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: 2025-10-12 to 2025-10-18

📋 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

• Fisheries and Oceans Committee: Attribution of Redfish Quotas and Exploratory Lobster Fishing Licenses: The Fisheries and Oceans Committee will convene on October 21, 2025, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Witnesses include Camille Gagné (Captain-Owner-Operator), Jean Lanteigne (Fédération régionale acadienne des pêcheurs professionnels), Carey Bonnell (Ocean Choice International), Guy Gallant (Fish Harvester), Claudio Bernatchez (Regroupement des pêcheurs professionnels du Nord de la Gaspésie), and Jean-René Boucher (Coopérative des Capitaines Propriétaires de la Gaspésie). An in camera session is scheduled for report drafting.
• International Trade Committee: Canada and the Forthcoming CUSMA Review: The International Trade Committee meets October 20, 2025, at 3:30 p.m. to examine Canada's approach to the upcoming CUSMA review. Key witnesses are Barry Appleton (Professor), Lana Payne (Unifor), Angelo DiCaro (Unifor), Vass Bednar (The Canadian SHIELD Institute), Anna Zalik (York University), Brian Kingston (Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association), and Linda Hasenfratz (Linamar Corporation).
• Environment and Sustainable Development Committee: Canada's 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan: The committee will gather October 23, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to discuss the effectiveness of Canada's 2030 emissions plan. Witnesses include representatives from Clean Energy Canada, Energy For A Secure Future, Montreal Economic Institute, Government of Alberta, Net Zero Industry, and New Economy Canada.
• Senate Fisheries and Oceans Committee: Examine ocean carbon sequestration: On October 21, 2025, the Senate Fisheries and Oceans Committee will meet at 6:30 p.m. Witnesses include Helen Gurney-Smith (Fisheries and Oceans Canada), Na'im Merchant (Carbon Removal Canada), and Diane Hoskins (Carbon to Sea Initiative), focusing on ocean carbon sequestration and its role in Canada.

Canadian Federal GR News

Canada Water Agency allocates $1.6M for Lake Winnipeg freshwater projects

On October 18, 2025, Member of Parliament Terry Duguid, representing Minister Julie Dabrusin, announced a federal investment of $1.6 million for ten new projects dedicated to the restoration and protection of Lake Winnipeg. These initiatives target nutrient loading and include substantial funding for the Lake Winnipeg Research Consortium, aimed at supporting in-lake science operations. Ducks Unlimited Canada is allocated $150,600 for wetland restoration and phosphorus reduction measures, while the University of Winnipeg will receive $218,000 to assess phosphorus runoff risks and trial soil amendments. Lake Winnipeg supports over 25% of Canada’s freshwater fishery revenue and is central to regional hydroelectric generation and Indigenous livelihoods. The Canada Water Agency’s Freshwater Action Plan underpins these projects, with a focus on improving water quality, supporting sustainable fisheries, and increasing stakeholder engagement across four provinces and four U.S. states.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency supports PEI shellfish industry with nearly $1M investment

On October 17, 2025, Sean Casey, MP for Charlottetown, acting for Minister Sean Fraser, announced close to $1 million in non-repayable federal support for three projects supporting PEI's shellfish sector. The largest portion, $613,964, is designated for the University of Prince Edward Island to develop a diagnostic testing system for shellfish health. This investment responds to the recent MSX disease outbreak and the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona, aiming to expedite and improve health assessments and threat responses in the shellfish industry. Collaborative efforts among government, academia, and industry are central to this funding, which is designed to enhance sector resilience in Atlantic communities.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Two new marine refuges announced for Haida Gwaii, B.C.

President Gaagwiis Jason Alsop of the Haida Nation and Minister Joanne Thompson (Fisheries and Oceans Canada) formally announced the establishment of the G̱aw K̲áahlii and X̲aana K̲aahlii Marine Refuges on October 17, 2025. These refuges, jointly managed by the Council of the Haida Nation and Fisheries and Oceans Canada, are intended to safeguard key salmon populations, marine birds, herring, and harbour seals. The recognition of these sites follows nearly two decades of Haida-led marine planning and forms part of the Northern Shelf Bioregion Marine Protected Area Network. G̱aw K̲áahlii and X̲aana K̲aahlii are among three sites under the Great Bear Sea Project Finance for Permanence initiative and contribute to the federal goal of protecting 30% of Canada's marine and coastal areas by 2030.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Banks Marine Refuge established in partnership between Gitxaała Nation and Canada

Chief Councillor Linda Innes (Gitxaała Nation) and Minister Joanne Thompson announced the creation of the Banks Marine Refuge in Nłuut'iksgm Laxyuubm Gitxaała (Banks Island, B.C.) on October 17, 2025. The refuge prohibits commercial and recreational prawn and crab trap fisheries and builds upon existing rockfish conservation closures, prioritizing protection of coral, sponges, kelp forests, and eelgrass beds. The site marks a collaborative approach between Gitxaała Nation and the Government of Canada, incorporating both Gitxaała governance and Canada’s legal frameworks. The Banks Marine Refuge joins the Great Bear Sea Project Finance for Permanence, aligning with the federal objective to safeguard 30% of marine/coastal regions by 2030.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Federal announcement details upcoming support for PEI shellfish industry at UPEI

On October 16, 2025, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency announced an event at the University of Prince Edward Island to detail forthcoming support measures targeting the island's shellfish sector. Organized by MP Sean Casey on behalf of Minister Sean Fraser, the announcement underscores federal involvement in sector recovery and industry-academic collaboration. Industry members and UPEI representatives were scheduled to attend on October 17.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

US Federal GR News

NMFS institutes directed fishing closure for Atka mackerel in Bering Sea

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) under NOAA enacted a closure of the directed fishery for Atka mackerel in the Bering Sea subarea and Eastern Aleutian District, effective October 9, 2025. This applies to vessels in the BSAI trawl limited access sector and is intended to prevent the sector from surpassing its 2025 total allowable catch (TAC) allotment of 3,386 metric tons. The closure follows updated catch data, triggering regulatory measures under 50 CFR part 679. NMFS cited the requirement for timely response and good cause for waiving prior notice, limiting further directed fishing activities and activating maximum retainable catch limits for incidental catch. The restriction remains in place through December 31, 2025.

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

EPA issues cancellation order for select pesticide product registrations

On October 15, 2025, the Environmental Protection Agency released an order cancelling specific pesticide product registrations under FIFRA. The action results from voluntary registrant requests and non-payment of 2025 maintenance fees. Existing stocks can be sold and distributed by registrants until January 15, 2026, and by non-registrants until depleted, subject to previously approved labeling requirements. Some cancellation requests were withdrawn following initial comments. Further information, affected registrants, and products are detailed in the Federal Register under docket number EPA-HQ-OPP-2025-1839.

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

Canadian Provincial GR News

Quebec partners UQAR scientists and artists for climate action-themed projects

Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec and Université du Québec à Rimouski have launched a partnership to fund art projects inspired by ocean climate research, including works on aquaculture and hypoxia in the St. Lawrence.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.quebec.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Federal funding announcement for P.E.I.’s shellfish industry leaves some oyster fishers disappointed: Some PEI oyster fishers express concerns over recent federal support measures for the shellfish sector.
• Tech Update: To tackle global food security, new innovations will be critical: Advances in technology are seen as pivotal for addressing global food security challenges.
• P.E.I. government calls on Ottawa for cash support as oyster diseases impact industry: PEI is requesting additional federal assistance as oyster disease outbreaks challenge producers.
• As the world discovers the Faroe Islands, there’s a push for local food: Increased interest in the Faroe Islands is driving demand for locally sourced food items.

.