Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators : Status of major fish stocks

Figure 1. Status of major fish stocks, Canada, 2011 to 2014 Data for Figure 1 Note: Fish stocks are classified by comparing the size of stocks to reference points, which are established based on the productivity of the stock. [...] The precautionary approach2 is used to manage these fish stocks in such a way that the amount of allowed fish harvesting or approved removal rates are adjusted to keep stocks in the healthy zone, progressively lowered if the stock is in the cautious zone, and kept to the lowest possible level if the stock is in the critical zone. [...] The results of the stock assessments for major stocks are peer- 1 Stocks in the critical zone have a level of productivity that may result in serious harm to the resource. [...] Page 4 of 13 reviewed and published on-line.3 The status of the fish stocks is reported as part of the Fishery Checklist, which is a key planning and monitoring tool. [...] Page 6 of 13 Part 2. Data Sources and Methods for the Status of Major Fish Stocks Indicator Introduction The Status of Major Fish Stocks indicator is part of the Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators (CESI) program, which provides data and information to track Canada's performance on key environmental sustainability issues.