The Sustainable Fisheries and Oceans Division provides strategic guidance to advance Newfoundland and Labrador’s interests in fisheries and oceans resource management. The Division leads work in various areas, including fisheries science, oceans planning and management, and marine conservation.

The Division works closely with the Government of Canada and a wide range of stakeholders, including other provincial governments, industry groups, non-governmental organizations, Indigenous organizations, academia, and communities, to share information, build partnerships, and support decisions based on the best available evidence. The Division also contributes to scientific assessments, advisory committees, technical working groups, and ocean governance committees.

The Division engages regionally, nationally, and internationally through information-sharing networks and international forums to provide provincial input on fisheries management and ocean resource challenges. Through these efforts, it supports the sustainable use of fisheries resources and integrated management of coastal and ocean areas.

Services

The main area of responsibility includes:

• Provincial contribution to scientific analysis and assessment for supporting fisheries and oceans resource management;
• Providing strategic advice and developing provincial positions on fisheries and oceans management, including stock assessments, marine spatial planning, marine conservation areas, and environmental reviews;
• Representing the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador on advisory committees, working groups, and ocean governance forums at regional, national and international levels;
• Administering the Fisheries Resource Grant Program, supporting initiatives that advance knowledge of the province’s fisheries; and,
• Collaborating with federal, provincial and territorial governments, as well as Indigenous, industry, academic, and non-governmental partners, on integrated coastal and ocean management.

Contact

Petten Building
30 Strawberry March Road
P.O. Box 8700
St. John’s, NL
A1B 4J6
Tel: (709) 729-3509
Fax: (709) 729-6082