Question Period Note: Status of Elver Fishery

• The elver fishery has an important role in supporting the economic health of our Indigenous and coastal communities.
• In 2025, the elver fishery opened with new possession and export regulations, modifications to expand access for Indigenous participation, and management changes including the implementation of a national Elver Monitoring and Traceability reporting tool.
• My Department collaborates with Indigenous partners, commercial licence holders, and stakeholders to ensure a safe, productive, and sustainable fishery.
• Together, these changes are protecting the sustainability of the American eel, combatting unlawful harvesting, and maintaining an orderly fishery.

Elver Fishing Possession and Export
• Elvers are juvenile American eels. All American eels originate from the same spawning location in the Sargasso Sea and are therefore all of the same genetic makeup. They are considered a single, global population.
• The elver fishery is managed with a total allowable catch (TAC) and site-specific river catch limits set for each fishing location (i.e., rivers, streams, and brooks) in licences.
• The elver fishery was closed early in 2023 and remained closed in 2024 due to high levels of unauthorized fishing, resulting in risks to conservation and safety. The season opening in 2025 included reallocating 50 per cent of the fishery’s TAC to increase First Nation participation, updating licence conditions in the fishery and for two new (possession and export) licences, which include the requirement to report through a new elver monitoring and traceability system. Unauthorized fishing continued in 2025; however, an increase in compliance and a more orderly fishery was observed.
• The TAC has been increased to 12,180 kg for the 2026 season. Planning for the season, which could open as early as the regulated season opening of March 1, 2026, is underway.
Species at Risk Act (SARA)
• In 2015-16, Fisheries and Oceans Canada consulted on the possible listing of the American eel under the Species at Risk Act (SARA), followed by a 2024 check-in to confirm the feedback received. Ultimately, based on the outcomes of these consultations, scientific advice, and socio-economic considerations, the Governor in Council issued a formal decision on November 28, 2025, not to add the American eel to Schedule 1 of SARA, opting instead for alternative management options.
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
• The CITES Conference of the Parties was held in late November 2025. The European Union, Honduras, and Panama proposal to include all non-CITES listed freshwater eels, including the American eel, under Appendix II of the convention was not adopted as it didn’t receive two-thirds of the vote needed to pass. Canada voted against this proposal based on a review of the proposal guided by Canada’s principles for CITES.

If pressed on the Elver Monitoring and Traceability tool:
• As of March 1, 2025, anyone in possession of elvers in Canada is required to have a fishing, possession, or export licence based on their role in the supply chain, and to report through the Elver Monitoring and Traceability app.
• Departmental staff provide training and support to ensure all users are able to report in the Elver Monitoring and Traceability system in accordance with their conditions of licence.
• Traceability is critical to ensuring a sustainable and orderly fishery and the new Elver Monitoring and Traceability app allows the Department to track the possession and the movement of elvers from harvest to export.
If pressed on enforcement of the elver fishery:
• In 2026, as in 2025, the Department will deploy additional Fishery Officers to the elver fishery to enhance on-the-ground enforcement and compliance. This will include a strong presence at riverside, inspecting holding facilities and export points, and working with other law enforcement partners to enforce the Fisheries Act.
• This past season, there were reduced levels of disorder between harvesters as well as a decrease in aggression toward Fishery Officers compared to previous seasons—and this momentum is expected to continue.
• Not all enforcement actions are visible; Fishery Officers have a range of compliance measures that they can use depending on a particular situation.
If pressed on the total allowable catch in the elver fishery for 2026:
• Based on the available science, and the trends on the elver index river, the total allowable catch has been increased to 12,180 kilograms for the 2026 season. With the increased total allowable catch, no licence holder will receive less quota than 2025.
• While scientific evidence shows there was a decline in the American eel population in Canada in the mid-1980s through the 1990s, the population has remained stable at that lower level.
• Science advice shows positive returns of elver in the Nova Scotia index river, and the Department will continue to work with licence holders and Indigenous partners on science and monitoring.  
If pressed on the 50 per cent reallocation in 2025 to support fishing in pursuit of a moderate livelihood:
• Providing Indigenous access in fisheries has been an integral part of the Government’s mandate to advance reconciliation with First Nations.
• The 2025 decision to redistribute access to increase First Nations’ participation in the fishery resulted in 60 per cent of the fishery being held by First Nations.
• I have directed a review of the shares and 2026 licence allocations to make progress towards a 50-50 split between the commercial and communal commercial licence holders in this fishery. Engagement and consultation on these proposed changes will be undertaken this month (of February).
If Pressed on decision to not list American eel under the Species at Risk Act.
• The decision not to add American eel to Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act was based on a rigorous analysis, including the outcomes of consultations, scientific advice, socio-economic impacts, and alternative management options.
• My department will ensure protection and management of American eel under its authorities in the Fisheries Act, including by strengthening compliance to reduce impediments to fish passage; by enhancing partnerships with Indigenous peoples to advance restoration projects; and by implementing a Precautionary Approach Framework to support sustainable management of American eel fisheries.
If pressed on the European Union proposal to list all non-listed freshwater under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora at its 20th Conference of Parties.
• Canada voted against the proposal as our analysis shows that American eel does not meet listing criteria laid out by the Convention, which requires a 70 per cent population decline to be listed. Canadian science shows American eel has been stable over the past two decades.
• Canada will continue to implement strong domestic management measures for the import and export of elvers in Canada.