Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard Joanne Thompson (St. John’s East, N.L.) and the Eastern Ministers responsible for Fisheries and Aquaculture from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Québec, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador met on July 24, 2025, in Moncton, N.B., to discuss and collaborate on pressing issues facing the eastern Canadian … Read more
On July 9, 2025, in Prince Rupert, B.C., provincial court, Roger Atchison, onboard captain and co-owner of the commercial fishing vessel Savage Eagle, pled guilty to multiple violations of Canada’s Fisheries Act. Atchison released over 9,000 pounds of rockfish and failed to keep accurate and complete records of his fishing activities. These actions are violations of the … Read more
Fisheries and Oceans Canada conducted a joint roadside inspection blitz with the Manitoba Government from June 20 to 22 on Highway 1 near the Manitoba-Ontario border to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS). The blitz saw 383 vehicles transporting 436 watercraft inspected, with 110 watercraft failing to meet clean, drain, and dry standards … Read more
Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard Joanne Thompson (St. John’s East, N.L.) announced a $4.1 million investment for the reconstruction of the Torbay wharf in Newfoundland and Labrador which is a hub for commerce, community and local culture. The full release is available online. Contact andrew.richardson@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
On May 22, 2025, Stefan Grega, owner of the commercial fishing vessel the Pacific Sunrise, pled guilty to multiple violations of Canada’s Fisheries Act. During the 2022-2023 commercial Halibut fishery, Grega illegally retained and sold fish caught in the Haida Gwaii Archipelago during a fishery closure. The court imposed a $30,000 fine and ordered Grega to … Read more
On May 22, 2025, in Campbell River Provincial Court in British Columbia, Stephen Michael White was fined $5,000 after being found guilty in November 2024 of violating Section 7(1) of the Marine Mammal Regulations. White was recorded speeding toward a pod of Pacific white-sided dolphins on his jet ski, coming within just a few feet while … Read more
Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard Joanne Thompson (St. John’s East, N.L.) announced management plans for Northern cod (2J3KL) and Capelin (2J3KLPs) for the 2025-26 seasons, reinforcing support for Newfoundland and Labrador’s coastal communities. Recent scientific data and assessments confirm Northern cod has remained stable since 2017 and is at a higher … Read more
Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard Joanne Thompson (St. John’s East, N.L.) announced the launch of the S-100 Sea Trials on the St. Lawrence River. The S-100 data model is a new global standard created by the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), which offers a new way of visualizing the marine environment using … Read more
Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard Joanne Thompson (St. John’s East, N.L.) announced details for the Unit 1 commercial Redfish fishery for 2025-2026. This fishery was under a moratorium from 1995 until 2024, when the Government of Canada re-opened it following the significant rebound in the stock’s population. Following consultations with the Redfish … Read more
From June 9-13, Fisheries and Oceans Canada led the Canadian delegation at the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), which took place in Nice, France. During the Conference, Canada led on a series of events including: An Ocean Action Panel co-chaired with Palau, leading thoughtful discussions on advancing sustainable ocean governance, conservation and responsible use … Read more
