12.3. Federal Department of Habitat and Oceans Policy

Managing the overall fish habitat (conserving, restoring, enhancing) is a complex task. The Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans has developed a comprehensive fish habitat management policy to meet this challenge. The Department's general approach to management is an integrated one that involves many different sectors including the general public.

http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/canwaters-eauxcan/infocentre/legislation-lois/policies/fhm-policy/index_e.asp The Policy

Objective is a net gain of habitat for Canada's fisheries resources. The intent is to increase the natural productive capacity of habitats for the nations fisheries resources, to benefit present and future generations of Canadians. The Guiding Principle is the no net loss of the productive capacity of habitats. This principle can be broken down into three main goals:

- Fish Habitat Conservation. Maintain the current capacity of fish habitats supporting Canada's fisheries resources, such that fish suitable for human consumption may be produced.

- Fish Habitat Restoration Rehabilitate the productive capacity of fish habitats in selected areas where economic or social benefits can be achieved through the fisheries resource.

- Fish Habitat Development. Improve and create fish habitats in selected areas where the production of fisheries resources can be increased for the social or economic benefit of Canadians. In order to achieve these goals the Department has developed the following implementation strategies:

- Protection and Compliance Protect fish habitats by administering the Fisheries Act and incorporating fish habitat protection requirements into land and water use activities and projects.

- Integrated Resource Planning Participate in and encourage resource planning and management to incorporate fish habitat priorities into air, land, and water use plans.

- Scientific Research Conduct scientific research to provide the information and technology necessary for the conservation, restoration, and development of fish habitats.

- Public Consultation Consult the public on major or controversial fish habitat issues and on the development of new policies and legislation for fish habitat management.

- Public Information and Education Promote public awareness in the conservation, restoration, and development of fish habitats.

- Cooperative Action Encourage and support involvement by government agencies, public interest groups and the private sector to conserve, restore and develop fish habitats.

- Habitat Improvement Initiate projects and provide advice to other interested groups to restore and develop fish habitats, in support of the net gain objective.

- Habitat Monitoring Evaluate the effectiveness of decisions taken and techniques used to conserve, restore and develop fish habitats.