Fishing harbours list updated

Summary#

The final regulations update the list of harbours that are owned and managed by Fisheries and Oceans Canada in the Fishing and Recreational Harbours Regulations (Miscellaneous Program). The change removes 62 harbours from the list, adds 3 others, and corrects several harbour names and locations. These amendments came into force on January 30, 2026.

What it does#

• Removes 62 harbour entries from Schedule I of the Fishing and Recreational Harbours Regulations (Miscellaneous Program) to reflect harbours that have been divested by Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
• Adds 3 harbour entries to Schedule I to reflect harbours that have been acquired by Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
• Replaces or corrects the names or locations of 5 existing Schedule I entries so the list matches commonly used or official names. These corrections include:
  • Opitsat changed to Opisaht (British Columbia).
  • French River changed to French River - North Landing (Prince Edward Island).
  • Wollaston Lake changed to Wollaston Lake (Hidden Bay) (Saskatchewan).
  • Bauline East changed to Bauline South (Newfoundland and Labrador).
  • Hay River changed to Hay River (East Channel) (Northwest Territories).
• Adds three new Schedule I entries by item number: Hollow Water, Wollaston Lake (Welcome Bay), and Clyde River.
• The amendments are administrative updates reflecting past divestitures and acquisitions. They do not create new obligations or costs for stakeholders.

Who's affected#

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada — maintains the updated official list of federal fishing and recreational harbours.
• Local harbour authorities, community groups, fishers, and small craft users in the affected communities may notice the change in whether a harbour is listed as federally managed.
• Small businesses and stakeholders: the government’s regulatory note says there is no expected impact on small businesses or new administrative burden.
• If it’s unclear whether a particular harbour you use is affected, check with Fisheries and Oceans Canada or local harbour authorities for the specific status of that harbour.

Why it matters#

• The Schedule I list determines which harbours are identified as owned or managed by the federal government under the regulations. Updating it keeps public records accurate.
• For local communities and harbour users, the change mainly clarifies which facilities remain under federal management versus those that have been divested. That can affect who to contact about maintenance, services, or future changes.
• The amendments are descriptive, not policy changes — they reflect actions that have already happened and, according to the government, do not add costs or new rules.