Key facts about Canada’s Fisheries Act

What is the Fisheries Act?

The Fisheries Act is Canada’s main federal legislation to manage and protect Canada’s fisheries resources. The Fisheries Act applies to all waters in the fishing zones, internal waters and territorial seas of Canada. It was enacted in 1868.

How does the Fisheries Act protect Canada’s fisheries resources from pollution?

The Fisheries Act contains requirements for preventing pollution in Canadian waters called the pollution prevention provisions. These provisions protect fish, fish habitat and the use of fish by humans by prohibiting pollution that could be harmful.

The provisions state that you cannot deposit deleterious (harmful) substances into water frequented by fish at any time or in any place where they may eventually enter water frequented by fish. This includes rivers, lakes, and estuaries, but also shorelines, beaches, or even road side ditches.

Who do the pollution prevention provisions of the Fisheries Act apply to?

They apply to everyone, including the public, companies, organizations and all levels of government. They apply even if you have been granted permits and authorizations of any kind from the federal, provincial or municipal governments. These include permits issued by Fisheries and Oceans Canada under the Fisheries Act’s habitat protection provisions.

Everyone in Canada must ensure that their activities are managed to prevent the deposit of deleterious substances into waters frequented by fish.

Who is responsible for pollution prevention under the Fisheries Act?

Fisheries and Oceans Canada is generally responsible for the Fisheries Act, including issuing permits for works, undertakings, and activities under the habitat protection provisions of the Fisheries Act.

Environment and Climate Change Canada is responsible for administering and enforcing the pollution prevention provisions of the Fisheries Act. However, the application of these provisions to aquaculture, and the control and eradication of aquatic invasive species and aquatic pests, are under the responsibility of Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

Need more information?

Consult our FAQ or Fisheries Act Registry: pollution prevention, or contact us at:

Forest Products and Fisheries Act Division
Environment and Climate Change Canada
351 St. Joseph Blvd, Gatineau, QC  K1A 0H3
FPFA-PFLP@ec.gc.ca