Canada’s fishing industry is worth $36.1 billion and is essential to the livelihood of hundreds of thousands of citizens in various ways. Ocean sustainability is of paramount importance to Canada, given its vast coastline and rich yet delicate marine ecosystems that need careful protection. Canada’s coastlines are under threat due to pollution, climate change and unregulated overfishing of certain species. Public policy plays a crucial role in this arena, with initiatives like the Fisheries Act aiming to protect fish and fish habitats while promoting sustainable fisheries. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as the Pacific Salmon Foundation or the World Wild Life Fund advocate for the conservation of marine life, particularly focusing on lobbying government to take action on harmful commercial fishing practices.
Photo of Salmon going up stream for mating in BC’s North Vancouver
These efforts are vital for maintaining the delicate balance of Canada's marine ecosystems, which support biodiversity and contribute significantly to the country's economy. Indigenous practices and knowledge are increasingly recognized as essential components of ocean sustainability. This site will focus on working to integrate traditional ecological knowledge into conservation efforts, emphasizing the cultural and spiritual importance of marine resources to Indigenous communities. While Indigenous knowledge is not the only knowledge we have about fishing, there is a considerable gap in public information revolving around Indigenous tradition. Overfishing poses a significant threat not only to marine ecosystems but also to Indigenous cultural practices, which have been practicing sustainable fishing for generations. This holistic approach to ocean sustainability, combining government policy, NGO advocacy, ecosystem preservation, and Indigenous wisdom, is crucial for ensuring the long-term health of Canada's oceans and coastal communities.
Our ocean ecosystems are rich in biodiversity yet remain vulnerable. Explore the ecological impacts of commercial fishing, and understand how climate change and pollution have altered our relationship with Canada’s marine environments.
Learn more about what our federal, provincial and municipal governments are doing to protect our oceans and regulate commercial and sport fishing. This section will detail important bills such as the Fisheries Act and the Oceans act, and how they have changed over time.
Indigenous peoples had a deep and spiritual relationship with “our” oceans thousands of years before settlers arrived. Find out detailed information on Indigenous cultural practices regarding fishing and oceans and how government interference has affected Canada’s indigenous populations. This section will also contextualize why Indigenous knowledge is an essential part of understanding fishing practices in Canada.
Canadians from coast to coast rely on fishing to support their families, and while Indigenous groups have a strong cultural claim to fishing, settler populations also have significant relationships with fish. This section explores some of Canada’s history regarding relationships with fish and how declining fish populations have decimated the livelihood of thousands of people.
Convention on the Law of the Seas: A global effort to help our oceans