Fisheries and Oceans Canada

	DFO CORE ACTIVITIES: Marine Safety   Scientific research   Conservation and sustainable resource use   Protection of oceans environment and fish habitat   Maritime trade, commerce and ocean development

Coastal and Water Statistics

Surrounded by the Arctic, Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and home to the Great Lakes, Canada is one of the foremost maritime nations on the planet. Canada boasts the world's:

• longest coastline (243,792 km) - stretched out as a continuous line, it would circle the equator more than six times (25% of world's coastline);
• largest offshore economic zone (200 nautical miles) - 3.7 million square km, equivalent to 37% of Canada's total landmass;
• largest freshwater system - Canada's two million lakes and rivers cover 7.6% of our landmass (755,000 square km);
• longest inland waterway (3,700 km) - from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to Lake Superior;
• largest archipelago - Canada's Arctic islands, including six of the world's 30 largest islands, cover 1.4 million square km;
• world's greatest tidal range - 16 metres in the Bay of Fundy.

	CANADA'S FISHERIES AND OCEANS INDUSTRIES Oceans Industries (2000) Value of Output: $22.7 billion Employment : 152,000 jobs Commercial Catches (2005) Quantity: 1,096,645 tonnes Value: $2 billion Aquaculture production (2005) Quantity: 154,993 tonnes Value: $715.1 million

Marine Safety

The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) works to save lives and protect the marine environment. Each year, CCG helps more than 4,500 small fishing vessels or recreational boaters in distress. On an average day, CCG employees:

• save eight lives
• assist 55 people in 19 Search and Rescue cases;
• service 55 aids to navigation
• manage 2,436 commercial ship movements
• handle 1,127 radio contacts
• initiate 14 Boating Safety education activities
• process nine Navigable Water Protection applications;
• respond to five reported cases of environmental pollution incidents;
• carry out five fisheries patrols
• escort four commercial ships through ice; and
• support three hydrographic missions and three scientific surveys.

Canadian Waters

The growing number of diverse users of Canada's oceans has created a need for a unified vision and an integrated approach to oceans management - one that effectively considers the impact of individual sector activities on each other, and on the oceans as a whole. Canada's Oceans Strategy represents the Government of Canada's vision and direction for modern oceans management based on the principles of sustainable development, integrated management and the precautionary approach. Recognizing the importance of involving all Canadian oceans interests in oceans management, DFO is collaborating with others to improve its scientific understanding and protection of the marine environment, ensure the sustainable development of ocean resources, and reinforce its international reputation as a world leader in oceans management.

	RECREATIONAL FISHERY Fishing is a major national pastime. More than 3.6 million adults fished in Canada in 2000. Recreational fishers spent more than 48 million days fishing in Canada, catching almost 233 million fish. However, the number of fish being taken home is declining - in 1995, anglers kept 113 million fish, while in 2000 that number was reduced to 85 million.

Scientific Excellence

For over 100 years, DFO's scientists and engineers have made significant contributions to the research, development and understanding of Canada's three oceans, freshwaters and coastlines. Canada enjoys a strong international reputation in fisheries research, hydrography, oceanography and aquatic environmental science. DFO operates 13 research facilities across the country and employs more than 2,000 scientists, engineers and technicians.

There are five core areas of scientific research at DFO:

Aquaculture Science conducts research and transfers the latest technologies to the rapidly growing aquaculture industry.

Environmental Science involves research programs related to the conservation and protection of aquatic habitats - in particular, monitoring chemical, physical and biological conditions that affect the aquatic environment.

Hydrography provides nautical charts for commercial shipping, recreational boating, and the fishing industry. It also provides vital information on water levels and tides.

Fisheries Research provides the scientific basis for conservation and sustainable economic use of Canadian fishery resources.

Scientists in Ocean Science conduct research on the physical and biological characteristics of the oceans along Canada's coastlines. The program includes activities in physical and biological oceanographic research, and in ocean-climate studies necessary to better understand the oceans' ecosystems.

Aquaculture

Aquaculture is the farming of fish and shellfish for food. Canada's aquaculture industry provides more than 14,000 direct and indirect jobs and generates close to $1 billion each year in Canadian economic activity. The latest figures show that the Canadian aquaculture industry produced more than 154,000 tonnes of product in 2005, valued at $715.1 million. As the demand for seafood products increases, the aquaculture industry will continue to provide important economic opportunities in rural and coastal communities.

	ECONOMIC IMPACTS Roughly seven million Canadians live in coastal areas, where many people depend on the oceans' resources and tourism to make a living.   There were 23,244 commercial fishing vessels registered in Canada in 2004.   The value of Canada's fisheries landings in 2005 remained steady at $2 billion.   Canada's fishery imports were $2 billion in 2005. In 2005, there were approximately 11,000 businesses in the ocean sector, including fish processing, aquaculture, offshore oil and gas, transportation, coastal tourism, construction, technologies, ocean services, hydrography and engineering.

General Inquiries:
1-866-266-6603
www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/Contact_e.htm

Last updated : 2007-01-25

Important Notices