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: 2025-09-28 to 2025-10-04

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

This Week's Parliamentary Committee Calendar

• Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade – Meeting on CUSMA and North American Trade Relations: The committee met October 2, 2025, with Minister Dominic LeBlanc, Pierre Marier, Lynn McDonald, Martin Moen, and Rob Stewart from Global Affairs Canada and other officials to discuss CUSMA review, US tariffs, and supply management. Further discussions on border security, energy, and sectoral agreements were scheduled for future sessions.

Canadian Federal GR News

Canada Invests Over $3.4 Million in Reducing Plastic Waste and Advancing Circular Economy Solutions

On October 1, Environment and Climate Change Minister Julie Dabrusin announced more than $3.4 million in federal support for initiatives aimed at reducing plastic waste and pollution in Canada. Of that total, $1.8 million will fund 13 organizations addressing plastic waste generation in hospitals, the textile sector, and the construction industry. Some recipients will encourage reusable and refillable packaging for foodware, personal care, and cleaning products in retail locations, potentially influencing supply chains in industries relying on plastic packaging. Economic analysis and data improvement projects will receive support to assess the cost of single-use plastic litter and track plastic products' presence in the environment. An additional $1.6 million is allocated for projects including a reusable sleeve for pallet wrap and new sorting methods for plastic films and flexible packaging. These funds build on the federal Advancing a Circular Plastics Economy for Canada initiative and complement calls to study plastic impacts on Indigenous communities and inform scientific action on plastic pollution.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Canadian Space Agency Announces $5 Million Investment in Satellite Data for Ecosystem and Species Conservation

The Canadian Space Agency, at the International Astronautical Congress on September 29, launched a $5 million investment in the smartEarth program, supporting 20 Canadian firms and eight Indigenous partners to use AI-driven satellite data for biodiversity protection. Projects include detecting invasive aquatic plants, monitoring migratory bird populations, and assessing habitat quality in forest and agricultural landscapes. Outcomes will inform conservation efforts in watersheds, oceans, and terrestrial habitats, with implications for aquatic species and fisheries resource management. Thirty-five percent of project leads are first-time recipients, strengthening the country’s space technology capabilities while supporting collaboration across Indigenous, provincial, and territorial sectors. These efforts respond to accelerating biodiversity loss and the need for high-resolution environmental data.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Royal Canadian Navy Retires Kingston-Class Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels

The Department of National Defence announced the 'paying off' of HMCS Saskatoon, Whitehorse, and Brandon at a ceremony in Esquimalt, BC, and scheduled eight additional vessels for retirement in Halifax, NS on October 3. Commissioned in 1996, Kingston-class ships supported training for Reserve and Regular Force members and augmented fishery patrols across Canada’s three ocean coastlines, including the Arctic. The vessels participated in Operation CARIBBE, PROJECTION, and REASSURANCE, conducting functions such as mine-countermeasures, fishery patrols, national exercises, and search and rescue. Their decommissioning signals a transition in Canada’s maritime capability, with effects on fishery surveillance and enforcement activities in Canadian waters.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

US Federal GR News

Emergency Extension Granted for Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management in the United States

NOAA published an emergency rule extension on October 3 to maintain 2025 management measures for the Northeast multispecies fishery through April 30, 2026. The measures set catch limits for stocks such as Gulf of Maine cod, Georges Bank cod, haddock, and flounder. Previous rulemaking delays left the sector without approved specifications, prompting temporary allocations and the prohibition of recreational vessel possession for Georges Bank cod. Sector and common pool allocations have been updated to reflect new final vessel rosters, with Table 1 providing detailed quotas for cod, haddock, yellowtail flounder, and other groundfish stocks. The emergency order ensures 96% of commercial groundfish catch can continue through regulations harmonized with prior sector frameworks. NMFS responded to stakeholder and organization comments and specified this action is consistent with National Standard 2 and environmental assessment protocols.

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

NOAA Revises Annual Catch Limits for Queen Triggerfish in US Caribbean Fisheries

On October 2, NOAA proposed revisions to annual catch limits for queen triggerfish stocks in federal waters around St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John. The new proposed ACLs decrease allowable catch for St. Croix from 21,450 lbs to 18,808 lbs and for St. Thomas/St. John from 97,670 lbs to 92,919 lbs. These figures reflect updated stock assessments (SEDAR 80) and recommendations by the Caribbean Fishery Management Council and its Scientific and Statistical Committee. Management reference points, including fishing mortality thresholds and overfishing limits, are adjusted in line with Tier 3b of the ABC control rule. NMFS opened public comment until November 3; most recent landings have not exceeded the new ACLs, so economic effects on small fishery businesses are expected to be minimal.

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

NMFS Increases Scup Quota and Possession Limit for US Commercial Fishery

Effective October 1, NMFS announced an in-season adjustment raising the 2025 Winter II commercial scup quota to 4,162,331 pounds and increasing the Federal per-trip possession limit from 12,000 lbs to 15,000 lbs. This decision, mandated by Framework Adjustment 3, shifts unused Winter I quota into Winter II after July landings data indicated 1,047,723 lbs remained unharvested from an initial 8,814,300 lbs. The updated limits remain effective through December 31, reverting to prior thresholds in January 2026. This adjustment enables more flexible trip planning for vessels operating under federal quota permitting and impacts harvest timing and supply chain continuity for targeted market segments.

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

NMFS Reopens Directed Fishing for Pacific Cod in Alaska’s Gulf Central Regulatory Area

NOAA reopened directed fishing for Pacific cod by trawl vessels in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska, effective October 3 through December 31, 2025, in response to data indicating 2,693 metric tons of quota remain available. The previous closure, implemented September 1, was lifted following updated catch and harvest capacity evaluation. NMFS waived prior notice and delay of effective date for expediency, inviting public comment until October 17. This reopening affects allocation utilization and supply for processors, with regulatory authority provided under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.

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

NOAA Finalizes Removal of Rebuilding Plans for Two Pacific Northwest Coho Salmon Stocks

On October 2, NMFS announced the removal of federal rebuilding plans for Queets River and Strait of Juan de Fuca natural coho salmon stocks under the Pacific Coast Salmon Fishery Management Plan (FMP). The stocks now meet the maximum sustainable yield escapement levels, and their regulatory status has changed from 'overfished' to 'rebuilt' as defined by the FMP. Three supporting comments noted adequacy of scientific evidence, while two raised concerns about management complexity and collaboration with tribal co-managers. This administrative change, effective November 3, maintains existing management frameworks and does not require tribal or small entity consultation.

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

Canadian Provincial GR News

Nova Scotia Opens Third Round of Applications for Fisheries and Aquaculture Energy Efficiency Innovation Fund

Nova Scotia launched another call for applications to its $6.5-million Fisheries and Aquaculture Energy Efficiency Innovation Fund on October 2, supporting projects that reduce GHG emissions and operational costs in seafood-related activities. The deadline for applications is December 11.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.novascotia.ca

Alberta Minister to Attend World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi

Alberta’s Forestry and Parks Minister Todd Loewen will join the World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi from October 9 to 15, where provincial conservation and biodiversity practices will be promoted alongside global discussions.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• B.C. First Nations want meeting with Carney about salmon, need for open-net farm ban: Coverage of First Nations' call for discussions with federal officials regarding open-net salmon farm bans.
• B.C. First Nations want meeting with Carney about salmon, need for open-net farm ban: Additional reporting on B.C. First Nations’ push for regulatory changes to aquaculture practices.
• Marineland decries Ottawa decision to bar export of remaining beluga whales to China: Marineland responds publicly to federal decision blocking whale export.
• Conservation group preparing to perform necropsies on dead sperm whales in P.E.I.: P.E.I. teams examine sperm whale strandings for scientific assessment.
• Marineland asks Ottawa for emergency funds, saying belugas face euthanasia: Marineland petitions federal government for financial support amid beluga welfare crisis.
• Marineland asks Ottawa for emergency cash to feed whales — or euthanasia imminent: Marineland’s statement reveals urgent funding need for whale maintenance.
• Marineland disappointed by denial of request to export beluga whales to China: Follow-up reporting on the non-approval of marine mammal export.
• Scientists using mussels as 'messengers' of water quality, testing for chemicals in Ontario's Grand River: Ontario researchers monitor river health using native mussels.

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