This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news concerning fisheries, aquaculture, shellfish, and marine conservation. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

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Dates: 2026-03-29 to 2026-04-04

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇨🇦 Federal Government News
• 🗺️ Provincial Government News
• 💬 Government Consultations
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Federal Government News

Expanded Protection Measures for Southern Resident Killer Whales Announced for 2026

On April 2, 2026, the federal government released new and heightened measures to protect the endangered Southern Resident killer whale population along British Columbia's coast. Minister of Transport Steven MacKinnon disclosed that starting June 1, 2026, vessels must not approach within 1,000 metres of these whales, up from the previous 400-metre restriction. Additional management includes mandatory 10-knot speed-restricted zones at Swiftsure Bank and mandatory vessel-restricted zones off Pender and Saturna Islands, effective through November 30, 2026. Whale watching and eco-tourism operators are no longer required to obtain authorizations but are expected to follow voluntary best practices when viewing other whale populations. The measures align with established rules in Washington State. Transport Canada will continue its partnerships with various Canadian and US agencies to oversee compliance and support ongoing recovery efforts. The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority-led ECHO Program will trial an expanded voluntary vessel slowdown in March across key whale habitats. Environment and Climate Change Canada will monitor pollutant threats under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act and Fisheries Act. These steps add complexity and new compliance requirements for marine operators in the region.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada and Qikiqtani Inuit Association Finalize Two New Marine Protected Areas in Nunavut

On March 30, 2026, the federal government and the Qikiqtani Inuit Association celebrated the creation of the Qikiqtait and Sarvarjuaq Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Nunavut. These sites, in Hudson Bay and Baffin Bay respectively, add two percent to Canada’s marine conservation targets, lifting total protected marine area to more than 17 percent. Partners also signed the Sikulia Agreement, which sets out Inuit-led benefit and stewardship arrangements for both marine and new terrestrial areas in the Belcher Islands, with the terrestrial site soon to be designated as the Qikiqtani Nunangit Inuit Protected and Conserved Area. The new MPAs support rich marine biodiversity and sustain economically and culturally important fisheries for northern communities. The announcement details ongoing Inuit leadership and engagement in the oversight of the MPAs, including mechanisms to maintain ecological integrity and local harvest rights. The partnership underpins Canada’s stated objectives for Indigenous-led resource management and marine ecosystem protection in the Arctic.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative Funding Details Scheduled for Release

On April 2, Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson set April 7 as the date when federal officials will share particulars on refreshed funding for the Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative (PSSI) at an event in North Vancouver. The PSSI is the federal government’s central policy instrument for salmon conservation, fishery stock management, and recovery efforts across British Columbia. As pressure on Pacific salmon stocks persists, the announcement is expected to cover renewed funding streams, program expansions, and targeted interventions in critical salmon habitats. This development comes amid continued stakeholder calls for transparency and predictability in Pacific coast fishery supports.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Government Delivers Early Decision on Point Rousse Port Expansion in Newfoundland and Labrador

The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada released its early decision on April 2 regarding the Point Rousse Port Expansion Project in Newfoundland and Labrador. After canvassing input from other jurisdictions, technical experts, and Indigenous groups, the agency determined that potential adverse environmental impacts fall within federal and provincial regulatory controls, including the Fisheries Act and Species at Risk Act. The proponent, Point Rousse Marine Terminal Ltd., will be required to secure relevant federal and provincial permits and comply with a suite of existing environmental statutes such as the Canadian Navigable Waters Act and Newfoundland and Labrador’s Environmental Protection Act. With the assessment phase completed, the port project will move forward subject to required authorizations.

Sources: www.canada.ca

New Data Tool from Statistics Canada Supports Ecosystem Analysis

On March 30, 2026, Statistics Canada launched the Census of Environment Ecosystem Profile Explorer. This online tool presents mapped data and detailed tables for selected regions across Canada, granting users the ability to assess key climate variables and ecosystem profiles relevant to fisheries management. The tool will be updated as new datasets are released, providing industry, researchers, and policymakers with a resource for tracking environmental trends affecting aquatic habitats.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Government of Canada Announces $1.75 Million for Community-Led Food Projects in Northwest Territories

At the March 2026 Food Sovereignty Summit, Minister Rebecca Chartrand pledged up to $1,753,799 through the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency to expand food infrastructure in the Northwest Territories. Among five funded projects are new cold storage, local processing hubs, commercial teaching kitchens, and fishery business expansion for Fish on the Bay in Yellowknife. Projects cover infrastructure for a training centre, new greenhouses for year-round produce cultivation, a commercial kitchen and food hub that will include fish filleting from Great Slave Lake, and the relocation plus expansion of local fishery capacity. The investments are designed to stimulate local food systems, enhance resilience, and support northern commercial fisheries.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada Participates in WTO Ministerial Conference with Focus on Fisheries Subsidies

Global Affairs Canada reported that Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu attended the WTO’s 14th Ministerial Conference in Cameroon from March 26 through March 29. During negotiations, Canada pressed for progress on fisheries subsidies disciplines and reaffirmed support for plurilateral trade agreements and WTO modernization. No final consensus was achieved on the fisheries subsidies framework or a digital trade moratorium, but Canada reiterated continued engagement in ongoing negotiations. Sidhu met bilaterally with international counterparts—many representing major fisheries exporters—to coordinate on priority sectors including aquaculture, wild fisheries, and seafood trade. Additionally, the minister co-chaired a Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) session and participated in an African Business Roundtable highlighting opportunities for Canadian firms engaged in fisheries and seafood.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Provincial Government News

Manitoba Releases 2026 Anglers' Guide, Announces New Regulations

On April 1, the Government of Manitoba issued the 2026 Anglers’ Guide, introducing updated licence fees, changes to possession limits, and new size restrictions for key species. Fishing without a licence is permitted for a short period during spring break, and certain fisheries are closed at various points in April and May as seasonal regulations change.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

British Columbia and Tla’amin Nation Agree on Shared Stewardship Framework

On April 2, the Government of British Columbia and the Tla’amin Nation signed a memorandum of understanding establishing collaborative oversight of land, water, and harvesting rights in the Tla’amin territory, with an emphasis on ecosystem restoration and watershed management.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

BC Parks Licence Plate Program Generates $10 Million for Conservation Initiatives

The BC Government released a report on April 2 detailing that more than $10 million was invested in over 220 conservation projects and programs for parks and protected areas, funded through the BC Parks licence plate initiative. The program’s support covers ecosystem restoration, invasive species management, and wetland rehabilitation, including projects linked to the Columbia Wetlands.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Government Consultations

Health Canada Consultation Opens on Famoxadone Pesticide Registration

On March 31, Health Canada launched a public consultation on the proposed continued registration of famoxadone and its end-use product in Canada, inviting feedback until June 29, 2026. The process involves updates to product labelling and is open to industry stakeholders via the regulator’s website.

Sources: www.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Scotia Harvest adds clams to product list, expands scallop fleet: Scotia Harvest diversifies its portfolio with new clam offerings and additional capacity for scallop harvesting.
• Province not ready to detail how N.S. fisheries will be compensated for offshore wind impact: Nova Scotia’s government has yet to outline its compensation approach for fisheries affected by offshore wind development.
• Trump officials exempt drilling in the Gulf of Mexico from endangered species act, putting rare whale at risk: Policy change in the U.S. removes Endangered Species Act protections for certain offshore oil activities, with implications for whale populations.
• Wild oyster fishers in P.E.I. tense as start of season looms: PEI’s wild oyster sector expresses concern over conditions as the opening of the fishing season approaches.

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