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.

Want to see GR activities in areas of the economy related to the Fisheries channel? Don’t miss this week’s updates in Environment and Agri.

Dates: 2025-07-20 to 2025-07-26

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

Canadian Federal GR News

DFO Enforces Fisheries Act: $25,312 Fine for B.C. Commercial Rockfish Violations

On July 9, 2025, Roger Atchison, captain and co-owner of the commercial fishing vessel Savage Eagle, pled guilty in Prince Rupert provincial court to multiple violations of Canada’s Fisheries Act. Atchison released over 9,000 pounds of rockfish and failed to maintain accurate and complete records during a commercial trip in the Hecate Strait between October 18 and 23, 2023. These breaches resulted in a $25,312 fine. Under current regulatory requirements, all rockfish species caught in groundfish trawl fisheries must be retained, accurately recorded, and included in quota counts due to their low reproductive rates and susceptibility to overfishing. The Department has asked the public to report further violations of the Fisheries Act, underscoring ongoing monitoring and enforcement on the Pacific coast.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Canada Allocates $300 Million to Launch Indigenous-Led NWT Conservation Project

The Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced a $300 million federal contribution—matched by $75 million in philanthropic funding—for NWT: Our Land for the Future, one of the world’s largest Indigenous-led land conservation initiatives. The grant agreement was signed with Danny Yakeleya, Chair of the Our Land for the Future Trust, on July 21, 2025. The initiative brings together 21 Indigenous governments, the Government of the Northwest Territories, and Ottawa to conserve up to 380,000 square kilometers, nearly 30% of the territory, including new terrestrial and freshwater protected areas. Activities eligible for funding include Indigenous stewardship, ecological monitoring, impact assessments, and conservation-based economic development. Governance and disbursement decisions rest with Indigenous-appointed directors; an annual operating plan guides investments. Conservation targets contribute over 2% of Canada’s land and water toward national objectives under the 2030 framework. Economic impacts are projected to include hundreds of new jobs across the Northwest Territories, supporting community participation in land and water management and Indigenous guardianship over key habitats.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca, Announcements: www.canada.ca

US Federal GR News

NOAA Finalizes 2025 West Coast Groundfish Inseason Adjustments: Increased Sablefish Trip Limits

NOAA Fisheries issued a final rule, effective July 21, 2025, increasing sablefish trip limits for both limited entry fixed gear and open access groundfish sectors along the U.S. West Coast. The adjustments follow Pacific Fishery Management Council recommendations to increase sector allocation attainment, with the allocation for 2025 projected at low utilization under status quo limits. The new weekly trip limits for limited entry fixed gear north of 36° N are 5,500 lbs/week (maximum 11,000 lbs/2 months); south of 36° N, the limit is 3,000 lbs/week. Open access north of 36° N is 4,000 lbs/week (up to 8,000 lbs/2 months); south, 2,500 lbs/week (7,500 lbs/2 months). These adjustments respond to updated utilization data and are designed to promote harvest without exceeding sector-specific annual allocations. NMFS processed this rule under expedited inseason authority to maximize fishing opportunity and economic benefit within existing biological targets.

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

NMFS Seeks Public Comment on Exempted Fishing Permits for Night-Set Buoy Gear in West Coast HMS Fisheries

NOAA Fisheries published a notice on July 22, 2025, inviting public comment until August 21 on multiple exempted fishing permit (EFP) applications for the use of night-set deep-set buoy gear (NSBG) to target swordfish and other highly migratory species (HMS) off the U.S. West Coast. The EFPs, proposed by Shearwater Fishing LLC and two additional applicants, would allow limited exemption from current gear deployment timing restrictions by authorizing night fishing with specific gear configurations. Vessels would remain subject to existing protections for sea turtles, marine mammals, and seabirds. Council and public feedback will inform NMFS decisions on EFP issuance, with full NEPA and ESA review of potential impacts. Additional information and application documents are posted for stakeholder review.

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

NOAA Releases Scientific Research Permits for ESA-Listed Anadromous Fish

NOAA issued 33 Endangered Species Act scientific research permits as detailed in a Federal Register notice on July 22. The authorizations allow researchers, including federal, tribal, and academic entities, to conduct activities aimed at increasing understanding and improving management of listed anadromous fish species. Permit activities range from biological sampling to habitat assessments in multiple West Coast river systems, each regulated under specific protocols to avoid significant adverse population impacts. Permit details and contact information are posted for review; activities are categorically excluded under NEPA.

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

Proposed Incidental Harassment Authorization for Oregon Yaquina Bay Marine Mammal Takes

NOAA Fisheries published a notice proposing an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) for the Oregon Department of Transportation's planned pile removal and installation activities at Yaquina Bay, Newport, Oregon, from November 2025 to February 2026. The IHA would permit Level B harassment (behavioral disturbance) of up to five marine mammal species, including harbor porpoises, Steller and California sea lions, and harbor and northern elephant seals, associated with vibratory pile driving and removal over an estimated 46 workdays. The agency proposes mitigation via pre-activity monitoring, shutdown zones, and post-activity reporting protocols. NMFS found no take by Level A harassment or mortality is anticipated. Public comment on the draft IHA is open until August 21, 2025.

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

NOAA Requests Public Comment on Research EFP Applications for Pacific Sardine Fishery

NOAA Fisheries received an application from the California Wetfish Producers Association for an exempted fishing permit that would allow up to 520 metric tons of Pacific sardine to be harvested for industry-based scientific research in the 2025-2026 fishing year. Eight vessels would collect fishery-dependent biological data in partnership with the Southwest Fisheries Science Center, contributing to the Pacific sardine stock assessment time series. The EFP would operate outside the primary directed fishery prohibition, with research catches partially sold to offset research costs. Public comments are due by August 8, 2025, and will inform permit decisions.

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

Canadian Provincial GR News

Nova Scotia Launches Strategic Investment Fund for Seafood Sector

Nova Scotia announced a $4.71 million Seafood and Agriculture Strategic Investment Fund to support large-scale productivity and market-expansion projects in the seafood and agriculture sectors, with projects to be completed by January 2027 and fund management delegated to Perennia.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.novascotia.ca, Provincial Announcement: news.novascotia.ca

Meeting Addresses Federal Support for Nova Scotia Fisheries

Nova Scotia’s fisheries minister met with the new federal Fisheries Minister, Joanne Thompson, reiterating requests for action on illegal fishing, renewal of the Atlantic Fisheries Fund, and support for market diversification amid ongoing tariff threats.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.novascotia.ca

Alberta Seeks Feedback on Watercraft Pass to Combat Invasive Mussels

Alberta is consulting on a proposed annual watercraft pass as a new preventive strategy against aquatic invasive species such as zebra and quagga mussels, inviting public input until August 25.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

Manitoba Distributes First Grants for Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention

Manitoba awarded nearly $400,000 in new Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Fund grants to Indigenous and municipal groups, targeting local mitigation and education initiatives for waterways including Pelican Lake and Gull Lake.

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

B.C. to Integrate Freshwater Fishing Licences into WILD System

Beginning in fall 2025, B.C. freshwater angling licences will be sold through the province’s WILD platform, consolidating licensing for fishing and hunting and streamlining access and administration ahead of the 2026–27 season.

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

Government Consultations

Health Canada Consults on Proposed Cyantraniliprole Residue Limits

Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency opened a 75-day consultation period on proposed Maximum Residue Limits (MRL) for cyantraniliprole, with comments accepted until October 5, 2025.

Sources: Canadian Government Consultations: www.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• This Newfoundland angler is worried about the fate of the Atlantic salmon: CBC covers concerns over the status of Atlantic salmon populations in Newfoundland and Labrador.
• N.B. tariff aid largely untapped as Trump deadline looms: CBC outlines limited use of tariff mitigation measures in New Brunswick as U.S. deadlines near.
• Sri Lankan court orders owners of container ship to pay US$1 billion in marine pollution compensation: CTV reports on a landmark ruling linking marine pollution to financial penalties.
• Meet Hilo, a sniffer dog trained to keep invasive mussels out of the province: CTV spotlights Alberta's use of trained dogs in defense against invasive aquatic species.

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