Legal and Policy Alignment with the Principles of Just and Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

Using Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, as a case study, this chapter examines alignment between the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines) and the laws and policies applying to small-scale fisheries in the province. We use interactive governance as an analytical lens to investigate opportunities to strengthen this alignment. Two central questions guide this analysis. First, how do the laws and policies in Newfoundland and Labrador align with principles and topics covered by the SSF Guidelines? Second, using insights from this analysis, what are the legal, policy, and practical opportunities for further alignment with the Guidelines to advance Blue Justice? Drawing on sources such as federal and provincial laws and policies and secondary literature, this analysis reveals that there is ample coverage of the SSF Guidelines in law and policy, but key opportunities exist for stronger alignment to enhance protections for small-scale fisheries. These areas of improvement include better integration of rights and assurances in legislation and policy frameworks, including distinct legal recognition and representation for the small-scale fishing fleet, and the introduction of secure access and tenure rights for small-scale fisheries.