2012-13 Departmental Performance Report

Program 1.1 – Integrated Fisheries Resource Management

Description

The role of Integrated Fisheries Resource Management is to deliver policies, programs, and plans (i.e. Integrated Fisheries Management Plans and Conservation and Harvesting Plans, Rebuilding Plans, Recovery Strategies, and Action Plans) under the Fisheries Act, the Species at Risk Act and related regulations, in consultation with Aboriginal groups, provinces, territories, and industry, to manage, protect, and conserve fisheries resources. The program is necessary to ensure sustainability and provide for the allocation and distribution of harvestable resources among those dependent on the resource (Aboriginal, aquaculture for seed, spat2, commercial and recreational fish harvesters). The program, informed by the scientific assessment of the status of fish, invertebrate, and marine mammals, works to provide Canadians with a sustainable fishery resource that provides for an economically viable and diverse industry. Fisheries and Oceans Canada's policy sectors, other directorates within the Ecosystem and Fisheries Management Sector and the Department's scientific expertise, supported by Canadian Coast Guard Vessels, are integral contributors to the delivery of this program. Components of the program are also coordinated with Environment Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Health Canada, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, provincial, territorial, and municipal governments.

Financial Resources ($ millions)

Total Budgetary Expenditures
(Main Estimates)
2012-13		 Planned Spending
2012-13		 Total Authorities
(available for use)
2012-13		 Actual Spending
(authorities used)
2012-13		 Difference
2012-13
111.6 111.6 121.5 120.4 8.8

Human Resources (full-time equivalents)

Planned
2012-13		 Actual
2012-13		 Difference
2012-13
855 818 -37

Performance Results

Expected
Result		 Performance
Indicator		 Target Actual Result
Major stocks are managed within established conservation limits Percentage of major fish stocks where the harvest rate or level is at or below approved levels (e.g., removal reference, quota)3 85%
by March 31, 2013		 Result: 95.5%

Harvested 148 of 155 stocks at or below approved levels (95.5%), an increase of 7.5% compared to 2011-12. This trend of improvement is expected to continue as the Sustainable Fisheries Framework Policies are implemented.
Commercial fishing industry is economically valuable Landed value of the commercial fishery4 $1.6 billion (2009 value)
by March 31, 2013		 Result: $2.107 billion (2011 value)
Increased 15.4% compared to 2010 value of $1.826 billion.
Source: 2011 Value of Atlantic and Pacific Coasts Commercial Landings
Recreational fishing is an economically valuable use of fishery resources Value of the recreational fishery $7.5 billion
by March 31, 2017		 Result: $8.3 billion (2010 value)
Included $5.8 billion from investments and major purchases of durable goods related to recreational fishing.
Source: 2010 Survey of Recreational Fishing in Canada
Theme III

Programming in this area contributes to the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) 2010-13


FSDS Goal FSDS Performance Indicator FSDS Target FSDS Performance Status
Goal 7 - Biological Resources: Sustainable production and consumption of biological resources are within ecosystem limits Percentage of major fish stocks where the harvest rate or level is at or below approved levels Sustainable fisheries: Improve the management and conservation of major stocks (led by Fisheries and Oceans Canada) Harvested 148 of 155 stocks at or below approved levels (95.5%), an increase of 7.5% compared to 2011-12. This trend of improvement is expected to continue as the Sustainable Fisheries Framework Policies are implemented. For more information, please consult the Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators website.
Theme III

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned


Improving Fisheries Management Priority

  • Sustainable Harvesting Practices — Implemented multi-year planning for the majority of stocks (165 of 198) and, for remaining stocks, established the schedule for peer-reviewed science and the year multi-year planning will be implemented (expected completion by 2014-15). The multi-year approach allows fish harvesters to pursue longer-term business planning, sustainable fishing practices, and, where necessary, fleet rationalization.

Other Program Initiatives

  • Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program — Continued the redesign of the Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program. In particular:
    • Continued engagement through participation in and coordination of the four interdepartmental shellfish committees (also includes representatives from Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Environment Canada, and Health Canada) and developed a brochure on the "Dangers of Illegal Harvesting"; and
    • Expanded prohibited harvesting boundaries in 52 harvest areas to protect against viral risks. Reviewed and found efficiencies in the Conditional Management Plan implementation process. As of March 31, 2013, 25 Conditional Management Plans were in force and four plans were being negotiated. Measures were put in place to mitigate any potential food safety risks while negotiations are being completed.
  • E-Access: Access Key — Developed and implemented the E-Access application allowing Fisheries and Oceans Canada fishing clients to securely access the Department's databases to conduct e-transactions, access information, or generate reports on their own fishing activities. Launched the following pilot applications:
    • Vessel Monitoring Information Portal;
    • Marine Services Billing application;
    • National Online Licensing System (phased implementation to be complete in 2013-14); and
    • Integration plan for the Aquaculture Integrated Information System (AQUIIS).
  • Respond to Evaluations and Audits — Implemented the management action plans developed in response to the 2011-12 Evaluation of the Integrated Fisheries Resource Management Program: Commercial Fisheries, Recreational Fisheries, and the Fisheries Science Collaborative Program and the Audit of Commercial and Aboriginal Fisheries - Conservation and Protection. The Evaluation of the Atlantic Salmon Endowment Fund did not require a management action plan.
    • Lesson Learned: Recreational licences should be included in the National Online Licensing System. They will be integrated into future versions of the system.

Sub-Programs

In 2012-13, the Integrated Fisheries Resources Management Program was delivered through four sub-programs, as indicated in the Program Alignment Architecture:

Program Evaluation... In 2011-12, the Department completed the Evaluation of the Integrated Fisheries Management Program: Commercial Fisheries, Recreational Fisheries and the Fisheries Science Collaborative Program.


Footnotes

1 The term 'spat' refers to an oyster or similar bivalve mollusk in the larval stage.

2 The term 'broodstock' refers to a group of sexually mature individuals of a cultured species that is kept separate for breeding purposes.

3 'Major fish stocks' generally refers to, but is not limited to, fish stocks with an annual landed value of greater than $1 million or an annual landed weight of greater than 2,000 tonnes.

4 Excludes freshwater commercial fisheries, which are mostly managed provincially.