Closed
Source verified March 4, 2026
Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy
Supports Indigenous fisheries management, participation, and community self-sufficiency
Funding available
Varies by project
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Quebec, Canada
Who can apply
Indigenous groups and communities involved in fishing for food, social, or ritual purposes.
See full eligibility
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.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Improve governance or administrative structure
- Develop strategic partnerships
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
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
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
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.
Official resources
Eligibility
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
- Step 1: Engage in Consultation with Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)
- Initiate contact with DFO to declare your group's interest in participating in the Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy (AFS).
- Participate in consultations to discuss community needs, fishing practices, and expectations regarding fishing for food, social, and ceremonial purposes.
- Step 2: Negotiate Fisheries Agreement
- Collaborate with DFO to negotiate a mutually acceptable, time-limited fisheries agreement.
- Discuss and settle on provisions such as amount of fish, area, gear, times, reporting requirements, and co-operative management arrangements.
- Step 3: Finalize and Approve Agreement
- Review and agree to final fisheries agreement terms.
- Ensure all parties approve the negotiated agreement and consent to outlined responsibilities and conditions.
- Step 4: Issuance of Communal Fishing Licence
- Upon agreement, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans issues a communal fishing licence to the Aboriginal group reflecting the terms of the agreement.
- If no agreement is reached, the Minister will issue a licence after reviewing the consultation process, ensuring it aligns with legal decisions and 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.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy Program
What is the Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy?
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.
Who is eligible for the Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy program?
To be eligible for the Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy program, you must:
Aboriginal groups participating in fisheries management
Operates in areas where DFO manages the fishery and no land claims fisheries regime is in place
What expenses are eligible under Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy?
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.
Who can I contact for more information about the Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy?
You can contact Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO).
Where is the Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy available?
The Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy program is available the province of Quebec.
Is the Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy?
Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy is funded by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)