An Act to amend the Fisheries Act and other Acts in consequence

This enactment amends the Fisheries Act to, among other things, (a) require that, when making a decision under that Act, the Minister shall consider any adverse effects that the decision may have on the rights of the Indigenous peoples of Canada recognized and affirmed by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, include provisions respecting the consideration and protection of traditional knowledge of the Indigenous peoples of Canada, and authorize the making of agreements with Indigenous governing bodies to further the purpose of the Fisheries Act; (b) add a purpose clause and considerations for decision-making under that Act; (c) empower the Minister to establish advisory panels and to set fees, including for the provision of regulatory processes; (d) provide measures for the protection of fish and fish habitat with respect to works, undertakings or activities that may result in the death of fish or the harmful alteration, disruption or destruction of fish habitat, including in ecologically significant areas, as well as measures relating to the modernization of the regulatory framework such as authorization of projects, establishment of standards and codes of practice, creation of fish habitat banks by a proponent of a project and establishment of a public registry; (e) empower the Governor in Council to make new regulations, including regulations respecting the rebuilding of fish stocks and importation of fish; (f) empower the Minister to make regulations for the purposes of the conservation and protection of marine biodiversity; (g) empower the Minister to make fisheries management orders prohibiting or limiting fishing for a period of 45 days to address a threat to the proper management and control of fisheries and the conservation and protection of fish; (h) prohibit the fishing of a cetacean with the intent to take it into captivity, unless authorized by the Minister, including when the cetacean is injured, in distress or in need of care; and (i) update and strengthen enforcement powers, as well as establish an alternative measures agreements regime. The enactment also makes consequential amendments to other Acts.