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: 2026-04-05 to 2026-04-11

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🏛️ This Week's Parliamentary Calendar
• 🇨🇦 Federal Government News
• 🗺️ Provincial Government News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Parliamentary Calendar

• FOPO (Fisheries and Oceans) Committee to review Fisheries Act draft report (In Camera) – April 13, 2026: The House of Commons Fisheries and Oceans Committee will meet in camera on April 13, 2026 to consider a draft report as part of its ongoing review of the Fisheries Act.
• FOPO Committee to study opening and closing dates of marine harvesting seasons – April 15, 2026: On April 15, 2026, the committee will hear witnesses from fishers’ associations and sport fishing groups on factors determining the opening and closing dates for marine harvesting.
• Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans to examine Pacific Coast commercial fisheries licensing – April 14, 2026: The Senate committee will convene April 14, 2026, to hear from the United Fishermen and Allied Workers' Union and Skipper Otto Community Supported Fishery on the commercial fisheries licensing regime.
• Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans to assess the independence of Atlantic commercial inshore fisheries – April 16, 2026: On April 16, 2026, the Senate committee will hear from the Fundy North Fishermen's Association and other witnesses regarding owner-operator policies and inshore fishery independence.
• Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs to study Bill C-13, UK accession to CPTPP – April 16, 2026: The Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade will review Bill C-13 on the UK's accession to the CPTPP on April 16, 2026, with testimony from Global Affairs and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada officials.

Federal Government News

Government of Canada renews Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative with additional $412.9 million

On April 7, 2026, Fisheries and Oceans Canada announced a $412.9 million commitment over five years to renew the Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative (PSSI). Minister Joanne Thompson confirmed the program's continuation, raising total funding to $1.1 billion over ten years. PSSI, launched in 2021, includes collaborative measures with more than 40 First Nations and over 400 partners, focusing on habitat restoration, fish stock rebuilding, and combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. The first phase saw 15.7 million m² of salmon habitat restored and the retirement of 538 commercial salmon licences. The renewal builds on building new conservation hatcheries, modernizing over 70 hatchery facilities, and expanding conservation enhancement partnerships. 73 projects have been supported through the BC Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund. The new funding aims to advance selective fishing technologies, improve monitoring, reduce marine debris, and strengthen science to address population declines in Pacific salmon. These measures remain central to federal efforts to maintain ecosystem and economic stability for communities in British Columbia and Yukon.

Sources: www.canada.ca, www.canada.ca, www.thestar.com, www.cbc.ca

DFO expands mass marking of hatchery-origin Chinook salmon in southern British Columbia

On April 8, 2026, the Honourable Joanne Thompson, Minister of Fisheries, announced an expansion of mass marking for all DFO hatchery-origin Chinook salmon in southern B.C. Under the renewed PSSI, the department will use specialized mass-marking equipment and techniques to mark all hatchery-produced Chinook with the removal of the adipose fin. This expansion brings Canada in line with practices in Washington, Alaska, Oregon, and California. Marking will allow for more precise identification and separation of hatchery and wild stocks, improving both management and scientific oversight. The initiative supports the objectives of improved conservation, scientific understanding, and targeted fishery operations. Investments made through PSSI have increased capacity for mass marking and support ongoing hatchery modernization.

Sources: www.canada.ca, www.thestar.com

Canadian Coast Guard to receive new mid-shore multi-mission vessels under awarded design contract

The Government of Canada, through the National Shipbuilding Strategy, awarded a $9.6 million design contract for Canadian Coast Guard mid-shore multi-mission vessels (MSMMs) to Kongsberg Vanguard LP, including Ottawa-based Adaptive Marine Solutions Inc. in partnership with Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace and Salt Ship Design. This contract covers the development and finalization of MSMM vessel designs, with industry engagement for construction expected later in 2026 for up to six vessels. MSMMs are slated to replace mid-shore science vessels and will provide new capacity for science, hydrographic surveys, search and rescue, navigation support, icebreaking, and environmental response across Canadian waters. The procurement must meet a minimum Canadian content requirement of 80% and is part of a broader fleet renewal program for both the Coast Guard and Royal Canadian Navy.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Provincial Government News

Quebec amends law to improve fisheries product marketing board efficiency

Quebec sanctioned new amendments to reduce bureaucracy in the Agricultural and Food Markets Board, with changes affecting board structure, quorum, and notice publication for the marketing of agricultural, food, and fishing products.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

Ontario individual fined for unlawful fishing practices

An individual from Huron County was fined $6,000 and banned from fishing for three years after convictions for the unlawful spearing of rainbow trout, fishing without a licence, and night fishing violations.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

B.C. supports pilot-scale marine technology innovation

British Columbia announced nearly $3.5 million in funding for 14 companies piloting new technologies in marine operations, including smart-control systems for workboats, AI-powered fog forecasting, and marine mammal detection.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Seafood processors turn to the courts in effort to get N.L.'s crab fishery started: Newfoundland and Labrador seafood processors seek judicial action to address crab fishery access issues.
• Salmon groups want non-resident guide regulations tightened to prevent abuse: Salmon conservation groups call for stricter non-resident guiding rules.
• Why freshwater migratory fish need ‘safe passage’ globally as numbers decline: Media analysis of global trends affecting migratory fish populations.

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