Oceana Canada is calling on the federal government to put rebuilding plans in place for critically-depleted wild fish stocks as well as those in the cautious zone.

Oceana Canada this week released its annual Fishery Audit showing nearly one in five wild fish stocks—or 17 per cent—are still critically depleted, while the number of healthy stocks has declined since 2017.

Director of Science with Oceana Canada, Dr. Robert Rangely, says in addition, despite scientific evidence showing the impact of climate change of fisheries, nearly three quarters—or 72 per cent—of DFO’s management documents do not formally consider the impact of climate.

Rangley is calling on Ottawa to address what he calls critical gaps in marine fisheries management by prioritizing a number of measures including amending the Fisheries Act to ensure management decisions are consistent with rebuilding regulations.

“That means it becomes the law to have rebuilding plans in place,” says Rangley, but action must also be taken on those plans.