Use good scientific evidence and traditional Indigenous knowledge when making decisions affecting fish stocks and ecosystem management.

What success looks like

A new, strong process that integrates scientific information in all major fish stock and ecosystem management decisions.

Government's narrative on progress

The Government of Canada has changed its internal processes to ensure that scientific information and advice are presented as part of decision making. The government is currently developing a plan to implement the precautionary approach policy for all major fish stocks. The new Chief Science Advisor will provide guidance on this. The Whales Initiative, which made available $167.4 million over five years to better protect, preserve and recover endangered whales species in Canada, included funding for research to help the government better understand the factors affecting the health of these whales. This research informed actions to help address threats arising from human activities. As an example of this, DFO announced Fisheries Management Mitigation Measures in February 2019 for the North Atlantic Right Whale.

Note: this is the government's own description, not an independent assessment.