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Section II: Analysis of Program Activities by Strategic Outcomes

In this Section

Safe and Accessible Waterways

This sub-section describes the performance of the strategic outcome and how safe and accessible waterways contribute to economic growth, a safe and secure Canada, and a knowledge-based and innovative economy. The section also describes in greater detail how the three program activities associated with this outcome performed.

Safe and Accessible Waterways Program Activities

Canadian Coast Guard	Small Craft Harbours	Science for Safe and Accessible Waterways

Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture

This sub-section describes the performance of the strategic outcome and how sustainable fisheries and aquaculture contributes to economic growth and a knowledge-based and innovative economy. The section also describes in greater detail how the three program activities associated with this outcome performed.

Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture Program Activities

Fisheries Management	Aquaculture	Science for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture

Healthy and Productive Aquatic Ecosystems

This sub-section describes the performance of the strategic outcome and how healthy and productive aquatic ecosystems contribute to a clean and healthy environment and a knowledge-based and innovative economy. The section also describes in greater detail how the three program activities associated with this outcome performed.

Healthy and Productive Aquatic Ecosystems Program Activities

Oceans Management	Habitat Management	Science for Healthy and Productive Aquatic Ecosystems

Program Activity Narratives

Each Program Activity narrative begins with the specific goal of the Program Activity and its expected results. The Resources to Results table shows program spending in comparison to plans and provides information on the indicators that are used to measure performance. Though DFO has been working to improve its performance measurement framework, the 2008-09 Report on Plans and Priorities did not contain targets for these indicators. Wherever possible, established targets are presented. Elsewhere, the performance information will serve as benchmarks for future planning and reporting exercises.

A brief discussion follows to highlight the key challenges that must be overcome in delivering these results to Canadians. A more in-depth discussion of Program Activity performance and major accomplishments follows.

The Moving Forward section introduces a discussion of what is still to be accomplished: the key plans involved and, where possible, the lessons learned that will improve future performance. This section ends with a graphic of the Program Sub-Activities associated with each Program Activity. An electronic link to further, more detailed information is also provided.

 

Resources and Results

From Resources...			To Results...
	$ milliona	FTEb		Targetc	Result	Status
Planned	918.8	5,893	Public's Confidenced	—	96%	Unable to assess against targets
Total Authorities	957.2	n/a
Actual	881.3	6,009e

^aFinancial figures include Program Enablers (Planned: $145.1 million; Total Authorities: $207.6 million; Actual: $188.7 million).

^bFTE figures include Program Enablers (Planned: 922; Actual: 881).

^cTargets were not set for 2008-09 or 2009-10. Targets have been established for 2010-11.

^dPublic's confidence of the safety and security of marine travel in Canada, as surveyed by Transport Canada, most recently in 2006 — Percentage of Canadians who rated transportation in Canada as either moderately or extremely safe and secure.

^eThe FTE variance of 116 can be attributed to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and International Polar Year projects, growth in Fleet Operational Readiness, and the use of casuals to support essential positions.

 

Safe and Accessible Waterways Program Activities

Canadian Coast Guard	Small Craft Harbours	Science for Safe and Accessible Waterways

Benefits to Canadians

DFO provides Canadians with access to Canadian waterways and ensures the overall safety and integrity of Canada's marine infrastructure. Strong economic growth in Canada is supported by trade dependent upon maritime commerce. The Canadian economy requires: secure, sustainable harbours; safe waters; aids to navigation; as well as reliable and modern hydrographic products and services. Since 1883, the Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS) has been producing nautical charts and navigational products that serve as 'road maps' to guide mariners safely from port to port. But maritime accidents do occur, necessitating strong Coast Guard capacities for search and rescue and for environmental response. Pressures for increased service and infrastructure, especially in the North, continue to challenge the Coast Guard, Small Craft Harbours, and the Canadian Hydrographic Service.

In 2008-09, the Canadian Coast Guard maintained one of the best records in the world for search and rescue (96%)¹. Coast Guard programs such as Icebreaking, Aids to Navigation, Waterways Management, and Marine Communication and Traffic Services facilitated maritime commerce. The Environmental Response program ensured that there was a coordinated and capable response to both ship-source and mystery-source spills in Canadian waters throughout the year. Coast Guard also provided significant support to other parts of DFO for science and enforcement activities and to other government departments on various activities, increasingly on maritime security.

Coast Guard programs and services provide the maritime presence that supports a safe and secure Canada; Northern prosperity, sovereignty and development, in particular, are fostered by secure access to our northern waters provided by Coast Guard icebreakers. Northern communities benefit from supplies delivered by Coast Guard vessels. In 2008-09, the re-supply of northern communities involved the delivery of 1,406 metric tonnes of dry cargo to Eureka, Nunavut, and 666 metric tonnes of bulk diesel fuel to Kugaaruk, Nunavut. Coast Guard also participated in Operation NANOOK, a major Arctic operation led by the Canadian Forces to exercise Arctic sovereignty and strengthen inter-operability of organizations in the service of humanitarian and environmental emergencies in northern Canadian communities.

Our small craft harbours support the effective operation of the commercial fishing industry that contributes nearly $6 billion annually to the Canadian economy. The industry is an important economic driver in over 1,700 coastal communities, involving about 80,000 direct jobs and thousands more in related industries. Many of these jobs are located in rural and isolated parts of Canada. Fish harvesters and other users have access to a network of over 1,100 safe harbours. Over 5,000 Harbour Authority volunteers contribute approximately 135,000 hours to the management and operation of our small craft harbours. The Small Craft Harbours Program worked with Harbour Authorities from coast to coast to ensure that these harbours are open, safe, and in good repair.

The extent of nautical charts needed for Canadian waters is the largest in the world and actually continues to grow as changing climatic conditions expose new navigable waterways. Keeping existing hydrographic charts up-to-date while creating new ones is an ongoing challenge. The advent of electronic charts and other technological advances in hydrography continue to change how the Canadian Hydrographic Service makes hydrographic information available to Canadians. CHS provided the information needed to navigate Canada's waters-including: hydrographic products and services, tidal and water level information, and warning for natural disasters. With the exception of the Arctic Region, our navigational products and services continue to meet or exceed international standards set by the International Maritime Organization and the International Hydrodraphic Organization.

In support of Canada's Northern Strategy, the Canadian Hydrographic Service undertook surveys in priority areas that link Arctic communities to the main shipping channels and continued to collect bathymetric data in support of Canada's submission on the outer limits of the continental shelf in the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

¹ Success is measured by the number of lives saved to the number of lives at risk.

Red line: Exclusive Economic Zone
White line: possible extended shelf outside 200 nautical miles

 

Providing Canadians with this...	To achieve these results...
Civilian marine services — vessels, aircraft, expertise, personnel, and infrastructure — to support Government of Canada maritime priorities, economic prosperity and contribute to the safety, accessibility and security of Canadian waters.	Safe, economical and efficient movement of maritime traffic in Canadian waters. Minimized loss of life or injury resulting from marine incidents. Minimized impacts of ship source oil spills in Canadian waters. A civilian fleet operationally ready to deliver Government of Canada programs and maintain a federal presence.

Resources and Results

From Resources...			To Results...
	$ milliona	FTEb		Targetc	Result	Status
Planned	763.2	5,346	Marine Accidents versus Vessel Clearancesd	None stated	1.9% (418/22,000)	Unable to assess against targets
Total Authorities	783.0	n/a	Search and Rescuee		96%	Unable to assess against targets
Actual	709.6	5,460	Environmental Responsef		100%	Unable to assess against targets
			Fleet Operational Readinessg		more than 31,000 operational days	Unable to assess against targets

^aFinancial figures include Program Enablers (Planned: $119.1 million; Total Authorities: $169.0 million; Actual: $153.5 million).

^bFTE figures include Program Enablers (Planned: 771; Actual: 738).

^cTargets were not set for 2008-09. Due, in part, to the unforeseen elimination of data sources, CCG has not reported against the exact indicators presented in the 2008-09 RPP. As an interim measure, CCG has provided sub-activity performance information relevant to the expected results to demonstrate its overall performance. CCG is currently working to strengthen its Performance Measurement Framework, including consultations with clients and stakeholders.

^dPercentage of (marine) traffic accidents (includes those onboard vessels) vs. vessel clearances.

^ePercentage of lives saved versus lives at risk.

^fPercentage of spills addressed.

^gNumber of operational days delivered to clients. Information provided is used as a proxy. Government of Canada client survey results, measuring the extent to which CCG is meeting Government of Canada requirement for an operationally ready fleet, are not available. Survey results will be available to report in 2009-10.

The Challenge

An aging fleet, workforce and shore-based infrastructure are challenges that Coast Guard has begun to address to ensure that it can continue to maintain and adapt its services where required. While recent federal budgets have provided the funding for up to 17 new large ships, it will take a number of years for many of the vessels to be delivered. The existing fleet, therefore, must be kept operationally ready. Also, like many other organizations, Coast Guard faces an increasingly competitive labour market for recruitment and retention of skilled employees. As over 25% of Coast Guard's employees will be eligible to retire over the next five years, recruitment is an important priority for the Coast Guard. Rapid technological advancement and modernization in the marine industry require Coast Guard to modernize its shore-based infrastructure and Canada's aids to navigation system while at the same time, having to maintain older technologies due to some user requirements.

Our Performance

In 2008-09, Coast Guard continued its focus on improving client service, effectiveness and efficiency, and management of its people through a set of initiatives outlined in its 2008-2011 Business Plan. Solid progress was made on most of the commitments planned for 2008-09. More details are available in the 2008-2011 Business Plan and 2008-09 Year End Report, both of which are available on the CCG website.

From an operational perspective, Coast Guard continued to facilitate safe, economical and efficient movement of vessel traffic in Canadian waters. Marine Communication and Traffic Services operated 24/7 as CCG's communications backbone. The services provided by Coast Guard's Aids to Navigation program ensured access to a reliable navigation system and regular safety information. Waterways Management ensured water level and bottom condition information availability. Icebreaking services proved to be a challenge as ice conditions were more severe than normal in the Great Lakes, the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the St. Lawrence River, while in Newfoundland and Labrador, the ice-breaking season started late and was longer than usual, closing on June 28. These conditions led to some shipping delays in the St. Lawrence River and the Saguenay River.

Despite the best safety precautions and continuous vigilance, some on-water incidents did occur, but in 2008-09, Coast Guard provided a 96% search and rescue success rate of lives saved versus lives at risk and a 100% response rate to environmental incidents.

As the operator of the Government of Canada's civilian fleet, Coast Guard supported DFO's Science and Fisheries Enforcement programs and provided on-water and marine support to other federal government departments and agencies. Though progress on fleet renewal was slower than desired, with delays in the competitive bidding process for the mid-shore patrol vessels and offshore fisheries science vessels, preparatory work is well under way to accelerate certain vessel procurements and repairs. These investments will enhance fleet renewal and vessel maintenance initiatives and overall capacity, particularly in search and rescue and in environmental response.

CCG performance includes: 99% (three year average) reliability of short and long-range aids to navigation. Issued over 22,000 vessel clearances. Monitored water bottom conditions of 730 kilometres of Canada's main shipping channels. Assisted over 14,000 people requiring help on the water. Escorted 629 ships in southern Canada and 25 ships in the Arctic for a total of 6,833 hours of assistance. CCG fleet delivered over 31,000 operational days of service to its clients — only 2% of all available ship days were lost due to unplanned circumstances. CCG College graduated 27 Marine Communication and Traffic Service Officers. There were no graduates from the Ship's Officer training program due to lack of intake in 2005 but enrolment has been increasing and is currently at 106 students.

Moving Forward

Over the next several years, there will be significant progress in fleet renewal. The Government, in recent budgets, has earmarked $1.4 billion to acquire up to 17 new large vessels. Up to twelve of these will replace existing vessels that will be taken out of service and up to five will be additions to the existing fleet. In January 2009, Coast Guard received $175 million as part of the government's Economic Action Plan, for the acquisition of much-needed small craft, conducting vessel life extensions, and carrying out repairs on its larger vessels.

Coast Guard will develop an Environmental Management Framework that will examine ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and undertake other greening of government initiatives. Ongoing modernization initiatives, both at sea and on shore, will place a greater emphasis on technology and innovation.

Canadian Coast Guard Sub-Activities

Aids to Navigation	Waterways Management	Marine Communication and Traffic Services	Icebreaking Services
Search and Rescue Services	Environmental Response Services	Maritime Security	Fleet Operational Readiness
	Life-cycle Asset Management Services	Coast Guard College

 

Providing Canadians with this...	To achieve these results...
A network of harbours critical to the commercial fishing industry.	Commercial fishing industry has access to a network of harbours that is open, safe, and in good repair; Harbour Authorities are able to effectively manage and maintain core commercial fishing harbours; and Recreational and non-essential fishing harbours are divested.

Resources and Results

From Resources...			To Results...
	$ milliona	FTEb		Target	Result	Status
Planned	108.7	201	Harbour Performancec	25%	22%	Mostly met (80%-99%)
Total Authorities	122.1	n/a	Facility Conditiond	80%	82%	Exceeded
Actual	119.8	203	Environmental Planse	95%	95%	Met (100%)
			Harbour Authoritiesf	100%	91%	Mostly met (80%-99%)
			Divestituresg	75-95 over 4 years	7 of 364 (2%)	Somewhat met (60%-79%)

^aFinancial figures include Program Enablers (Planned: $15.2 million; Total Authorities: $22.7 million; Actual: $20.7 million).

^bFTE figures include Program Enablers (Planned: 79; Actual: 75).

^cPercentage of core fishing harbours with performance ratings of good or very good.

^dCondition of facilities at core fishing harbours (fair, good, or very good condition).

^ePercentage of core fishing harbours that have Environmental Management Plans in place.

^fPercentage of existing core fishing harbours managed by Harbour Authorities.

^gNumber of recreational and low activity fishing harbours divested per year versus total number of harbours to be divested.

Small Craft Harbours throughout Canada

The Challenge

Small craft harbours make an important contribution to the commercial fisheries sector by ensuring the availability of vital infrastructure required for the sector to contribute to the Canadian economy. Our harbours directly support local employment and indirectly create tens of thousands of jobs — many in rural and isolated parts of Canada. Keeping up with the changing needs of those using the harbours, including the increased participation of First Nations commercial fish harvesters, expanding aquaculture operations, changing fisheries, accommodating larger fishing vessels and increased harbour congestion, is an important component of the program's work. Chronic rust-out at many harbours means that 18 percent of SCH infrastructure is now in poor to unsafe condition with restricted user access at some harbours. SCH continues to explore measures to ensure the long term sustainability of the harbour network, implement proper life cycle management, support Harbour Authorities, and complete the divestiture of recreational and non-core fishing harbours.

Harbour Authorities (HAs), volunteer organizations composed of user and local representatives, are an efficient way of offering services, strengthening public investment, and providing opportunities for communities to participate fully in the planning, operation, and maintenance of harbour facilities.

Our Performance

The Small Craft Harbours Program continued to provide a national network of commercial fishing harbours to meet the needs of the fishing and aquaculture industries. As of March 31, 2009, SCH owned 1,163 harbours in all provinces and the Northwest Territories. Of these, 765 are core commercial fishing harbours. The remaining 398 harbours include 177 recreational harbours and 221 non-essential fishing harbours. The total value of these harbours is $1.6 billion. Small craft harbours support the activities of commercial fish harvesters and other marine users.

The Program received additional funding through Budget 2008 to accelerate divestitures of recreational and non-essential fishing harbours. The number of divestitures was lower in 2008-09 than in previous years, but the new funding will allow the Program to increase the pace in future years. As harbours are divested, the Program is able to re-allocate any funding associated with their maintenance to the remaining harbours. Over time, this additional funding will help to reduce the deterioration experienced at core harbours.

SCH's 2008-09 accomplishments include... 22% of core fishing harbours have a performance rating of good or very good. The percentage increases to 71% if those harbours rated as fair are included. This percentage has been relatively stable over the past three years. 82.6% of the facilities at core commercial fishing harbours are in fair, good, or very good condition. This percentage has stayed relatively stable over the past three years. 95% of core fishing harbours have environmental management plans in place. This percentage has not changed over the past three years. 91% of core commercial fishing harbours are managed by HAs. That is, 571 HAs manage 695 core harbours. This represents a very small decrease from the previous year. SCH divested 7 out of 364 recreational and low-activity harbours. This represents a divestiture rate of 2%, which is significantly lower than the 5.9% divestiture average over the previous four years. This result reflects the increasingly complex divestitures that remain on SCH books.

With the focus on core harbours, those harbours considered non-core (fishing and recreational) receive funding only for repairs required to ensure user safety until the harbour can be divested to new owners. In 2008-09, SCH received the first of four years of new funding for divestitures announced in Budget 2008. SCH spent approximately $3.5 million in 2008-09 on advancing work on many of the planned divestitures, and was successful in transferring title to seven harbours.

The importance of the HAs to the delivery of the SCH Program cannot be understated. For example, last year, HAs collected approximately $23.4 million in revenues that were then reinvested in harbour operations and maintenance. To assist HAs, the Program has been looking at amalgamation. The amalgamation of six HAs in Nova Scotia is expected to have benefits for the six harbours, including the need for fewer volunteers, better ability to hire staff, and the ability to secure better pricing on materials and labour.

To support the fishing industry in the north, SCH undertook preliminary design work to build a new fishing harbour at Pangnirtung, Nunavut. SCH expects to start construction of this project in the fall of 2009.

Moving Forward

Key priorities for the SCH Program as it moves ahead over the next few years will be the implementation of the Government's two year Accelerated Infrastructure Program (AIP) for which the Program received $200 million from the Budget 2009 Economic Action Plan for maintenance, repair and dredging at core commercial fishing harbours. The Program will also receive $17 million to implement the Pangnirtung, Nunavut, Harbour Project funded through Budgets 2008 and 2009. The influx of resources for the AIP is expected to maintain and improve the overall condition and performance of the core commercial harbours. Budget 2009 investments will allow SCH to maintain the performance and condition of SCH core fishing harbours.

The impact of the economic stimulus funding directed at Canada's core commercial fishing harbours will have a national reach and will involve over 250 individual harbour projects at over 200 different locations throughout Canada. The new funding will help SCH to ensure that the commercial fishing industry has access over the long term to safe and functional harbours while creating jobs in the immediate future.

SCH will also move forward with the divestiture of recreational and non-core fishing harbours using funding received in Budget 2008. This funding is expected to allow for the divestiture of 75-95 of the more complex and expensive divestitures and which would permit SCH to focus its efforts on core fishing harbours.

In addition, SCH will undergo organizational restructuring to increase program effectiveness and to enhance its capacity to provide much needed support to HAs. Over the next two years, SCH will develop options for the long-term sustainability of its core harbours and the HAs that manage them. The $200 million from Budget 2009 is expected to impact favourably on the health of HAs by reducing concerns related to their more serious harbour maintenance and repair needs.

Providing Canadians with this...	To achieve these results...
Scientific research, monitoring, advice, products and services, and data management to inform departmental and federal policies, programs, decisions, and regulations.	Accessible hydrographic products and information. Accessible tidal and water level information for Canada's waterways. Advance notice of hazardous tsunami/storm surge events.

Resources and Results

From Resources...			To Results...
	$ milliona	FTEb		Target	Result	Status
Planned	46.9	345	Levels of Servicec	1 for each of 21 levels of service	67%	Somewhat met (60%-79%)
Total Authorities	52.1	n/a	UNCLOSd	100% of planned work by 2013	89% (Atlantic Ocean) 44% (Arctic Ocean)	Mostly met (80%-99%)
Actual	52.0	346	Productse	Maintain or increase	204,900	Mostly met (80%-99%)

^aFinancial figures include Program Enablers (Planned: $10.9 million; Total Authorities: $15.8 million; Actual: $14.4 million).

^bFTE figures include Program Enablers (Planned: 72; Actual: 69).

^cProportion of service level targets met.

^dAmount of work completed versus planned in the preparation of Canada's claim to the continental shelf beyond 200nm (UNCLOS).

^eNumber of hydrographic charts, publications, and information brochures distributed annually. Maintain current unit sales levels or achieve a modest net increase in products sold.

The Challenge

The Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS) has been collecting hydrographic information and providing Canadians with navigational products and services based on this information for over one hundred years. The challenge is to enhance and maintain this extensive portfolio of navigational products and service in a manner that ensures it meets international standards, is up-to-date, accurate, and reflects the needs of today's commercial and recreational boaters. Emerging technologies in the field of navigation, such as near-real-time dynamic navigation systems, present a particular challenge. The adoption of these new technologies by mariners means that hydrographic information and services must be provided in a format that can interface with these technologies and meet the ever increasing precision required by the marine transportation community. Although the primary application for hydrographic information is to support safe navigation, it is also used for a multitude of other purposes, such as national security, territorial delineation, and the resolution of maritime boundary disputes. In addition, bathymetric data, tide, current, and water level information also supports negotiation of boundary disputes with other countries and is used for emergency preparedness (storm surge and tsunami warnings) and overall scientific research in the marine community.

Our Performance

To manage the extensive hydrographic portfolio of navigational products and services, CHS applied a risk based approach to deliver its products and services in accordance with established and publicly communicated levels of service. In keeping with its strong commitment to service, each year CHS undertakes a review of the results against the service level commitments and evaluates the need to establish additional levels of service to include a wider range of products and services.

In 2008-09, CHS met 67 percent of the overall service level targets. This represents a decline from previous years, where, for a number of the service levels, CHS results fell just below the established targets. The implementation of technology infrastructure upgrades in response to the changing needs of mariners and the scientific community for enhanced hydrographic services, created a challenge to CHS' service delivery. On the other hand, CHS' investment in the technology infrastructure upgrades should, in the long run, create a more efficient and productive work flow that will assist in closing the gap on service level targets.

Data collection continued in the Arctic to provide scientific information on the outer limits of our continental shelf for submission to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf. Canada ratified the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in 2003 and thus is required to submit scientific information in support of establishing the outer limits to the continental shelf beyond the current 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone by 2013. Canada's continental shelf represents an area about 40% the size of its landmass. CHS is responsible for undertaking bathymetric surveys in the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans as part of Canada's submission. The Department's efforts are on target for meeting the 2013 evidence submission deadline. A successful joint Canada-US seismic and bathymetric survey in the Western Arctic yielded 2,800 kilometres of seismic data and 5,000 kilometres of bathymetric data. A through-the-ice seismic and bathymetric survey was conducted to determine if the Alpha Ridge is a continuum of the continental shelf.

In 2008-09, 204,900 official marine paper navigational charts, publications, and information brochures were distributed. In comparison with 2007-08, this represents an 11% decline. This decline is largely attributable to the increased use of digital products and the availability of private-sector non-official navigational products.

Examples of the Canadian Hydrographic Service Levels of Service (LOS): Charts in the high risk category are reviewed a minimum once every five years and new editions issued when necessary. Notices to Mariners updates are issued within four months of CHS receiving source information. The National Tides, Currents, and Water Levels web site is accessible 95% of the time. Charts and Publications are always available.

Moving Forward

CHS will continue to focus its survey and charting activities in the highest risk areas, including providing hydrographic support for the design of the harbour facility in Pangnirtung, Nunavut, as well as updates to nautical products once the harbour is established.

To obtain a better definition of Canada's continental margin, CHS will continue ship-based and ice-based surveys in the Eastern Arctic. In the Western Arctic, the joint Canada-US seismic and bathymetric survey will continue in 2009-10. Potential work in the Atlantic Ocean is under analysis.

The application of new technology to reduce the impact of weather and ice conditions on hydrographic data collection in the Arctic is being explored. In cooperation with Defence Research and Development Canada and the National Research Council, DFO will be operating Autonomous Underwater Vehicles as data collection platforms in the high Arctic.

Science for Safe and Accessible Waterways Sub-Activities

Navigational Products and Services	Safety, Security and Sovereignty

Resources and Results

From Resources...			To Results...
	$ milliona	FTEb		Targetd	Result	Status
Planned	606.8	3,260	High Sustainabilitye	None stated	16.5%	Unable to assess against targets
Total Authorities	668.2	n/a	Medium Sustainabilityf		67%	Unable to assess against targets
Actual	634.8	3,167c	Low Sustainabilityg		16.5%	Unable to assess against targets

^aFinancial figures include Program Enablers (Planned: $128.7 million; Total Authorities: $180.7 million; Actual: $164.1 million).

^bFTE figures include Program Enablers (Planned: 709; Actual: 678).

^cThe FTE variance of 93 can be attributed to the reallocation of FTE's between Science sub-activities, turnover and delays in staffing, and rounding errors.

^dTargets were not set for 2008-09. The results achieved will serve as baseline data to quantify future performance expectations.

^eNumber and percentage of major commercially harvested stocks scoring high on score of "sustainable fisheries" based upon checklist¹.

^fNumber and percentage of major commercially harvested stocks scoring medium on score of "sustainable fisheries" based upon checklist.

^gNumber and percentage of major commercially harvested stocks scoring low on score of "sustainable fisheries" based upon checklist.

¹In 2008, data was collected for 109 major stocks in Canada through a survey of fishery managers and biologists and was captured by a fisheries checklist. The checklist rolls up over 100 questions on all fisheries management measures.

Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture Program Activities

Fisheries Management	Aquaculture	Science for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture

Benefits to Canadians

DFO provides an integrated fisheries and aquaculture program that is credible, science-based, affordable, and effective, and contributes to sustainable wealth for Canadians. To provide Canadians with economic benefits from our aquatic natural resources, DFO must understand and manage the complex ecosystems to support these resources, work with other nations to protect and conserve these resources, and ensure that Canadian products have access to world markets. The viability of many of Canada's coastal communities is directly linked to the health of the fisheries.

DFO is responsible for developing and implementing policies and programs to ensure the sustainable use of Canada's marine ecosystems. DFO has been pursuing a fisheries renewal agenda that recognizes that Canada's fisheries can be sustainable over the short and long term only if the resource is conserved and used sustainably and the fishing industry is viable. This new approach provides a renewed focus for working with harvesters, processors, communities, provinces and territories in fisheries planning and the management of harvest operations.

Many of our fisheries are international in scope and dependant on ecosystems and habitats beyond our territorial waters. Canada must demonstrate leadership in international fisheries reform and oceans governance mechanisms. Moreover, there is a growing desire on the part of the provinces and territories for engagement in DFO decision-making and collaborative action in areas of shared interest. Recent Federal Court decisions have also affected science and fisheries management activities, adding pressure to the need for fisheries renewal.

Though targets were not defined for this year, the Fishery Checklist results show that more than half of the stocks scored in the medium range. This provides strong evidence that many Canadian fisheries already have appropriate measures to achieve sustainability.

Aquaculture in Canada relies on the cooperation of many — DFO, other federal departments, provincial and territorial governments, industry, the private sector, non-government organizations, and other stakeholders — making transformation and innovation complex and time-consuming. Consumer confidence in aquaculture products, the protection of natural species, and international barriers also challenge the growth of aquaculture in Canada.

As a first step, DFO developed and posted a discussion document, Strengthening Sustainable Aquaculture Development in Canada, to engage stakeholders in the aquaculture sector in a dialogue to resolve the constraints facing the industry and its sub-sectors.

The management of our fisheries, promotion of aquaculture, strong and respected participation in international fora, and effective collaboration with our many partners are all founded on a sound scientific knowledge of the fisheries.

Providing Canadians with this...	To achieve these results...
The conservation of Canada's fisheries resources to ensure sustainable resource utilization through close collaboration with resource users and stakeholders based on shared stewardship.	Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture

Resources and Results

From Resources...			To Results...
	$ milliona	FTEb		Targetc	Result	Status
Planned	386.8	1,923	High Sustainabilityd	None stated	36 (81.8%)	Unable to assess against targets
Total Authorities	413.3	n/a	Medium Sustainabilitye		5 (11.4%)	Unable to assess against targets
Actual	397.7	1,920	Low Sustainabilityf		3 (6.8%)	Unable to assess against targets

^aFinancial figures include Program Enablers (Planned: $63.6 million; Total Authorities: $95.7 million; Actual: $87.4 million).

^bFTE figures include Program Enablers (Planned: 447; Actual: 427).

^cTargets were not set for 2008-09. The results achieved will serve as baseline data to quantify future performance expectations.

^dNumber and percentage of major stocks where overall score of "resource sustainability" is high.

^eNumber and percentage of major stocks where overall score of "resource sustainability" is medium.

^fNumber and percentage of major stocks where overall score of "resource sustainability" is low.

The Challenge

A viable fishery sector needs to be supported by a modern fisheries governance regime that is accountable, predictable and transparent to the people it governs. The Fisheries Management Program is responsible for international fisheries conservation negotiations and relations, shared management of interception fisheries in international waters, and management of the Aboriginal, commercial, and recreational fishing in the coastal waters of Canada's three oceans.

Although substantial advances have been made in the North Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO), the high seas fisheries continue to sustain pressure from many sources — legal, or institutional, overfishing, Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing activities, and from environmental degradation. Many fish stocks continue to decline, threatening economic opportunities for Canadian industry and other countries. These activities may also produce cascading risks to the sustainability of fisheries and marine ecosystems within Canada's Exclusive Economic Zone.

Canada's fisheries have played an important role historically, economically, and culturally in Canada's development and growth as a nation. Today, however, these fisheries face a number of challenges, including the collapse of key stocks, market changes, and environmental challenges such as pollution and climate change.

Developing national and international strategies and measures to conserve and protect our fisheries resources requires sound scientific advice. Scientific knowledge to support conservation, the application of innovative technologies such as biotechnology, consumer acceptance, market access, and environmental responsibility in a strong aquaculture industry is also needed.

Our Performance

The sustainability results were taken from the 2008 fisheries checklist. They are based on the combined results of two checklist questions — one on stock status and the other on whether the harvest level is above or below a maximum level (an indication of whether overfishing is occurring or not). These responses, when combined, are an indicator of sustainable management of the stock. While the result reveals a strong performance, the responses are based on only 44 of 109 stocks surveyed, for which both questions were answered. Since results are based on less than half of the stocks surveyed, the large proportion of high scores should not be seen as representative of all the major stocks in Canada. As mentioned above, the scores do not represent a standard for sustainability. Distinctions between low, medium, and high are arbitrary.

To increase opportunities for First Nations in the fisheries and to enhance their capacity and participation in co-management arrangements, DFO uses a number of Transfer Payment Programs. Many of these programs have recently been evaluated for efficiency and effectiveness.

Moving Forward

The sustainability results are based on less than half of surveyed stocks with the associated checklist questions completed. As the Department's new conservation and sustainable use policies and tools are implemented, it is expected that checklist respondents will be able to complete more questions and DFO will have an increasing capacity to support sustainable outcomes. Fisheries Renewal remains a priority for the Department in 2009-10.

The checklist identified the need to implement precautionary approach frameworks and the Policy on Managing the Impacts of Fishing on Benthic Habitat, Communities and Species.

In 2009-10, a new indicator to measure the sustainability of stocks in relation to efforts to implement sustainable management measures will be implemented. It will be a stronger measure of the impacts of efforts to ensure sustainability and the results of those efforts.

Fisheries Management Sub-Activities

Resource Management	Aboriginal Policy and Governance	Salmon Enhancement Program
International Fisheries Conservation		Conservation and Protection

Providing Canadians with this...	To achieve these results...
Conditions needed to support a vibrant and innovative aquaculture industry that is environmentally and socially responsible, economically viable and internationally competitive.	Public confidence in governance of aquaculture and in its sustainable development and environmental stewardship. Growing, competitive, market-focused industry with good sustainable environmental and social performance. Frameworks, programs, policies, strategic information, and advice on aquaculture.

Resources and Results

From Resources...			To Results...
	$ milliona	FTEb		Target	Result	Status
Planned	5.0	43	Confidencec	75%	73%	Mostly met (80%-99%)
Total Authorities	13.2	n/a	Production Increased	3%	Not yet availablee	Unable to assess against targets
Actual	11.4	44

^aFinancial figures include Program Enablers (Planned: $1.0 million; Total Authorities: $1.6 million; Actual: $1.4 million).

^bFTE figures include Program Enablers (Planned: 8; Actual: 7).

^cLevel of stakeholder and Canadian confidence in aquaculture governance and sustainable development gauged through ongoing consultations.

^dIncrease in Canadian aquaculture production volume.

^e2008 production information will be available in November 2009. The latest data available is for 2007: total production of 170,172 tonnes, total value of $846,171,000. The figures represent a decrease of just over 7% from 2006, but approximately 25% of total Canadian fish and seafood production value.

The Challenge

Aquaculture development in Canada seeks to maximize the sustainable production of aquatic organisms while protecting natural aquatic ecosystems in Canada's oceans and inland waters. Commercial aquaculture industries exist in all provinces and in the Yukon Territory and account for one third of the value of Canada's fisheries production.

Aquaculture is the fastest growing food sector in the world and currently accounts for 50% of all seafood and fish products consumed by humans. Though currently valued at $846 million and employing approximately 14,000 people year round (including direct, indirect, and induced employment), the Canadian aquaculture industry represents less than 1% of world production.

Though Canada has inherent advantages in biophysical geography, as well as experience and expertise in the fish and seafood industry, the Canadian aquaculture industry has grown much more slowly than its international competitors. Constraints include:

• A complex, multi-jurisdictional governance and regulatory regime which is eroding investor confidence and limiting access to capital;
• Emerging market demands and expectations for Canadian product certification and traceability investment;
• Insufficient investment in innovation to support sector productivity, competitiveness, expansion, and advances in greener technology; and
• The need for biosecure infrastructure to meet emerging international trade requirements and minimize fish health disease risks.

Our Performance

Budget 2008 announced $70 million in funding for DFO over five years to address the constraints experienced within the Canadian aquaculture sector. As a first step, DFO developed and posted a discussion document, Strengthening Sustainable Aquaculture Development in Canada, to engage stakeholders in the aquaculture sector in a dialogue to resolve the constraints facing the industry and its sub-sectors.

DFO, through extensive consultations, has laid a solid foundation for achieving and measuring performance in three targeted areas:

• Market and public confidence;
• Regulation and environmental performance; and
• A growing, competitive, market-focused industry.

To monitor success in this initiative, indicators that provide greater certainty in data collection, are more timely, and that better measure the results of departmental actions have been established for 2009-10.

Aquaculture Production and Value

Examples of Aquaculture Governance initiatives include: In partnership with the New Brunswick government and the New Brunswick Salmon Growers Association, DFO has implemented a Code of Containment for breaches of containment on salmon farms. A checklist to report to Canadians on aquaculture sustainability was introduced as a pilot project.

Moving Forward

In 2009-10, DFO will continue consultations on strengthening sustainable aquaculture development to develop national and sectoral plans that will set forth objectives to be achieved over the next five years. These plans will identify what needs to be done to achieve these objectives and clarify federal, provincial, territorial, and industry roles and responsibilities. A comprehensive performance monitoring system will support these plans. Consistent effort will be required to implement appropriate aquaculture governance mechanisms.

Providing Canadians with this...	To achieve this result...
Advice and recommendations on fisheries and aquaculture based on scientific research and monitoring, and the management of data on Canada's oceans and resources.	Comprehensive understanding of aquatic resources.

Resources and Results

From Resources...			To Results...
	$ milliona	FTEb		Target	Result	Status
Planned	215.0	1,294	Number of Publicationsd	Maintain current level	175	Exceeded
Total Authorities	241.7	n/a	Marine Biology and Hydrobiology Publicationse	Maintain or exceed current level	22%	Met (100%)
Actual	225.6	1,203c	Oceanography and Limnology Publicationsf	Maintain or exceed current level	27%	Met (100%)

^aFinancial figures include Program Enablers (Planned: $64.1 million; Total Authorities: $83.4 million; Actual: $75.3 million).

^bFTE figures include Program Enablers (Planned: 254; Actual: 243).

^cThe FTE variance of 91 can be attributed to the reallocation of FTE's between Science sub-activities, turnover and delays in staffing, and rounding errors.

^dNumber of Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat publications on aquatic resources.

^ePercentage of Canadian publications in marine biology and hydrobiology attributed to DFO.

^fPercentage of Canadian publications in oceanography and limnology attributed to DFO.

The Challenge

Fisheries and Oceans Canada has one of the most comprehensive Science programs in the federal government. Since the establishment of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada in the 1930's, the scope of the Science Program has expanded to reflect not only the longstanding aspects of our work, such as fisheries science, but also the diversity of demand for science advice associated with newer science-based issues, such as the outbreak of serious infectious disease and products of fish biotechnology. Science has also played an important role in supporting the evolution of sustainable aquaculture-improving nutrition, health, and production and increasing the understanding of interactions between aquaculture and the environment. The adoption of new technology such as genomics and biotechnology has continued to improve DFO's ability to protect endangered species, manage fisheries, and improve aquaculture practices.

The greatest challenge faced by the Science Program in providing science in support of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, is the increase in complexity and demand for scientific advice on these and other science-based issues to inform decision and policy-making.

Our Performance

In response to the increased demand for scientific advice, the Science Program remained committed to the ongoing implementation of the ecosystem science-based approach and the use of a risk-based approach to prioritizing the provision of science advice. The ecosystem approach enables the transformation from a single-species approach to a broader ecosystem-based approach, and the production of multi-functional science advice and products that serve the needs of more than one client. In 2008, Science also developed a risk-based tool for prioritization of requests for peer-reviewed advice. This was necessary as the number of annual requests for peer-reviewed advice received by the Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS) typically exceeded the existing capacity to deliver. The results of the risk-based framework were used to guide decision making in arriving at what requests would be included in the 2009-10 CSAS advisory schedule.

In response to direct requests for peer-reviewed science advice in support of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, in 2008-09, the Science Program produced 175 publications, including science advisory reports, research documents, proceedings, and science responses. The number of advisory publications produced annually has increased steadily over the last three years, largely as a result of an increased demand for advice on species at risk and other emerging science-based issues.

In the national context, DFO was responsible for 22 percent of all Canadian publications in marine biology and hydrobiology, and 27 percent of the publications in oceanography and limnology (Source: Observatoire des sciences et des technologies). The percentage of publications in these two sub-disciplines has been stable in the last two years; however, there is an overall trend towards a decrease in the percentage of publications as compared with previous years.

Science Renewal has... Improved the ongoing alignment of the Science Program with the needs of DFO, the Government of Canada and Canadians. Progressed in its implementation of an ecosystem science-based approach. Completed an International Science Strategy, Five-Year Research Plan, and Science Outreach Strategy which are key elements of the Science Program's renewal agenda.

Moving Forward

By fully realizing the ecosystem approach, the Science Program will deliver more comprehensive information that reflects the diverse demand for knowledge by decision and policy-makers in support of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture. Science Renewal initiatives will provide the Department with the research capacity and the scientific understanding of aquatic ecosystems that it needs to respond to existing and new challenges.

Science for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture Sub-Activities

Fisheries Resources	Species at Risk	Aquatic Invasive Species	Aquatic Animal Health
Sustainable Aquaculture Science	Genomics and Biotechnology	Science Renewal

Resources and Results

From Resources...			To Results...
	$ milliona	FTEb		Target	Result	Status
Planned	212.8	1,352	Coveragec	100% by 2035	31%	Mostly met (80%-99%)
Total Authorities	234.9	n/a	Governanced	100%	80%	Mostly met (80%-99%)
Actual	231.4	1,331	Stakeholder Engagemente	100%	60%	Somewhat met (60%-79%)

^aFinancial figures include Program Enablers (Planned: $68.0 million; Total Authorities: $94.5 million; Actual: $85.5 million).

^bFTE figures include Program Enablers (Planned: 249; Actual: 238).

^cEstimated percentage of Canadian ocean area with integrated management structures.

^dPercentage of Large Ocean Management Areas with inter-jurisdictional Regional Implementation Committees or equivalents.

^ePercentage of Large Ocean Management Areas with Stakeholder Advisory Committees or equivalent.

Healthy and Productive Aquatic Ecosystems Program Activities

Oceans Management	Habitat Management	Science for Healthy and Productive Aquatic Ecosystems

Benefits to Canadians

The Department is responsible for ensuring the sustainable development and integrated management of resources in or around Canada's aquatic environment through oceans and fish habitat management.

Oceans and freshwater biodiversity, resources, and habitat are an important part of Canada's environmental, social, cultural, and economic fabric. The aquaculture industry and wild fisheries, for example, both depend on productive fish-bearing waters, and both can have negative impacts on the broader ecosystem. However, the diverse needs of multiple users put great pressure on marine and freshwater resources and environments. Economic growth associated with inland, onshore, and off-shore development has had, and will continue to have, a significant impact on Canada's marine and freshwater systems.

Marine activities must be managed in a sustainable way to support aquatic environments and ecosystems. Oceans health, marine habitat loss, declining biodiversity, growing demands for access to ocean resources, and regulatory and jurisdictional complexities are among the challenges that the Department faces in providing Canadians with healthy and productive aquatic ecosystems.

To address these challenges, integrated management processes have been established in five large areas in each of Canada's three oceans. In 2008-09, DFO launched the Pacific North Coast Integrated Management Area to engage Canadians on our West Coast in the development of an integrated management plan for the Pacific North Coast. Significant progress has also been made on the development of integrated management plans for the Beaufort Sea Integrated Management Area and the Placentia Bay/Grand Banks Large Oceans Management Area. Implementation is underway for the integrated management plan for the Eastern Scotian Shelf.

This planning has also been supported by specific conservation measures including the establishment of Canada's seventh Marine Protected Area (under the Oceans Act) — the Bowie Seamount on Canada's West Coast. Four new Centres of Expertise were established to improve the national application of knowledge relating to corals, state of the oceans reporting, traditional ecological knowledge, and coastal management.

DFO continued to protect habitat through the regulatory review process and has worked to improve the way that Environmental Assessments are conducted through the Regulatory Improvement Initiative for Major Resource Projects.

Effective measures to protect and, in some cases, restore the health and productivity of our aquatic ecosystems, habitats, and species are predicated on sound scientific knowledge.

Providing Canadians with this...	To achieve these results...
The sustainable use and conservation of Canada's oceans in collaboration with other levels of government, Aboriginal organizations and other non-government stakeholders.	Canada's ocean areas managed through the adoption of integrated management approaches. Coordinated and effective oceans governance.

Resources and Results

From Resources...			To Results...
	$ milliona	FTEb		Target	Result	Status
Planned	24.2	162	Coveragec	100% by 2035	31%	Mostly met (80%-99%)
Total Authorities	26.3	n/a	Governanced	100%	80%	Mostly met (80%-99%)
Actual	21.1	145	Stakeholder Engagemente	100%	60%	Somewhat met (60%-79%)

^aFinancial figures include Program Enablers (Planned: $5.1 million; Total Authorities: $7.5 million; Actual: $6.9 million).

^bFTE figures include Program Enablers (Planned: 31; Actual: 30).

^cEstimated percentage of Canadian ocean area with integrated management structures.

^dPercentage of Large Ocean Management Areas with inter-jurisdictional Regional Implementation Committees or equivalents.

^ePercentage of Large Ocean Management Areas with Stakeholder Advisory Committees or equivalent.

The Challenge

Modern oceans management arrangements deal with a number of challenges including oceans health; marine habitat loss; declining biodiversity; growing, and often competing, demands for access to ocean resources; and regulatory and jurisdictional complexities. Ensuring that Canadians' goals are met requires a strong science foundation, governance mechanisms to ensure effective decision-making and policy/regulatory tools to support sustainable use and conservation objectives.

Our Performance

Integrated management processes have been established in five large areas in each of our three oceans. These bring together government regulators, industry, communities and Aboriginal Canadians to develop plans for the sustainable use of our oceans. This work is complemented by the Government's $61.5 million Health of the Oceans agenda, which invests in science, marine protection, and pollution prevention.

In 2008-09, DFO launched the Pacific North Coast Integrated Management Area to engage Canadians on our West Coast in the development of an integrated management plan for the Pacific North Coast. Significant progress has also been made on the development of integrated management plans for the Beaufort Sea Integrated Management Area and the Placentia Bay/Grand Banks Large Oceans Management Area. Implementation is underway for the integrated management plan for the Eastern Scotian Shelf.

This planning has also been supported by specific conservation measures including the establishment of Canada's seventh Marine Protected Area (under the Oceans Act) — the Bowie Seamount on Canada's West Coast.

Marine Protected Areas and Areas of Interest across Canada

Supporting the Health of the Oceans... Engaged Canadians in identification of the next candidates as Marine Protected Areas under the Oceans Act. Launched work, in cooperation with the provinces, to design a national system of Marine Protected Areas networks by 2012. Canada contributed to the health of the Arctic Ocean through the development of a suite of indicators to assess and monitor Arctic ecosystems, and contributing to two Arctic Council initiatives to document the State of the Arctic Basin and best practices in ecosystem-based management in the Arctic Ocean. Established four new Centres of Expertise to improve the national application of knowledge relating to corals, state of the oceans reporting, traditional ecological knowledge, and coastal management. Put in place new equipment and response systems to enhance the Canadian Coast Guard's response to oil spills. Provided sound scientific footing for a number of Health of the Oceans initiatives. Enhanced bilateral collaboration with the US in the Gulf of Maine is ongoing.

Moving Forward

DFO will continue to work to implement the Government's Health of the Oceans agenda including the establishment of a system of networks of marine protected areas, including six new Oceans Act marine protected areas. Efforts will continue to advance the development and implementation of integrated oceans management plans in our five Large Oceans Management Areas.

Oceans Management Sub-Activities

Integrated Oceans Management	Marine Conservation Tools

Providing Canadians with this...	To achieve these results...
The conservation and protection of fish and fish habitat from the impacts of activities occurring in and around fresh and marine fish-bearing waters, and improvement of fish habitat.	Healthy and productive fish habitat available to sustain the production of fish species and populations that Canadians value.

Resources and Results

From Resources...			To Results...
	$ milliona	FTEb		Target	Result	Status
Planned	110.8	686	Compensation Plansc	420	235	Mostly met (80%-99%)
Total Authorities	123.4	n/a	Complianced	100%	64%	Somewhat met (60%-79%)
Actual	124.2	672

^aFinancial figures include Program Enablers (Planned: $40.2 million; Total Authorities: $56.7 million; Actual: $51.3 million).

^bFTE figures include Program Enablers (Planned: 117; Actual: 112).

^cNumber of Fisheries Act authorizations with compensation plans to offset the loss of fish habitat as a result of development projects. This indicator will be replaced in future years as the Habitat Management Program is unable to control the number of authorizations that will be issued from one year to the next. Authorizations are used only when a project proponent is unable to redesign or relocate the project so that it avoids harming or degrading fish habitat. In this context, a better indicator is the proportion of authorizations that include a compensation plan. For 2008-09, that figure is 88%, hence a rating of "Mostly met".

^dPercentage of site inspections that conform with terms and conditions of operational statements, best management practices, letters of advice and Fisheries Act authorizations.

The Challenge

DFO's Habitat Management Program is directly involved in the environmental assessments of some of the largest and most complex natural resource and industrial developments across the country — mines, liquefied natural gas terminals, hydroelectric projects, oil sands projects, and infrastructure projects. DFO anticipates roughly $300 billion in large-scale development proposals over the next few years.

Economic development activities across Canada, particularly in the natural resource sector and more recently in Canada's North, have increased the need for environmental assessments and environmental protection. Stakeholders expect greater involvement in policy and program development and implementation, and legal thresholds for consultations with Aboriginal groups are higher. The Habitat Management Program has to manage the referral of more complex development proposals for regulatory review and environmental assessment, and must review an increasing number of existing facilities.

A sound scientific understanding of species, habitats, and ecosystems is a necessary basis for habitat protection, conservation, and management.

Our Performance

In 2008-09, DFO received 4,000 notifications of use of national Operational Statements for low risk activities (60% more than the past year). The number of requests for reviews and assessments also increased significantly.

The regulatory reviews of major resource projects to which the initiative on Regulatory Improvements for Major Resource Projects (RIMP) applies, have not progressed enough yet to determine if the review times have been reduced. In 2009-10, DFO will continue to undertake activities to facilitate more timely reviews.

General timelines for the conduct of Environmental Assessments (Screenings: 9-12 months; Comprehensive Studies: 21 months; federal review panel: 14 months) and for regulatory decision-making (three months after the Environmental Assessment Course of Action decision, Aboriginal consultation and completion of Fisheries Act requirements) have been identified for major resource projects reviewed under the initiative on RIMP. These standards are being applied and included in Project Agreements.

95 percent of all Notices of Commencement concerning DFO's Environmental Assessments were posted on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry Internet Site within 14 days from Environmental Assessment start date.

Habitat compliance is a new initiative and has just begun to collect data on this indicator. Consequently, a complete data set has not been validated. This result is best viewed as a baseline against which future performance may be assessed.

The prototype of an Integrated Reporting Module for access by DFO managers was completed, and new data collection systems for tracking Major Projects and compliance monitoring were implemented.

 

Regulatory Improvement Initiative for Major Resource Projects has... Reduced regulatory review times for major projects. Implemented service standards for timelines for the conduct of Environmental Assessments. Complied with data collection requirements (95%). Provided timely and convenient access to habitat data.

Moving Forward

In 2009-10, DFO will continue to improve the efficiency of its regulatory activities, including efforts to modernize habitat compliance. DFO will continue to invest to ensure that its responsibilities with regard to environmental stewardship of aquaculture projects are met. DFO will also seek to accelerate the regulatory review and approval processes for infrastructure projects under Canada's Economic Action Plan. Lastly, DFO will invest in further development and implementation of federal-provincial-territorial partnering agreements on habitat management.

Habitat Management Sub-Activities

Conservation and Protection of Fish Habitat	Environmental Assessments	Habitat Program Services	Aboriginal Inland Habitat Program

Providing Canadians with this...	To achieve these results...
The recovery of extirpated, endangered, and threatened species; and the management of special concerned species to prevent them from becoming at risk.	Species at Risk Act (SARA)-legislated timelines and requirements are met. Federal policies and departmental guidelines on implementation of the Act are developed.

The Challenge

Species at risk protection and conservation is a joint responsibility of the federal, provincial, and territorial governments. As a result, the capacity and level of co-operation and support within each of the provinces and territories can have a significant impact on the implementation of SARA. In addition, land claim agreements in the territories have established wildlife management boards, which share responsibilities with governments on the management of species at risk. Co-operation between and among jurisdictions is critical for the successful implementation of recovery strategies and action plans.

The responsibilities of the Species at Risk Management Program associated with implementation of the Species at Risk Act (SARA) grow year over year as the number of species assessed as being at-risk by the arm's-length scientific assessment body, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) increases. In light of significant information gaps for many species, meeting the SARA-legislated timelines for the production of SARA documents (i.e. species recovery strategies and management plans) has proven to be challenging.

In addition, DFO together with the other federal departments and agencies responsible for implementing SARA, Environment Canada and Parks Canada Agency, are still determining how best to meet the obligations of a still relatively new and complex conservation legislation. The challenges associated with the implementation of SARA are being reviewed by the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development, which started its review of the Act in 2009-10.

Our Performance

In 2008-09, the Department's Species at Risk Secretariat was renamed Species at Risk Management and integrated into the Oceans and Habitat Sector as a separate Program Activity. This organizational change is one of the mechanisms for ensuring that DFO undertakes its regulatory obligations under SARA in a consistent and coherent fashion across Canada.

DFO, together with Environment Canada and Parks Canada Agency, participated in the early stages of the Parliamentary review of SARA through the provision of a technical briefing to Parliamentarians.

Assessments of the status of species were undertaken by COSEWIC; DFO played a significant role in the provision of scientific information which informs the COSEWIC process. In preparation for engagement in the COSEWIC assessments, DFO undertook a detailed review of the scientific information available for each species; DFO provided scientific data for 20 species assessments undertaken by COSEWIC in 2008 09, and undertook reviews for six species which will be assessed in future years.

While only one recovery strategy was finalized and posted on the SARA Public Registry in 2008-09, work was underway on another 19 recovery strategies and 12 management plans which are expected to be finalized in 2009-10.

Recognizing the importance of the participation of Provinces and Territories in the implementation of SARA, DFO was engaged in the finalization of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board to harmonize the designation of species under the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement and SARA, and of a financial sub-agreement as part of the Federal-Provincial Accord on Species at Risk with the Government of Quebec.

During 2008-09, Species at Risk Management achieved the following... Developed, together with Environment Canada and Parks Canada Agency, a federal SARA Policy Suite to guide a consistent and coherent approach to the implementation of SARA. Contributed scientific information for the COSEWIC assessment of 20 aquatic species; and recommended to the Minister of Environment the listing of nine aquatic species. Commenced, continued or finalized recovery strategies and management plans for 20 recovery strategies and 12 management plans for SARA-listed species.

Moving Forward

In 2009-10, DFO will continue to improve its processes within the Species at Risk Management Program to ensure that the Department meets its obligations under SARA related to the protection and recovery of species listed under the Act. It will review its priority-setting mechanism, and its resource allocation processes to ensure that resources are directed towards meeting identified priorities. The management structure of the Program will also be reorganized to support the achievement of Program priorities. The Department will continue efforts to ensure the engagement of Provinces and Territories in the implementation of SARA, and the achievement of its objectives, through the development of Federal-Provincial Accords on species at risk.

Providing Canadians with this...	To achieve these results...
Scientific advice to inform departmental and federal policies, programs, decisions, and regulations associated with the integrated management of Canada's oceans and fish habitat resources.	Comprehensive understanding of aquatic ecosystem function.

Resources and Results

From Resources...			To Results...
	$ milliona	FTEb		Target	Result	Status
Planned	77.8	504	Publicationsc	Maintain current level	43	Met (100%)
Total Authorities	85.2	n/a	Marine Biology and Hydrobiology Publicationsd	Maintain or exceed current level	22%	Met (100%)
Actual	86.2	514	Oceanography and Limnology Publicationse	Maintain or exceed current level	27%	Met (100%)

^aFinancial figures include Program Enablers (Planned: $22.7 million; Total Authorities: $30.2 million; Actual: $27.3 million).

^bFTE figures include Program Enablers (Planned: 101; Actual: 97).

^cNumber of Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat publications on aquatic ecosystems.

^dPercentage of Canadian publications in marine biology and hydrobiology attributed to DFO.

^ePercentage of Canadian publications in oceanography and limnology attributed to DFO.

The Challenge

The management of human activity in or around marine and freshwater aquatic environments and the protection of aquatic ecosystems depend on scientific research, understanding, and knowledge. Activities such as oil and gas exploration and development, mining, hydro and tidal power among others, have the potential to impact fish and/or fish habitat. As the ocean economy evolves beyond the traditional seafood sector, multiple and sometimes conflicting uses of the oceans necessitate an integrated ecosystem approach to the management of these uses and the science that informs their management. Further compounding the Science Program's ability to provide advice are the cumulative impacts associated with these activities as well as the impacts of climate change on aquatic ecosystems.

In response to this challenge, the Science Program will continue to implement an ecosystem-based approach to the integrated management of Canada's oceans and inland waterways. This approach provides for an interdisciplinary approach that delivers a more complete understanding of the diversity, population dynamics, habitat and implications for development, and ultimately provides more comprehensive information that reflects the needs of decision and policy-makers.

Our Performance

In recent years, Government of Canada investments in DFO Science have facilitated the transformation from a single species approach to a broader ecosystem-based approach in support of healthy and productive aquatic ecosystems. In keeping with this objective, six geographically based Ecosystem Research Initiatives (ERIs) have been established across Canada to improve our scientific understanding of how these major ecosystems work (i.e. ecosystem structure and function), identify the drivers of change, and enable predictions as to how the cumulative impacts of development may influence these ecosystems.

The recently established Climate Change Science Initiative (CCSI) is working closely with the Ecosystem Research Initiatives to better understand and predict the regional impacts of climate change models on aquatic ecosystems and to anticipate emerging issues including ocean dead zones (hypoxia) and ocean acidification. The Ecosystem Research Initiatives and the Climate Change Science Initiative are in varied stages of implementation, and will continue to mature and reach their full potential in the next couple of years.

As part of the Government of Canada's investment in the Health of the Oceans, the Department's Science Program continued to provide advice on the designation and conservation objectives for new Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), and the evaluation of established MPAs in meeting their conservation objectives via the development of monitoring strategies and protocols.

Approximately 43 advisory publications, including science advisory reports, research documents, proceedings, and science responses were produced in direct support of science advice requirements associated with healthy and productive aquatic ecosystems. The number of advisory publications in support of this strategic outcome has remained consistent in the last three years. These and other advisory publications can be accessed on line via the Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat.

In 2007, DFO produced 22% of all Canadian publications in marine biology and hydrobiology, and 27% of publications in oceanography and limnology (Source: Observatoire des sciences et des technologies). The percentage of publications in these two sub-disciplines has been stable in the last two years; however, there is an overall trend towards a decrease in the percentage of publications as compared with previous years.

Moving Forward

The continued progress towards the adoption of the ecosystem-based approach as the default modus operandi for Science as well as the other initiatives under Science Renewal will remain essential as the Department faces future challenges. By fully realizing the ecosystem approach, the Science Program will deliver more comprehensive information that reflects the diverse demand for knowledge by decision and policy-makers in support of the integrated management of Canada's oceans and inland waterways.

Science for Healthy and Productive Aquatic Ecosystems Sub-Activities

Fish Habitat Science	Aquatic Ecosystem Sciences	Ocean Climate

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