Title: An Overview of Fisheries and Oceans Canada DFO
1An Overview of Fisheries and Oceans Canada(DFO)
- Presentation at CONXEMAR
- by
- Jean-Claude Bouchard
- Associate Deputy Minister
www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
October 2004
2Overview of Presentation
- About Canada
- Some Facts
- Importance of Fisheries
- Fisheries Jurisdiction and Legislation
- About DFO
- Regional and Organizational Structure
- Clients and Stakeholders
- Fisheries Management Renewal
- Oceans Management
- Fisheries Research
- Coast Guard
- Conclusions
3Some Facts About Canada
- Population of about 32 million
- 7 million in coastal areas
- Total area of nearly 10 million km2
- Features the worlds
- Longest coastline (over 240,000 km)
- Largest freshwater system (2 million lakes and
rivers) - Greatest tidal range (16 m, in the Bay of Fundy)
- 3.7 million km2 offshore economic zone
4Importance of Fisheries to Canada
- 4.5 billion in exports of fish and seafood
products last year - 5th largest in the world
- 446 million in exports to the European Union
- Primary fisheries production in 2002 -- 2.8
billion - Fisheries provided over 50,000 direct jobs in
2002 - Aquaculture provided 14,000 more, directly or
indirectly
5Jurisdiction and Legislation over Canadian
Fisheries
- Federal, provincial, and territorial government
cooperation important - Sea coast and inland fisheries are federal
jurisdiction - Key, relevant federal legislation
- Fisheries Act
- Oceans Act
- Coastal Fisheries Protection Act
- Species at Risk Act
- Provinces responsible for processing sector and
labour
6DFO Regional Structure
7DFO Organizational Structure
Larry Murray Deputy Minister Jean-Claude
Bouchard Associate Deputy Minister
Hon. Geoff Regan Minister Fisheries and Oceans
John Adams Commissioner Canadian Coast Guard
Regions
Sectors
Policy
Central and Arctic
Quebec
Fisheries and Aquaculture Management
Science
Gulf
Newfoundland and Labrador
Human Resources and Corporate Services
Oceans and Habitat
Maritimes
Pacific
8DFOs Clients and Stakeholders
- Parliamentarians (Members of the House of
Commons, Senators, and Parliamentary Committees) - Provincial/Territorial Governments
- Industry
- Unions/Associations
- Aboriginal Groups
- Public
9Examples of DFO Fisheries Management Renewal
- Working closely with other jurisdictions, clients
and stakeholders to review policies - A Policy Framework for the Management of
Fisheries on Canadas Atlantic Coast (March
2004) - Conservation of the resource as the priority
- Greater industry self-reliance
- Transparent, rules-based decision-making
- and a stable access and allocation approach
- Shared stewardship
10Examples of DFO Fisheries Management Renewal
- Government of Canada investments in international
fisheries management - Increased diplomatic interventions by DFO and
Foreign Affairs Canada to change international
fisheries governance - Expanded aerial surveillance and at-sea patrols
in the NAFO Regulatory Area
11Key Initiatives in Oceans Management
- Canada's Oceans Strategy to maintain and enhance
our marine environment and address increasing
demands - Integrated, comprehensive vision
- Integrating economic opportunities with social
and environmental goals - Engaging Canadians in decision making
- Marine Protected Areas to conserve and protect
unique habitats, species at risk, biodiversity,
and productivity - Integrated Management and Marine Environmental
Quality Guidelines are also key tools
12Fisheries Research at DFO
- Scientific basis for conservation and sustainable
economic use of fishery resources - DFO scientists provide advice on
- Status of fish stocks
- Conservation objectives
- Information on marine ecosystem issues
- Related research in aquaculture,
- environmental science, hydrography, and ocean
science
13Spotlight Maurice Lamontagne Institute (MLI)
- Examples of joint projects
- Sentinel Fisheries Program cooperation with the
fishing industry to develop time series of
abundance indices used in cod stock assessment - St. Lawrence Observatory scientific data portal
developed in partnership with Economic
Development Canada and Saint Lawrence Vision 2000
- Automated Ocean Monitoring project developed in
partnership with the marine transportation
industry to remotely monitor and transmit ocean
surface parameters - Ecotourism and Data Collection Explorama
Discovery Centre of Sainte-Anne-des-Monts
collects temperature, salinity and plankton
biomass depth profiles offers tourists
interested in oceanography a hands-on experience
in data collection and visualization - Whales On-Line - The Whale Researchers
cooperation with the Group for Research and
Education on Marine Mammals
14Canadian Coast Guard (CCG)
- Marine programs and services
- Search and Rescue
- Boating Safety
- Environmental Response
- Icebreaking
- Marine Navigation Services
- Marine Communications and
- Traffic Services
- Navigable Waters Protection
- Support for Scientific Research
- Support for Fisheries Protection
- Support for other government departments, such as
Citizenship and Immigration, Environment, and the
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
15International Dimension of CCG
- Support delivery of Canada's international
obligations in safety, security and environmental
protection, for example - Oil pollution preparedness, response and
cooperation - Prevention of pollution from ships
- Safety of life at sea
- Scientific missions and fisheries protection
- Working with UN International Maritime
Organization and the International Association of
Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse
Authorities
16Conclusions
- DFO works with others to ensure the sustainable
development and safe use of Canadas waters - Opportunities for international cooperation
- Fisheries and Aquaculture Management
- Canadas Oceans Strategy
- Science
- Canadian Coast Guard
- Other areas