Fisheries Protection Policy Statement 2013.

The Fisheries Protection Policy Statement applies to proponents of existing or proposed works, undertakings or activities that are likely to result in impacts to fish or fish habitat that are part of or support commercial, recreational or Aboriginal fisheries, including projects that have the potential to affect the passage of fish or modify the flow of watercourses. The purpose of the Fisheries Protection Policy Statement is two-fold: 1) to set out how the Department and its regulatory partners will apply the fisheries protection provisions of the Fisheries Act and guide the development of regulations, standards and directives; and 2) to provide guidance to proponents of projects on the application of the fisheries protection provisions of the Fisheries Act. The goal of the Department in applying this Fisheries Protection Policy is to provide for the sustainability and ongoing productivity of commercial, recreational and Aboriginal fisheries. Through the Fisheries Protection Policy Statement, the Department’s objectives are to provide consistent guidance through regulations, standards and directives, and to make regulatory decisions in a timely manner. In this way, proponents will have the necessary information and direction to avoid, mitigate and offset harmful impacts to fish and fish habitat so that they will meet the goal of this policy, and thereby comply with the fisheries protection provisions of the Fisheries Act.
To meet the goal and the objectives of the Fisheries Protection Policy Statement, the Department will be guided by the following principles: Avoid harm, maintaining the productivity of Canada’s fisheries by avoiding impacts to fish and fish habitat. Proponents are responsible for managing and mitigating impacts resulting from their projects. Promote sound decision-making: the Department will be informed by the best available science, technical information and traditional knowledge. Enable best-placed delivery to achieve and deliver the objectives of the fisheries protection provisions. The Department will thus seek to collaborate with partners who have the knowledge, capacity and interest in fisheries conservation and protection when these align with the Department’s mandate, priorities and objectives. Employ a standards-based approach by developing and supporting the use of standards that provide clarity and certainty to proponents while maintaining the sustainability and ongoing productivity of Canada’s fisheries. Consider the ecosystem context: The consideration of cumulative effects on the state, resiliency, and natural biodiversity of the ecosystem will guide the Department in achieving the objectives of the Fisheries Protection Policy Statement.