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: 2026-03-08 to 2026-03-14

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

Federal Government News

Canada Launches Negotiations to Revitalize Fisheries Funds

On March 11, the Honourable Joanne Thompson, Minister of Fisheries, announced the start of federal-provincial negotiations for a five-year renewal of Canada’s fisheries funds. These cost-shared programs, previously structured as the Atlantic Fisheries Fund, Quebec Fisheries Fund, and B.C. Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund, were scheduled to sunset on March 31, 2026. The negotiations aim to establish new partnership agreements and investment levels, with priorities including sector innovation and trade diversification. The government intends these agreements to address evolving market and environmental conditions, ensuring sectoral competitiveness and long-term support for Canadian fisheries and aquaculture. The process puts emphasis on partnership with provinces and enabling Canadian harvesters and processors to adapt to shifting dynamics in global markets.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Fisheries Funds Structure and Objectives Detailed

An official Fisheries and Oceans announcement outlined the framework and cumulative impacts of Canada’s fisheries funds—comprising the Atlantic Fisheries Fund (over $400 million since 2017 in Atlantic Canada), Quebec Fisheries Fund ($42.8 million since 2019), and B.C. Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund ($128.55 million since 2019). The federal government contributed 70% and provinces 30% of program funding. Each regional fund focused on local priorities, but all supported objectives in innovation, infrastructure, and science partnerships. Fisheries and Oceans Canada has initiated discussions with provincial partners regarding program revitalization, with new cost-shared commitments under negotiation. The agency signaled the funds' role in facilitating timely investment, adjusting to market disruptions, and enabling sectoral innovation.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada to Feature at Seafood Expo North America

On March 13, Minister Joanne Thompson announced her leadership of the Canadian delegation to the 2026 Seafood Expo North America in Boston, scheduled for March 15 to 17. The event, recognized as the continent’s largest seafood trade exposition, provides Canadian exporters—whose fish and seafood shipments reached $8.5 billion in 2025, with lobster accounting for over $3 billion—with access to international buyers. The Minister’s statement positions the Canadian seafood sector as economically robust, well-regulated, and supported by science-based fisheries management. The Expo will spotlight Canadian practices in resource harvesting, traceability, and marine conservation, promoting Canadian products and reinforcing their reputation in international markets.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Atlantic Salmon Protection Projects Announced under National Strategy

Minister Joanne Thompson detailed four new initiatives under Canada’s National Strategy to Ensure the Future of Atlantic Salmon on March 13. Supported partners include the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat, Institut de développement durable des Premières Nations du Québec et du Labrador, Atlantic Salmon Federation, and Foundation for Conservation of Atlantic Salmon. Project activities range from developing collaborative governance with Indigenous groups, assessing freshwater habitat connectivity, to convening symposiums on best practices. These initiatives aim to provide tools, enhance data sharing, and build Indigenous governance capacity for salmon conservation across Atlantic Canada and Quebec.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Enforcement: Penalties for Illegal Sea Cucumber Harvesting

In separate judgments at the Campbell River Provincial Court, three individuals were fined a combined $11,600 for exceeding daily possession limits during the recreational Giant Red Sea Cucumber fishery in British Columbia. Inspections by Conservation and Protection officers in May 2025 found significant overharvesting, with 43 sea cucumbers discovered—well above the legal limit of 12 per person. All live specimens were returned to the ocean. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans underscored the role of enforcing the Fisheries Act in protecting slow-moving species, maintaining stock health, and sustaining First Nations food, social, and ceremonial access. Public tips continue to support enforcement efforts.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Early Federal Decision on Bécancour Port Expansion

The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada issued an early decision on March 13, concluding that the Bécancour Port Terminal Expansion Project—B6 Wharf—does not require further federal assessment under the Impact Assessment Act. Analysis found any adverse effects could be addressed through existing federal and provincial regulation, including the Fisheries Act and Species at Risk Act. The Société du parc industriel et portuaire de Bécancour must now seek the necessary permits before proceeding. The full decision and rationale are available in the agency’s public records.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Revised Aquaculture Production Data for Nova Scotia and Canada Released

Statistics Canada published revised datasets on March 13 for aquaculture production and value in Nova Scotia and across Canada for 2024. The new data provides updated figures for both regional and national output, informing stakeholders of any adjustments in industry performance metrics for the previous year.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Federal Minister of Agriculture Heads to Seafood Expo North America for Industry Outreach

On March 13, Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald announced his first official visit to Massachusetts and the 2026 Seafood Expo North America. Minister MacDonald will participate in the Canada Pavilion’s opening, meet Canadian seafood company representatives, and engage stakeholders at various events. The outreach initiative targets expanded trade opportunities and positions Canada as a stable supplier of high-quality seafood and agricultural goods.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Senate Committee Hearings Examined Fisheries Succession, Regulation, and Enforcement

During the Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans meeting on March 12, Senator C. Deacon raised critical questions on transparency at Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), the department's approach to regional management, and industry succession issues. Minister Thompson stated regional DFO management is guided by science and involves direct community engagement, with Indigenous partnership as a priority. Enforcement of illegal fishing and concerns over money laundering were also discussed. The meeting touched on regulatory agility, exploratory lobster licences in Quebec, Mi’kmaw allocations for cod and redfish, and a seal population study related to market access. Owner-operator policy and Canada’s High Seas Treaty ratification were examined, with acknowledgment of differing approaches on the East and West coasts.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

Senate Committee Studies Address Species-at-Risk Reviews and Federal Sustainable Development Strategy

The Senate’s Standing Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources convened March 10 to discuss endangered species review backlogs and the draft 2026–29 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy. Witnesses from the Canadian Wildlife Service described COSEWIC’s ongoing process improvements to manage a backlog, with a goal of 30 additional reviews per year by 2027, while maintaining scientific rigor. The Committee discussed funding, the use of hybrid meetings, and international obligations under the Global Biodiversity Framework. Energy efficiency and electric vehicle targets within the Sustainable Development Strategy were considered alongside the coordination of multiple policy frameworks.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

B.C. Seafood Sector Participates in International Trade Event

The B.C. government announced 19 seafood businesses and associations are joining Minister Lana Popham at the 2026 Seafood Expo North America to develop new export markets and strengthen sector competitiveness. Annual B.C. seafood exports amount to $1.3 billion.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Algonquin Park Bass Overfishing Results in Conviction

Ontario’s Natural Resources ministry reported that Mykola Bondaruk was fined $5,000 and banned from angling for one year after possessing 67 bass over the legal limit in Algonquin Provincial Park.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Government Consultations

Consultation on General Regulations for National Marine Conservation Areas Nears End

The consultation on proposed general regulations under the Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Act is scheduled to close March 15, 2026. The draft regulations are expected in Canada Gazette Part I in 2025.

Sources: www.letstalknmcas.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Fishermen worried about potential salmon farm expansion, says Brier Island resident: Brier Island residents express concerns about the impacts of proposed salmon farm growth.
• B.C. conservation group sounds alarm after DFO cuts salmon restoration staff in Prince George: Conservationists respond to reductions in federal salmon restoration resources.
• More court oversight for troubled investment firm of seafood tycoon John Risley: John Risley's investment firm faces additional court scrutiny.
• Is boiling a live lobster cruel? Why the debate is heating up: CBC reports on renewed debate over animal welfare concerns in lobster preparation.
• Clearwater Seafoods pleads guilty to workplace safety charges in 2024 death: Clearwater Seafoods enters a guilty plea related to a 2024 workplace fatality.
• Saskatchewan adds fees for fishing, EVs, immigration applications: The Star covers new government fees, including those affecting recreational fishing in Saskatchewan.

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