The Pacific Fisheries Resource Conservation Council promotes public accountability in the conservation of biologically diverse and abundant Pacific fish populations, as well as the health of the ecosystems upon which they depend.
The Council provides governments and the general public with objective information regarding the state of the Pacific's fisheries resources and fisheries habitat.
The Council promotes and encourages:
- an integrated, "ecosystem approach" to fisheries management
- responsible public and private stewardship of marine resources and fish habitat
- public awareness of the importance of marine biological diversity, sustainability in fisheries management regimes and fishing practices, and the cultural, recreational and economic values associated with the Pacific fisheries
The Pacific Fisheries Resource Conservation Council (PFRCC or ‘the Council’) provides independent advice on conservation and environmental sustainability of Pacific salmon stocks and their freshwater and ocean habitats. The Council’s role is to advise the federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, the British Columbia Minister of Fisheries and the public. The Council also assists in encouraging the free exchange of information among governments, First Nations, stakeholders and the general public. The Pacific Fisheries Resource Conservation Council was created by the federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans on September 18, 1998. The key roles of the PFRCC are to:
- Provide strategic advice regarding stock conservation and enhancement, habitat restoration, protection and improvement, and fisheries conservation objectives. This includes identifying stocks in need of conservation actions and stocks where there is insufficient information to assess their conservation status.
- Describe the effects of conditions in freshwater and marine ecosystems on the conservation of Pacific salmon.
- Review and make recommendations pertaining to research programs, stock and habitat assessments, enhancement initiatives, and government policies and practices related to conservation of Pacific salmon and their freshwater and ocean habitat.
- Integrate scientific information with knowledge and experience of First Nations, stakeholders and other parties.
- Alert the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and the public on issues that threaten the achievement of departmentally defined conservation objectives for Pacific fish populations or their freshwater or ocean habitat.
- Provide information to governments and the public on the status of Pacific salmon stocks and their freshwater and ocean habitat in order to enhance understanding and support for fish conservation and habitat protection.