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: 2025-09-14 to 2025-09-20

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🏛️ House of Commons Committee Meetings
• 🇨🇦 Canadian Federal GR News
• 🇺🇸 US Federal GR News
• 🗺️ Canadian Provincial GR News
• 💬 Government Consultations
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

House of Commons Committee Meetings

• Fisheries and Oceans Committee: Draft Report on Derelict and Abandoned Vessels (September 23, 3:30–5:30 p.m., In Camera): Fisheries and Oceans Committee will review the draft report on Derelict and Abandoned Vessels on September 23 in Room 420, Wellington Building.
• International Trade Committee: Canada’s Engagement in Rules-Based Trade (September 22, 3:30–5:30 p.m., Televised): International Trade Committee hears testimony from Global Affairs Canada (Aaron Fowler) and Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (Michael Harvey) on Canada’s trade and investment system.
• Environment and Sustainable Development Committee: Briefing with Environment Department (September 22, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., Televised): Environment and Sustainable Development Committee receives a department briefing with Linda Drainville, Alison McDermott, Megan Nichols, and Tara Shannon.
• Human Resources, Skills and Social Development Committee: Workers in the Seasonal Industry and Employment Insurance Program (September 23, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., In Camera): Human Resources Committee to discuss draft work on seasonal industry workers and EI coverage on September 23 in Room 425, Wellington Building.

Canadian Federal GR News

DFO Concludes Operation Sea Dog 2025: Multinational Enforcement and Compliance Sweeps

On September 16, Fisheries and Oceans Canada announced completion of Operation Sea Dog 2025—a coordinated enforcement effort with US agencies in marine border areas. The initiative, active May through August, included high-visibility patrols in the Southern Gulf Islands, Juan de Fuca Strait, and Strait of Georgia, targeting recreational salmon fishing and monitoring closures put in place for Southern Resident Killer Whale protection. DFO’s National Fisheries Intelligence Service supported real-time intelligence exchange among law enforcement partners: US Coast Guard, US Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations, Washington State Fish and Wildlife Police, Canada Border Services Agency, and RCMP. Over four sweeps, fishery officers conducted 90 vessel-based and 14 land/shore inspections, discovering 34 violations ranging from illegal shellfish harvest and working without a licence, to fishing with barbed hooks and retaining undersized crabs or prohibited salmon. The joint actions underscored cross-border enforcement of Fisheries Act regulations and ongoing marine conservation, with intelligence-sharing cited as key for rapid response. DFO invites public reporting of violations via its dedicated hotline and email.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Federal Approval Issued for Ksi Lisims LNG—Indigenous Partnership and Aquatic Resource Conditions

September 15 witnessed federal approval of the Ksi Lisims LNG terminal near Pearse Island in northwestern British Columbia. Minister Julie Dabrusin, acting under the Impact Assessment Act, confirmed the project after a substituted review coordinated with the province, the Nisga’a Nation, and compliance with the Nisga’a Final Agreement. The federal determination cites limited significant adverse effects on areas within federal jurisdiction, subject to extensive mitigation. Proponents must implement conditions that address impacts on fish and avian populations, Indigenous health, socio-economic matters, and cultural land-use. Ongoing verification programs are required to validate assessment accuracy and mitigation effectiveness, with Indigenous engagement mandated for the duration. The federal review process was accelerated by “one project, one review” principles aligned between Ottawa and Victoria under their Impact Assessment Cooperation Agreement, and the final decision incorporates recommendations emerging from treaty-specific obligations.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Canada Announces $10 Million for Tidal Energy Environmental Monitoring in the Bay of Fundy

Natural Resources Canada, in partnership with Fisheries and Oceans and the Nova Scotia government, declared over $10 million in federal investments targeting environmental data collection for tidal energy sector development in the Bay of Fundy. The Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy (FORCE) will deploy advanced ocean sensors under the Ocean Sensors Innovation Platform initiative to provide fish and ecosystem data supporting regulatory scrutiny and investor decisions. Acadia University is leading fish collision risk studies with tidal turbines in the Minas Passage, developing monitoring approaches and movement models intended to inform risk assessments and permitting. These projects are designed to supply empirical evidence to guide offshore renewable energy sector expansion and improve habitat protection. Additional objectives include technical training for scientists, furthering workforce development in offshore renewables.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Atlantic Canada Firms Participate in Trade Mission to Japan and South Korea

The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency listed 28 firms and organizations—spanning seafood exporters, aquaculture companies and research bodies—currently participating in a multi-sector mission to Japan and South Korea (September 14–20). Delegates include Iso Seafoods Ltd., Lobster Fishers of PEI Marketing Board, Louisbourg Seafoods, Ocean Choice International, True North Seafood, and Whitecap International Seafood Exporters, among others. The effort is coordinated by ACOA in concert with the four Atlantic provinces and targets export expansion, supply chain diversification, and partnership development in Indo-Pacific markets.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Atlantic Canada Delegates Leverage Expo 2025 Japan Platform for Seafood Trade Growth

ACOA, with the support of Global Affairs Canada and Atlantic provincial partners, is facilitating trade mission activities in Tokyo and Osaka, including Atlantic Canada Day at Expo 2025. The delegates are advocating for closer commercial ties and enhanced supply chain opportunities in Korea and Japan, aiming to broaden market access for seafood products and highlight Atlantic Canada's production capabilities to buyers and investors.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Prairie Businesses Facing Trade Shifts Invited to Apply for Regional Tariff Response Initiative

Prairies Economic Development Canada began accepting applications for the Regional Tariff Response Initiative on September 16. The program provides targeted funding for businesses and organizations in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba impacted by international trade disruptions—including those in seafood and aquaculture. Support is available for productivity improvements, market diversification, supply chain strengthening, and domestic trade growth. Eligible costs may be retroactively covered up to 12 months prior to filing, from March 21, 2025; all projects must conclude by March 31, 2028.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Rural Trade and Business Profiles Updated: Statistics Canada Releases New Data

Statistics Canada updated its Rural Canada Trade Profiles database on September 19, offering details on export/import establishment counts and trade values for small towns and rural areas—information pertinent to localized fisheries and aquaculture supply chains. Earlier in the week, StatsCan launched its 2025 Q3 Business Conditions interactive dashboard, providing new industry-specific data relevant to small-scale fisheries and food processing in non-urban settings.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca, Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca

US Federal GR News

NOAA Finalizes Annual Catch Limits and Management for Pacific Sardine, Closing Directed Fishery

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) published final 2025–2026 harvest specifications for the northern Pacific sardine stock, enforcing closures for the directed commercial fishery across Washington, Oregon, and California. Sardine harvest is now only permitted as live bait, incidental catch, or under exempted permits. Incidental catch is capped at 20% by weight per trip, or 2 metric tons when caught with non-coastal pelagic species. The overfishing limit (OFL) is set at 4,645 mt, with an annual catch limit (ACL) of 2,200 mt and a catch target (ACT) of 2,100 mt, following the May 2025 sardine rebuilding plan. NMFS maintains that all harvest reference points are grounded in the best available science and conducted public comment review. The measure aims to conserve sardine stocks, ensure compliance with Magnuson-Stevens Act standards, and maintain minimal bycatch required for fleet flexibility while enabling ongoing assessment and monitoring.

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

Commercial Atlantic Mackerel Fishery Closed after 80% of Annual Harvest Reached

Starting September 16, the commercial Atlantic mackerel fishery is closed through December 31, 2025, after NMFS determined 80% of the annual domestic harvest had been met. All limited access permit holders are subject to a 10,000 lb trip limit, while open access vessels have a 2,500 lb per trip cap for the remainder of the year. The closure, implemented under Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management regulations, aims to prevent quota overages that would jeopardize rebuilding objectives for Atlantic mackerel. The action follows close monitoring of dealer reports and current catch rates and is exempt from delayed effectiveness and public comment periods under the justification of urgent conservation need.

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

NOAA Implements Inseason Adjustments to Pacific Coast Groundfish Fisheries—Expanded Access and Raised Trip Limits

Effective September 18, 2025, NMFS approved routine inseason adjustments to commercial and recreational groundfish management off California, expanding depth access and trip limits for several stocks that co-occur with quillback rockfish. The changes respond to a new peer-reviewed benchmark assessment showing quillback rockfish stocks are not overfished, with a harvestable surplus forecast to increase sixfold by 2027. The recreational RCG Complex (rockfish, cabezon, greenling) and lingcod fisheries will open all depths April–December in the Northern, Mendocino, San Francisco, and Central management areas. Commercial trip limits for black rockfish, cabezon, lingcod, other flatfish, and shelf rockfish are increased, with some areas reverting to pre-restriction boundaries. All regulatory changes are designed to allow greater industry utilization of healthy stocks within scientifically-set catch limits.

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

Seafood Inspection Program Fees Remain Unchanged for FY2026

On September 17, NMFS confirmed that the fiscal year 2026 fee schedule for its Seafood Inspection Program will remain at the rates established November 1, 2022. Hourly contract rates for inspection, grading, and certification services are unchanged—regular time at $238/hour, overtime at $357/hour, and Sundays/holidays at $476/hour. Non-contract rates remain at $357/hour for regular time, with higher fees for overtime and holidays. Certificate requests are billed at $97 per occurrence. Fees are calculated to ensure full cost recovery for both field operations and administrative overhead.

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

Katherine Scarlett Confirmed as Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality

Katherine Scarlett was confirmed by the US Senate on September 18 as the 13th Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). Scarlett is charged with administering National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) implementation and overseeing federal environmental policy, including permitting reforms relevant to infrastructure and energy projects. She brings prior experience from the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and the White House Permitting Council. Industry groups—including the American Exploration & Production Council, American Petroleum Institute, and National Association of Manufacturers—issued formal support for her confirmation, citing her expertise in federal permitting processes.

Sources: White House Announcements: www.whitehouse.gov

Canadian Provincial GR News

Ontario Funds Great Lakes Restoration Project—St. Lawrence River Recovery

Ontario is investing $435,829 in a St. Lawrence River restoration project near Cornwall and Akwesasne, supporting water quality, fish habitat, and biodiversity as part of its broader $7.3 million Great Lakes initiative.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

British Columbia Issues Environmental Assessment Certificate for Ksi Lisims LNG

On September 15, BC granted its environmental assessment certificate for the Ksi Lisims LNG project, after consultations with First Nations and technical experts. The certificate imposes 23 enforceable conditions, including net-zero emissions and reporting mechanisms.

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

Alberta Begins Water Storage Infrastructure Review in Southern Region

Alberta launched a feasibility study of new dam and reservoir sites along the Belly River and headworks improvements to the Waterton-St. Mary system, intended to augment water security for agriculture, fish habitat, and drought preparedness.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

Alberta Announces Charges Against Five Alleged Wildlife Poachers

Alberta Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services have charged five individuals, including an American fugitive, for poaching and trafficking wildlife and raptor parts, with 34 wildlife act charges filed.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

BC Opens Consultation on Xwulqw’selu (Koksilah) Water and Watershed Sustainability Plan

Cowichan Tribes and the Province launched a community survey from September 18 to October 31, seeking input on future water supply and ecosystem health as part of co-developed watershed sustainability planning.

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

Government Consultations

CFIA Invites Feedback on Proposed Amendments to Susceptible Aquatic Species List

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency initiated consultation to update the Susceptible Species of Aquatic Animals list, proposing alignment with World Organization for Animal Health species for Perkinsus olseni and Perkinsus marinus. Input accepted until November 18, 2025.

Sources: Canadian Government Consultations: inspection.canada.ca

DFO Seeks Public Input on Breakwater Extension at St-Georges-de-Malbay

Fisheries and Oceans Canada opened consultation on the proposed breakwater extension at St-Georges-de-Malbay, accepting comments and concerns regarding the infrastructure project until October 24, 2025.

Sources: Canadian Government Consultations: aeic-iaac.gc.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Long-wrought WTO global agreement aimed at reducing overfishing takes effect: WTO agreement enters into force, imposing new rules that restrict certain fisheries subsidies.
• What fish in northwestern Ontario reveal about the impact of climate change, forestry: Trent University project examines fish population dynamics and environmental stressors in Ontario rivers.
• P.E.I.'s migrant workers grappling with fewer hours or layoffs due to Chinese seafood tariffs: Migrant workers in PEI seafood processing plants face reduced hours amid Chinese import tariffs.
• International treaty protecting world’s oceans to take effect: Global oceans conservation treaty comes into force, impacting future marine protection frameworks.
• Sipekne'katik spent more than $500K on now-abandoned treaty rights lawsuit: Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq band abandoned moderate livelihood lobster lawsuit after significant expenses.
• Global agreement to protect the oceans set to take effect after 60th ratification: UN conservation treaty for international waters reaches milestone and prepares for rollout.
• WTO overfishing rules to affect Canadian fisheries: New WTO rules begin affecting government support for fishing fleets.
• Policy review: climate adaptation strategies in Ontario rivers: Researchers assess evolving risks to freshwater fisheries from climate change and forestry.
• Legal challenges persist as Mi’kmaq fisheries moderate livelihood debates continue: Moderate livelihood fishery legal costs and unresolved treaty issues.
• Ocean conservation treaty effects on Canadian marine policy: New treaty prompts discussion of national marine protected area frameworks.

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