Fisheries Council of Canada Highlights Global Leadership in Science-Based Ocean Management, Refuting Incomplete Narratives on Fishing
OTTAWA, ON – Amidst growing attention to marine conservation, fueled by releases like David Attenborough's documentary "Ocean," the Fisheries Council of Canada (FCC) has issued a statement underscoring the high regulation and sustainability of the Canadian fishing industry. The FCC urges critical thought and the pursuit of balanced information regarding ocean management.
Canada's fishing industry positions itself as one of the most regulated and sustainable food production systems globally, offering a protein option with a smaller environmental impact in terms of biodiversity and carbon footprint. "The Canadian fishing industry has evolved tremendously over the past few decades,"stated Jason McLinton, President of the FCC. "Our members have led this evolution, developing innovative technologies that minimize environmental impact while economically supporting the coastal communities that depend on these resources."
FCC member companies consistently rank among the top five globally in third-party sustainability certifications from the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), reflecting decades of investment in science-based management. McLinton added that"healthy oceans are not just an environmental necessity, but the foundation of our members' livelihoods and Canada's fishing heritage."
The robust regulatory framework under which FCC members operate is stringent, requiring close collaboration with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and adherence to strict protocols regarding fishing gear, locations, and practices. This system ensures transparency and accountability through comprehensive monitoring, including at-sea observers and electronic reporting.
The FCC addresses recent calls to designate large portions of the oceans as "no-take marine protected areas (MPAs)," noting that MPAs are just one tool. They argue that other fishery management practices have proven more effective in improving fish populations. Sustainability, they assert, is a function of management, not gear type. Canadian trawl fisheries, for example, use seasonal closures, gear modifications, and bycatch controls to minimize impacts, and trawling is not permitted in protected areas. The Canadian trawling industry is "adept at keeping discards to negligible levels," and bycatch is utilized and sold, not discarded.
"FCC members across Canada's Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic waters operate with long-term sustainability top of mind," McLinton concluded. "This commitment extends beyond regulatory compliance, with many companies voluntarily exceeding requirements through industry-led conservation initiatives."
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FCC member companies consistently rank among the top five globally in third-party sustainability certifications from the 
The FCC addresses recent calls to designate large portions of the oceans as "no-take marine protected areas (MPAs)," noting that MPAs are just one tool. They argue that other fishery management practices have proven more effective in improving fish populations. Sustainability, they assert, is a function of management, not gear type. Canadian trawl fisheries, for example, use seasonal closures, gear modifications, and bycatch controls to minimize impacts, and trawling is not permitted in protected areas. The Canadian trawling industry is "adept at keeping discards to negligible levels," and bycatch is utilized and sold, not discarded.
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