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.

Dates: 2025-06-29 to 2025-07-05

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

Canadian Federal GR News

DFO and Manitoba Partner on Aquatic Invasive Species Inspection Blitz

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), in coordination with the Manitoba government, conducted a roadside aquatic invasive species (AIS) inspection blitz on Highway 1 near the Manitoba-Ontario border from June 20 to 22, 2025. During the three-day operation, 383 vehicles transporting 436 watercraft or related equipment were stopped. Of these, 326 watercraft complied with requirements to be cleaned, drained, and dried, while 110 did not meet the AIS inspection standards. Thirty-eight watercraft required decontamination, and two carried visible Zebra Mussels. Participants who failed the inspection were given instructions on future compliance. This initiative is part of federal efforts to prevent the spread of AIS, such as Zebra and Quagga Mussels, which present substantial risks to freshwater ecosystems, water infrastructure, and regional economies. A second blitz is scheduled later this year.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

CFIA Confirms Dermo Disease in Prince Edward Island Oysters

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed the first presence of the aquatic animal disease Dermo (Perkinsosis) in oysters from Egmont Bay, Prince Edward Island. The disease, caused by Perkinsus marinus, leads to increased oyster mortality and reduced growth, though it poses no risk to human health or food safety.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

First Cases of MSX and Dermo Oyster Diseases Detected in Québec

CFIA has also verified the initial presence of both multinucleate sphere unknown (MSX) and Dermo diseases in oyster samples from Chaleur Bay, Québec. Both are known to increase oyster mortality and impede growth but do not affect human health or other bivalves such as clams, mussels, or scallops. MSX and Dermo present transmission challenges: Dermo moves between oysters or through contaminated water, while MSX's transmission mechanism remains partially unclear.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Canada Invests in Mahone Bay Coastal Protection Project

The federal government announced $928,000 in funding for the town of Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia, to strengthen flood and erosion defenses. Combined with $922,100 from Coastal Action and $16,950 from the municipality, the investment supports construction of a living shoreline, nearshore breakwater, tidal wetland, and a raised dyke along 100 metres of Edgewater Street.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Canada Backs Satellite Data Projects to Monitor and Protect Marine Ecosystems

Through a $3.9 million investment from the Canadian Space Agency, five technology firms are developing and testing satellite data solutions for environmental applications. Projects include eelgrass mapping for marine biodiversity (Hatfield Consultants), right whale detection and protection (AltaML and Fluvial Systems Research), and Arctic monitoring (C-CORE). The funding targets innovations that could enhance marine and coastal management by leveraging AI and Earth observation to inform research and regulatory approaches.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Trade Tribunal Opens Inquiry into Fisheries and Oceans Procurement Complaint

The Canadian International Trade Tribunal initiated an inquiry into a complaint by eDNAtec Inc. of Newfoundland and Labrador regarding a Department of Public Works and Government Services (PWGSC) procurement on behalf of DFO, for environmental DNA analysis services. eDNAtec claims that a contract was improperly awarded to the University of Guelph based on unfair subsidization and alleged non-compliance with technical bidding requirements. Proceedings will determine if procurement processes were carried out in accordance with statutory and regulatory obligations.

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

US Federal GR News

USDA Finalizes Major Revisions to NEPA Regulations

On July 3, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued an interim final rule updating its National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) procedures, replacing the former rules after the rescission of the Council on Environmental Quality’s NEPA regulations.

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

White House Creates ‘Make America Beautiful Again’ Conservation Commission

President Trump signed an executive order establishing the Make America Beautiful Again (MABA) Commission to advance conservation across parks, forests, waterways, and public lands. The Commission, chaired by the Secretary of the Interior, will advise on strategies to address deferred maintenance totaling $33.8 billion for the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service, expand outdoor recreation access, and encourage voluntary conservation measures.

Sources: White House Announcements: www.whitehouse.gov

Gulf Fishery Management Council Announces Webinars on Executive Orders

NOAA and the Gulf Fishery Management Council will host virtual meetings from July 21–23 focused on the implementation of Executive Orders 14276 (‘Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness’) and 14192 (‘Unleashing Prosperity through Deregulation’).

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

Mid-Atlantic Fishery Council to Set Catch Limits for Key Species

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee will meet from July 22 to July 24 (in-person and virtual) to recommend multi-year acceptable biological catch (ABC) limits for Bluefish, Summer Flounder, Scup, Black Sea Bass, and Illex Squid. The committee will also review an ecosystem and socioeconomic profile for Black Sea Bass and finalize a draft white paper on sector-specific overfishing limits for several species.

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

Preliminary Exempted Fishing Permit Issued for Offshore Squid Research

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service announced a preliminary determination for an Exempted Fishing Permit submitted by Coonamessett Farm Foundation. The permit would allow exploratory offshore fishing for unmanaged species of squid, including neon flying squid, exempting participating vessels from typical landing limits. The trials are scheduled from August 1 through December 31, 2025.

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

Canadian Provincial GR News

Nova Scotia Launches Aquaculture Suitability Mapping Tool

Nova Scotia introduced a publicly available mapping tool to assess coastal area suitability for aquaculture. The tool incorporates data on water depth, temperature, protected area proximity, and navigation routes, and supports early-stage decision-making for oyster, mussel, salmon, and trout operations.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.novascotia.ca

Government Consultations

CFIA Opens Consultation on Modernizing Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has initiated stakeholder consultations on the modernization of the Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program, with feedback accepted until December 1, 2025. A summary report will follow at the conclusion of the process.

Sources: Canadian Government Consultations: N

Public Officials' Social Media

Bob Zimmer posted on June 29 in celebration of National Fishing Week, sharing his experience fishing for Arctic Char in Iqaluit, Nunavut.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

What We're Reading This Week

• Dermo disease confirmed in Quebec, P.E.I. oysters: News coverage on the detection of Dermo in oysters in both PEI and Quebec.
• Fisheries and Oceans Canada partners with the Manitoba Government to conduct an aquatic invasive species roadside inspection blitz: Article summarizes the DFO-Manitoba AIS inspection blitz on the Trans-Canada Highway.s
• Anchovy product recalled in Canada: Brief on a seafood recall for anchovy product distributed in Canada.
• Baby eels wade into high-stakes battle over treaties and fisheries in the Maritimes: Coverage of emerging treaty and access disputes involving baby eel fisheries.
• China lifts a nearly 2-year ban on seafood from Japan over Fukushima wastewater: Report on Chinese authorities ending restrictions on Japanese seafood imports.