Bill C-68 amends the Fisheries Act to update and strengthen the laws around fish and fish habitats. The goal is to better protect fish and their homes, while also working with Indigenous communities. The changes include considering Indigenous knowledge and rights when making decisions that affect fisheries. The bill also allows the government to create agreements with Indigenous groups to help manage fisheries. It also gives the Minister the power to quickly stop or change fishing activities if there's a threat to fish populations.
The Act introduces new rules for protecting fish habitats and preventing pollution. It sets clear rules about what activities can harm fish and their habitats, and it allows the government to set standards for avoiding or reducing that harm. It also creates a way for people to create "fish habitat banks," where they can improve fish habitats and earn credits to offset damage caused by other projects. The bill strengthens the ability to enforce the law, giving more power to officers and increasing fines for breaking the rules.
Bill C-68 includes measures related to fish stocks. It includes new measures to maintain fish stocks, limit reference points, and rebuild stocks. When managing fisheries, the Minister will take steps to keep major fish populations at healthy levels. The bill addresses shark finning, also. The new rules mean it's against the law to cut off a shark's fins and throw the body back into the ocean. It also controls the import and export of shark fins. This bill also looks at how things affect Indigenous people and considers their traditional knowledge when making decisions.
Finally, the Act will require a review every five years to make sure it is working well. This review will help to make sure the law continues to protect fish and their habitats effectively.
Spending
The Bill includes provisions for advisory panel members to be paid for attending meetings and reimbursed for travel and living expenses, in accordance with Treasury Board directives. Additionally, the Minister can set fees for services, facilities, regulatory processes, products, or cost recovery related to the Fisheries Act, although these fees cannot exceed the cost to the government.
Environmental Protection
This bill focuses heavily on environmental protection by amending the Fisheries Act to strengthen the protection of fish and fish habitats. It introduces measures to prevent pollution, manage aquatic invasive species, and establish ecologically significant areas. The bill also enables the creation of fish habitat banks to offset damage to fish habitats.
Crime
The bill updates and strengthens enforcement powers and establishes an alternative measures agreements regime. It also increases fines for contraventions of the Act.