Question Period Note: Total Allowable Catch Increase in Southwest Nova Scotia/ Bay of Fundy Herring Fishery

• Atlantic herring supports an important commercial fishery that contributes millions of dollars to local communities, providing employment for hundreds of people. Atlantic herring is an important food source for larger fish and whales, as well as a main source of bait for other fisheries that power local economies, such as lobster and snow crab.
• I have revised the total allowable catch for the Southwest Nova Scotia and Bay of Fundy Atlantic herring fishery from 16,000 tonnes to 20,000 tonnes for the 2025 fishing season, which is currently underway. I have also set a total allowable catch of 20,000 tonnes for the 2026 season.
• I made this decision after considering all available information, including recent scientific data, which shows that there has been an increase in the survey estimate of the spawning stock biomass—that is, the total weight of all fish that have reached reproductive maturity.
• My Department is committed to advancing economic opportunities for coastal communities, and this increased total allowable catch will help support the people and communities that rely on this fishery for their livelihoods.
• Stock status will continue to be monitored and we will adjust the total allowable catch accordingly in subsequent fishing seasons, using the best available science balanced by considering socio-economic impacts.

• Herring is an important forage fish that plays a critical role in the marine ecosystem and the local economy in the Maritime provinces. The Southwest Nova Scotia/Bay of Fundy (SWNS/BoF) spawning component supported the largest herring fishery in Maritimes Region for many years, yet it has been heavily fished and stock status reports have indicated a need for rebuilding since at least 2001. Successive reductions in the total allowable catch (TAC) did not halt the decline, and in 2018 SWNS/BoF herring re-entered the critical zone, where it remains.
• To promote recovery, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) reduced the TAC from 42,500 tonnes (t) in 2018 to 35,000 t in 2019 and initiated a Management Strategy Evaluation process to develop and test alternative approaches to setting future TACs. In 2020 and 2021, the TAC for SWNS/BoF Atlantic herring was 35,000 t. In 2022, the TAC for SWNS/BoF Atlantic herring was 23,450 t. In 2023, the TAC was reduced further to 21,000 t, then to 16,000 t in 2024. The stock trajectory continued to decline despite these reductions.
• In the absence of consensus among partners and stakeholders on a harvest strategy, and desiring to bring stability to the industry, the previous Minister of Fisheries and Oceans approved a four-year annual TAC of 16,000 t. The 16,000 t TAC was implemented in 2024 and was to stay in effect through 2027.
• The stock status for SWNS/BoF Herring was assessed through peer-review as still in the critical zone in June 2025. The three-year moving average Spawning Stock Biomass increased from 267,455 t in 2023 to 296,430 t in 2024 (a roughly 10 per cent increase), compared to the limit reference point of 317,849 t.
• The next review of the stock assessment framework for SWNS/BoF herring has been initiated and is expected to conclude in the period of October to December 2026, with all efforts being made to adhere to the established timelines.

If pressed on why the four-year total allowable catch was adjusted
• I revised the 2024-2027 total allowable catch based on socio-economic considerations of licence holders, processors, and other implicated industry members.

If pressed on what implications the increase in total allowable catch will have for rebuilding Southwest Nova Scotia/Bay of Fundy herring
• As we move forward with this increase in the total allowable catch, I want to acknowledge that while it supports current harvesting opportunities, it may slow rebuilding of the stock and might require more substantial reductions in the total allowable catch in the medium to longer term.
• As with all total allowable catch decisions, stock rebuilding will continue to be considered as further science is gathered through future stock assessments.