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The DFO Maritimes Region’s Ecosystem-Based Management (EBM) Initiative

The DFO Maritimes Region’s Ecosystem-Based Management (EBM) Initiative responds to the broad mandate of DFO to apply an ecosystem approach to fisheries and ocean management and the aspiration of the Government of Canada to achieve sustainable management of its ocean and freshwater systems.

The EBM Initiative has collaboratively developed a framework that includes ecological, economic, social/cultural, and governance dimensions in a holistic way to support evidence-informed decision-making.

Download a report describing the EBM Framework here

NOTE: The EBM Initiative and EBM Framework are currently not DFO Policy.

Goals of the EBM Google Site

The purpose of this platform is to share information about EBM and the EBM Initiative with those who are interested, those who have participated or contributed to the development of the Maritimes EBM Framework (Version 1.0, 2025) and those who would like to learn more .

The purpose is also to raise awareness of this work as we continue to communicate and share the framework more broadly within DFO and beyond. The site functions as a 'one stop shop' that houses all materials and outputs together in a single, accessible space for interested parties to learn about the EBM Initiative and Framework.

The EBM Working Group

The EBM Working Group is the governing body of EBM Initiative. The working group is made up of 11 DFO staff from the Maritimes Region across five sectors. The EBM Initiative and Working Group are supported by two co-champions.

The EBM working group emerged from the EBM Workshop I in December 2019, which was hosted by the EBFM (Regional) Working Group.