Fish habitat consists of all areas that provide shelter, spawning grounds, nursery, feeding and migration areas on which fish depend directly or indirectly in order to carry out their life processes. The Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence, the coastal waters of Northern Quebec, rivers and streams, lakes, marshes, wet prairies and floodplains all provide diverse habitats for fish and other aquatic wildlife (marine mammals, molluscs and crustaceans). These habitats must be protected to maintain fish populations and support sustainable fisheries.

To maintain healthy and productive fish habitats, Fisheries and Oceans Canada developed a habitat management program aimed at:

• Applying the habitat protection provisions of the Fisheries Act by analyzing development projects likely to affect fish habitat and issuing authorizations where appropriate
  • Working In or Near Water
  • Project Review
• Promoting the protection and conservation of fish habitat by establishing partnerships with various stakeholders and raising public awareness;
  • Partnership and Public Awareness
• Conducting the environmental assessment of development projects that affect fish habitat under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act before a regulatory decision is made.
  • Environmental Assessment

If you plan to carry out work in or near water, some requirements may apply under the Fisheries Act. Fisheries and Oceans Canada has developed a three-step process that will enable you to identify the possible impacts of your project on fish and fish habitat.