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-Food.

Dates: 2025-08-17 to 2025-08-23

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

Canadian Federal GR News

Government of Canada Marks Construction Start on Polar Max Icebreaker for the Canadian Coast Guard

The Government of Canada marked the official start of construction of the Polar Max, one of two new polar icebreakers for the Canadian Coast Guard, under the National Shipbuilding Strategy. The event, attended by Secretary of State (Defence Procurement) Stephen Fuhr, Minister of Industry Mélanie Joly, and others at Helsinki Shipyard, initiates the first phase of hull construction, with transfer to Chantier Davie’s shipyard in Lévis, Quebec, for final assembly and outfitting. Delivery is anticipated by 2030. The Polar Max will offer enhanced endurance and power to support Arctic operations, including icebreaking, maritime emergency response, scientific missions, and northern supply. The project is designed to provide Canadian workers with expertise in polar icebreaker construction through Finnish best-practices, broadening domestic capabilities. The overall initiative is expected to support jobs, strengthen sovereign presence in the North, and provide operational support to Indigenous communities and environmental protection.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Fourth Annual Progress Report on Implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act

On August 21, Justice Minister Sean Fraser tabled the federal government's fourth annual progress report on the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. The report details measures undertaken over the past year, including amendments to the Interpretation Act to uphold Aboriginal and treaty rights, creation of an Indigenous-led advisory committee, release of the Indigenous Justice Strategy, and steps addressing border crossing barriers for Indigenous peoples. Actions also cover enhanced access to federal services in Indigenous languages, co-development of an Indigenous Stewardship Policy for Parks Canada-administered heritage areas, infrastructure investments on reserve, and ongoing efforts to resolve drinking water advisories. The report notes the need for stronger federal coordination, predictable funding, and robust progress metrics. The document draws on input from 58 Indigenous nations, organizations, and over 41 federal entities.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Federal–Provincial–Municipal Collaboration Funds Drainage and Stormwater Upgrades in White Rock, BC

On August 22, Parliamentary Secretary Ernie Klassen joined BC and municipal leaders to announce infrastructure upgrades in White Rock, British Columbia. The Marine Drive Stormwater Improvements project will replace aging drainage systems with new stormwater pipes, a reviewed and expanded pump station, and enhanced water quality treatments at the outfall. The combined $9.86 million investment aims to address local flooding, manage stormwater discharges, and reduce pollution in Semiahmoo Bay, supporting community resilience and environmental health.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

US Federal GR News

NOAA Proposes Rule Prohibiting Retention of Mobulid Rays in Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fisheries

On August 22, NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service published a proposed rule that would prohibit retention, transshipment, landing, or storage of mobulid rays—including all species in the Mobulidae family—by vessels permitted for Atlantic highly migratory species (HMS). The proposal, consistent with ICCAT Recommendation 24-12, also details mandatory handling and safe release requirements for vessels using pelagic longline gear. The agency’s regulatory impact review indicates that mobulid rays are not targeted in US HMS fisheries and interaction rates are low; the rule is expected to have neutral to minimal economic impacts. The proposal opens a 30-day public comment period closing September 22, with a public hearing scheduled for September 18. Exemptions for scientific research are provided via permit. Implementation would align US regulations with international commitments and best practices for bycatch minimization and bycatch mortality reduction.

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

FDA Seeks Comment on Renewal of Food Export List Requirements for U.S. Establishments, Including Seafood

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced extension of information collection requirements for establishing and maintaining export lists of U.S. plants exporting human food products—including seafood, dairy, and infant formula—subject to foreign government listing requirements. Interested parties have until September 22 to comment. The system, which relies on the electronic Export Listing Module, includes recordkeeping on regulatory status, product categories, and third-party certifications. Participation is voluntary but often required for market access in certain countries, such as China and Chile. FDA continues to require biennial updates and notification of any changes, with total annual reporting burden estimated at 7,451 hours. Applications for inclusion remain at the discretion of companies with interests in foreign export markets.

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

NOAA Issues Modified LOA for Marine Mammal Takes During Gulf of America Geophysical Surveys

NOAA announced it has issued a modified Letter of Authorization to TGS, covering incidental take of marine mammals during 3D ocean-bottom node geophysical surveys in the Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico). The effective date now runs through April 19, 2026, in response to a change in project timing and an increased operational duration from 90 to 105 active days. Authorized takes include up to two Rice’s whales, 288 sperm whales, and scaled take quotas for various dolphin and beaked whale stocks, each below one-third of the relevant abundance estimate. The 2024 final rule maintains mitigation and monitoring obligations for seismic operations and confirms the negligible impact determinations for all covered stocks.

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

Canadian Provincial GR News

Ontario Court Issues Penalty for Walleye Overfishing

Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources reported a $6,700 fine and six-year fishing ban for Larry Maples of Kentucky, who was convicted of possessing 34 walleye over legal catch limits following inspections at the Pigeon River border. The decision was rendered in April by Justice of the Peace Jennifer A. Neill.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Stormwater Management Improvements Advance in White Rock, BC

The BC government announced joint funding for enhanced drainage infrastructure in White Rock, including the installation of new stormwater pipes and pump station upgrades, with expected benefits for flood resilience along Marine Drive and water quality in Semiahmoo Bay.

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

What We're Reading This Week

• Facing Trump tariffs, India’s shrimp farmers consider switching to other businesses: Indian shrimp producers are re-evaluating their export strategies as they confront new U.S. tariffs.
• Federal probe into deadly listeria outbreak finds major flaws with algorithm guiding inspections: A review highlights systemic weaknesses in CFIA’s inspection algorithms linked to a recent listeria outbreak.
• Walmart recalls frozen shrimp in U.S. over potential radioactive contamination: Frozen shrimp was recalled from U.S. shelves following concerns over possible radioactive substance contamination.
• B.C. recreational anglers get rare chance to reel in sockeye amid bumper salmon run: Sockeye are open for select public fishing as Fraser River sees an unusual spike in returns.
• ‘Very exciting’: Rare recreational sockeye fishery opens on portion of Fraser River: Recreational anglers on the Fraser River have a limited window to target sockeye salmon due to an exceptional run.

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