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: 2026-02-02 to 2026-02-08

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

This Week's Parliamentary Calendar

• House Committee on Fisheries and Oceans: Marine and Coastal Protections (Feb 9): On February 9, the House of Commons Fisheries and Oceans Committee will study Marine and Coastal Protections, featuring witnesses from Dalhousie University, Canada's Ocean Supercluster, Fish, Food and Allied Workers, Qikiqtani Inuit Association, and Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nation (11:00 AM to 1:30 PM, Wellington Building).
• Senate Fisheries and Oceans Committee: Bill C-15, Division 33 Review (Feb 10): The Senate Fisheries and Oceans Committee meets February 10 to consider Division 33 of Part 5 of Bill C-15 regarding budget implementation, with witnesses to be confirmed (6:30 PM, Room W110).
• Senate Agriculture and Forestry Committee: Food Security Review (Feb 12): The Senate Agriculture and Forestry Committee convenes February 12 to examine the agriculture and agri-food sector’s role in food security, with experts from Dalhousie University, Smart Prosperity Institute, Greener Village, Safe Food Matters Inc., and the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity (8:00 AM, Room B45).
• Senate Committee on Energy, Environment and Natural Resources: Offshore Industry and Fisheries (Feb 12): On February 12, the Senate’s Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee examines Newfoundland and Labrador’s offshore petroleum sector, with appearances by Unifor Local 2121 and Fisheries and Oceans Canada officials (8:00 AM, Room B30).

Federal Government News

DFO Begins Inshore Fishery Regulatory Review, Moves to Modernize Licensing Regimes

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has initiated a comprehensive review of inshore fisheries regulations to strengthen independent fishing enterprises in Atlantic Canada and Quebec. The review aims to clarify rules, reduce regulatory complexity, and enable local licence holders to retain control of their businesses. Early engagement with harvesters is ongoing, with planned broader consultation rounds to follow. In parallel, DFO is seeking to amend gear soak time requirements for Atlantic Canada, Quebec, and Nunavut fisheries, transitioning from a uniform standard to a more adaptable, fleet-based arrangement. This would provide flexibility for operations and crew safety. On the West Coast, the Commercial Fisheries Modernization initiative continues, including development of a licence and quota registry and plans for a modernized business-adaptive licensing structure. All measures are being shaped through input from harvesters, Indigenous communities, and industry, with a view toward improving regulatory efficiency and local economic return.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada Introduces Five-Year Whalesafe Fishing Gear Strategy

On February 3, Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson announced the Whalesafe Fishing Gear Strategy, a five-year plan to reduce whale entanglements and promote fisheries sustainability. The strategy targets both endangered North Atlantic right whales and other at-risk species, outlining collaboration with harvesters and technology developers to implement on-demand and 'ropeless' fishing gear in targeted fisheries. Feedback collected from Indigenous groups, gear manufacturers, and NGOs has shaped the plan’s approach. Before wide implementation, new gear will be tested with industry partners to accommodate operational realities. The initiative intends to reduce entanglements while maintaining safe and viable fishing activity.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Standing Senate Committee Hears on Harvester Independence and Market Barriers

The Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans, chaired by Senator Bev Busson, convened on February 5 to hear from the Prince Edward Island Fishermen's Association on the independence of inshore fisheries in Atlantic Canada and Quebec. Executive Director Ian MacPherson spoke to challenges such as high entry costs, enforcement of regulations, and the effects of corporate concentration in fish processing. Additional topics included resource allocation by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), the implementation of owner-operator policies, and concerns around foreign ownership. The discussion also covered innovation uptake, funding for new entrants, and warming ocean impacts on lobster stocks. MacPherson noted the need for legislative protection of seafood resources and stronger integration of industry knowledge in DFO’s scientific assessments.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

Senate Committee Studies Bill C-15’s Impact on Northern Fisheries and Fish Processing Transitions

The Senate’s Fisheries and Oceans Committee met on February 3 to examine the transition of commercial fisheries in the Northwest Territories in context of Bill C-15. The session reviewed the pending divestiture of the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation (FFMC) and discussed new operational arrangements for the Hay River fish-processing plant, currently owned by the government but operated by FFMC. While the facility remains a central hub for Great Slave Lake landings, provincial representatives indicated a preference for northern or Indigenous management after FFMC’s exit. Stakeholder consultations, including with Indigenous harvesters, are ongoing as the region navigates potential economic impacts and value-added processing opportunities.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

StatsCan Data: Arctic Sea Ice Extent Falls to 900,000 km² in 2024

Statistics Canada's latest Census of Environment release notes that minimum summer sea ice extent across Canadian waters has declined to 900,000 square kilometres in 2024, a drop from 1.53 million square kilometres in 1980. The report underscores effects for northern communities, particularly Inuit fishers and hunters who depend on sea ice for travel and subsistence.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Technical Briefing Held Ahead of Whalesafe Fishing Gear Announcement

On February 2, Fisheries and Oceans Canada hosted a media technical briefing under embargo to provide information on the forthcoming Whalesafe Fishing Gear Strategy. The session detailed planned stakeholder engagement processes and embargo conditions applied to media participants, concluding with the official strategy release on February 3.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Monthly Average Retail Prices for Selected Seafood, December 2025

Statistics Canada released updated data on monthly average retail prices for selected products, including seafood, for December 2025. The dataset offers the latest figures relevant for tracking seafood market pricing and retail trends.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

Manitoba Announces Funding for Potential Hudson Bay Marine Conservation Area

The Manitoba government has allocated $250,000 to examine the feasibility of a national marine conservation area in western Hudson Bay, with additional contributions from Oceans North. The initiative involves Parks Canada, Indigenous partners, and stakeholder engagement.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

Freshwater Fishing Licences in B.C. Transition to WILD Online System in 2026–27

Starting for the 2026–27 season, British Columbia anglers will use the province's WILD online system to obtain freshwater fishing licences, aligning fishing and hunting licence processes and introducing streamlined access and verification.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Annual Burbot Recovery Operations Resume in Lower Kootenay Watershed

BC, in coordination with U.S. and Indigenous partners, has launched its annual burbot fish recovery and stocking efforts in the Lower Kootenay watershed, with Moyie Lake serving as the primary egg collection site for both restoration and subsistence fisheries.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

New Brunswick Funds Ocean and Aquatic Research through ResearchNB

Five new research initiatives have been funded in New Brunswick under the Priority Sector Development Fund, with projects targeting marine ecosystems and aquatic resilience among other sectors.

Sources: www2.gnb.ca

Government Consultations

CFIA Seeks Comments on Hatchery and Feed Establishment Licensing Fees

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is soliciting stakeholder feedback until February 11 on aligning hatchery and feed establishment licensing fees with Safe Food for Canadians regulations.

Sources: inspection.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Ottawa launches five-year fishing strategy to protect whales, reduce entanglements: Media coverage on the federal government's new plan for whalesafe gear.
• Video: Caribou is rescued by fish harvesters in icy waters of Newfoundland harbour: News video featuring local harvesters' rescue of a caribou.
• N.L. terminates MOU that could have seen south coast fjords become conservation area: Article on Newfoundland and Labrador's decision to end a conservation MOU.
• Axing N.L. ocean conservation site a ‘blow’ to national goals, say environment groups: Report on reactions to cancellation of a planned conservation area on the Newfoundland and Labrador coast.

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