What does the Fisheries Act do?
The Fisheries Act was first enacted in 1868 and is administered by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. It is primarily aimed at protecting fish and their habitat. However, the Act contains some strong provisions relating to water pollution, and, therefore, provides some protection for surface water. The Fisheries Act: • Prohibits the harmful alteration, disruption or destruction of fish habitat (section 35(1)); • Prohibits the deposit of “deleterious substances” into or near waters frequented by fish (section 36(3)); • Enables the passage of regulations in relation to the deposit of waste, pollutants or deleterious substances (sections 36(4), 36(5) and 43), and • Imposes civil liability for loss or expenses caused by the unlawful deposit of deleterious substances (section 42). A number of regulations have been made under the Fisheries Act in relation to the liquid effluent from various industrial sectors, including chlor-alkali plants, meat and poultry plants, metal mining faciliti
Related Questions
- Does the Sustainable Fisheries Act call for the precautionary principle and start talking about ecosystem-based management?
- Is the completion of a pollution prevention plan under CEPA 1999 adequate to be in compliance with the Fisheries Act?
- Did Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) consult with Canadians on the proposed Fisheries Act?
