Closed
Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Quebec, Canada
Supports Indigenous fisheries management, participation, and community self-sufficiency
Grant and Funding
Overview
The Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy provides up to $35 million annually to support Aboriginal groups in managing fisheries for food, social, and ceremonial purposes. Eligible activities include negotiating fisheries agreements, participating in co-management, conducting stock assessments, enhancing fish habitats, and access to commercial fisheries for economic development.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increasing community impact
- Strengthening governance
- Develop strategic partnerships
Eligible Funding
- No Condition
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Location
- Quebec
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Environment
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Employment and Training
- Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
- Indigenous peoples
- Rural / Remote communities
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Regional
- Provincial
- National
Activities funded
- Management and regulation of fisheries for food, social, and ceremonial purposes by Aboriginal groups.
- Co-operative management projects with Fisheries and Oceans Canada focused on stock assessment, fish enhancement, and habitat management.
- Participation by Aboriginal groups in fisheries management to support conservation and resource improvement.
- Access to commercial fisheries and related economic development opportunities through the Allocation Transfer Program.
- Initiatives to improve fisheries monitoring, enforcement, and selective fishing practices.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 32,000
Co-management with DFO for restoring sturgeon spawning grounds
$ 33,500
Community fish hatchery for local walleye stock enhancement
$ 33,700
Enhanced selective fishing gear for whitefish resource sustainability
$ 34,000
Hiring technicians to monitor wild salmon spawning habitats
$ 33,000
Enforcement program for inland fisheries with new patrol equipment
$ 34,900
Economic access program for lake trout commercial fishing
Eligibility
- The applicant must be an Aboriginal group in Canada.
- The group must conduct fishing for food, social, and ceremonial purposes.
- The fishery must be managed by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), and not already under a land claims settlement with an existing fisheries management regime.
Who is eligible?
- Indigenous groups and communities involved in fishing for food, social, or ritual purposes.
- Indigenous organizations working in the management, processing, or monitoring of fishery resources.
- Indigenous communities wishing to participate in commercial fishing through specific programs.
Eligible expenses
- Salaries for seasonal jobs in commercial fishing, processing, monitoring, and fishery enhancement activities.
- Costs related to co-operative management projects for fisheries improvement, such as stock assessment, fish enhancement, and habitat management.
- Expenses for monitoring and enforcement associated with Aboriginal fishing activities.
Eligible geographic areas
- Pacific Region of Canada
- Atlantic Canada
- Quebec
How to apply
1
Confirm group eligibility and scope
- Identify the Aboriginal group eligible for the program
- Confirm the fishery is managed by DFO and no existing land claims settlement applies
2
Consult with Fisheries and Oceans Canada
- Engage in consultations with DFO regarding fishing rights
- Prepare documentation outlining the group's fishing needs for food, social, and ceremonial purposes
3
Negotiate a fisheries agreement
- Negotiate a mutually acceptable and time-limited fisheries agreement with DFO
- Discuss provisions such as allowable catch, species, fishing areas, gear, and reporting requirements
4
Review and approve agreement
- Review draft agreement for compliance with community needs and Sparrow decision requirements
- Obtain internal approvals if necessary before signing
5
Sign and submit agreement
- Sign the finalized fisheries agreement with DFO
- Submit signed agreement as required
6
Await licence issuance and implement
- Wait for DFO confirmation and issuance of the communal fishing licence reflecting the agreement
- Prepare for program implementation and reporting requirements
Additional information
- Approximately 125 agreements are reached each year under this strategy, mainly in the Pacific Region, with the remainder in Atlantic Canada and Quebec.
- Annual funding for the Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy is approximately $35 million.
- The Allocation Transfer Program (ATP) is a core component, allowing for the transfer of commercial fishing licences to Aboriginal groups.
- Since 1993, the program has generated around 1,300 seasonal jobs per year in areas such as monitoring and fishery enhancement.
