to <47 inches) per day, while charter and headboat vessels may retain two school BFT per day. No large school or small medium BFT may be retained under these limits. The adjustments are in response to recent quota overages and high BFT availability, aiming to extend fishery access and keep landings within ICCAT-allocated quotas. These measures apply across all regions except the Gulf of America, where targeted BFT fishing is prohibited. NOAA retains authority to further adjust or close the fishery if necessary during the season.

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

Pacific Sardine: Amendment 23 to the Coastal Pelagic Species Fishery Management Plan Approved

The Regional Administrator of the West Coast Region, NOAA, has approved Amendment 23 to the Coastal Pelagic Species (CPS) Fishery Management Plan, establishing a revised rebuilding plan for the northern subpopulation of Pacific sardine. The amendment sets a 17-year target rebuilding period and tiered annual catch limits: 2,200 metric tons or the calculated ABC (whichever is less) if biomass is at or below 50,000 mt, and 5% of biomass (or the ABC, whichever is less) if above 50,000 mt but below 150,000 mt. The plan responds to a court order and incorporates annual biomass estimates in management. NMFS determined that the plan meets National Standard 1 guidelines, with public comments addressed in the approval notice.

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

Pacific Cod Trawl Cooperative Program: Clarification of Cost Recovery Fee Schedule

NOAA has issued a correcting amendment for the Pacific Cod Trawl Cooperative Program (PCTC) in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. The changes clarify that cost recovery fees for cooperative quota (CQ) landings are due by August 31 of the year of landing, not the following year, and that the standard ex-vessel price from the previous year is used for calculating current year fees. The amendment also updates out-of-date cross-references and harmonizes terminology for fee calculation, aiming to reduce confusion for program participants. These adjustments are effective immediately.

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

Annual Economic Surveys Announced for Key U.S. Fisheries

NOAA is conducting several economic surveys relevant to U.S. fisheries. The agency is collecting trip cost data from Hawaii and American Samoa pelagic longline fishery participants to assess economic performance and regulatory impacts. The Annual Economic Survey of Federal Gulf and South Atlantic Shrimp Permit Holders will gather revenue, cost, and capital investment data from 650 commercial shrimpers. An updated Alaska Saltwater Sportfishing Economic Survey will target over 4,200 charter anglers focusing on halibut, salmon, lingcod, and rockfish, with data to support management decisions amid recent stock changes. All surveys are conducted under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, with public comments invited within 30 days.

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

National Ocean Month Proclaimed; Policy Moves on U.S. Ocean Resources

President Donald J. Trump proclaimed June 2025 as National Ocean Month, underlining actions such as renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America, signing an executive order to expand offshore mineral production, and opening the Pacific Remote Islands National Monument to commercial fishing. The administration's stated objectives include increasing U.S. seafood production, ending unfair foreign trade practices, and advancing American seafood competitiveness. The statement positions ocean resources as central to national security, economic growth, and maritime sovereignty.

Sources: White House Announcements: www.whitehouse.gov

Canadian Provincial GR News

Ontario Enforces Penalties for Exceeding Sport Fishing Quotas

Ontario courts fined an individual $2,100 and suspended fishing privileges for six months for exceeding lake trout and salmonid limits on the Michicipoten River in Wawa District. Conservation officers seized the over-limit catch during an inspection.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Nova Scotia Opens Funding for Marine Debris Cleanup Initiatives

Nova Scotia’s Marine Debris Clean-up Program has launched new funding rounds for shoreline cleanup, litter prevention, and marine debris recycling projects, with applications open until February 2026 or until funds are allocated.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.novascotia.ca

Alberta Implements Mandatory Inspections for All Incoming Watercraft

As of June 1, all watercraft entering Alberta from the east or south must be inspected for invasive mussels, with fines up to $4,200 for non-compliance. The province has increased inspection stations and enforcement resources through September.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

British Columbia and First Nations Begin Land-Use Planning in Northwest

British Columbia and five First Nations have initiated land-use planning over 16 million hectares in the province’s northwest, including a one-year pause on new mining tenure registrations in part of the area while stakeholder engagement is underway.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.gov.bc.ca

Public Officials' Social Media

MP Heath MacDonald reported on discussions with the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance about expanding Canada’s $100 billion annual agri-food, fish, and seafood exports and recognizing producers’ contributions.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Joanne Thompson announced Ernie Klassen as her new parliamentary secretary, citing collaboration for a strong fisheries sector and economy.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Senator Pamela Wallin referenced an analysis by Sylvain Charlebois questioning the accuracy of 'Made in Canada' labels on grocery products, including seafood.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

What We're Reading This Week

• Global salmon populations are in trouble. How will the trend affect groceries in Canada?: Examination of the impact of declining global salmon stocks on Canadian food supply.
• Port authority expands threat reduction measures for endangered southern resident killer whales off B.C.’s coast: Coverage of new threat reduction actions for endangered orcas.
• Frozen shrimp recall in Manitoba: Report on a recent frozen shrimp recall in the Manitoba market.
• West Coast salmon habitat restoration earns financial boost, support toward completion: News on funding and progress for West Coast salmon habitat restoration.
• B.C. First Nation builds small island, fisheries officials check for habitat damage: Report on habitat assessments following First Nation-led island construction.
• Blue Sky Scrubs Celebrates World Oceans Day with Commitment to Sustainability and Ocean Conservation: Industry story on corporate engagement for World Oceans Day