Known as a prairie province, one of Manitoba’s best kept secrets is its amazing lake system -- it boasts over 100,000 lakes (301 that are commercially fished). Under the surface of several lakes, a complex story is unfolding that will shape the future of three freshwater fisheries.
Fishing is a cultural cornerstone for many Manitobans. This is especially true for the Indigenous communities that have relied on these lakes for sustenance and tradition for countless generations. Ensuring fisheries are sustainable helps maintain this essential way of life for future generations.
“Everything has to be about the fish. Because if we don't have the fish, we don't have a healthy ecosystem, fishing community, or healthy lakes,” says Bill Galbraith, Senior Resources Management Officer with Indigenous Services Canada who has been advocating for MSC certification in Manitoba since 2008.
MSC certification is one tool these fisheries have decided to use to ensure the fish are managed sustainability. The Manitoba provincial Fisheries Branch, responsible for the conservation of the province’s fisheries, has recognized the value of MSC certification and has committed to support fisheries in achieving 80% of its lake fisheries certified.
And now the hard work begins.
“Everything has to be about the fish. Because if we don't have the fish, we don't have a healthy ecosystem, fishing community, or healthy lakes,” says Bill Galbraith, Senior Resources Management Officer with Indigenous Services Canada who has been advocating for MSC certification in Manitoba since 2008.
MSC certification is one tool these fisheries have decided to use to ensure the fish are managed sustainability. The Manitoba provincial Fisheries Branch, responsible for the conservation of the province’s fisheries, has recognized the value of MSC certification and has committed to support fisheries in achieving 80% of its lake fisheries certified.
And now the hard work begins.
Bringing Fishers on Board
One of the biggest challenges in achieving MSC certification is getting fishers on board with making changes to their long-established practices. Because the MSC program is completely voluntary, participation depends on fishers understanding what the standard involves and the long-term benefits it can bring, such as stronger market opportunities and healthier fish stocks.
Fishers need access to clear information about what the MSC program is, how it works, and why it matters. But in Manitoba, that’s no small task. Many fishing communities are remote, some can only be reached by plane or by winter ice roads.
Simply bringing people together to talk about the future of their fisheries is a logistical challenge. Fortunately, the Manitoba Fisheries Branch and Fish Forward, a partnership between government, ENGO’s, fisher groups, and supply chain partners are working hard to bridge those distances.
Manitoban fishers are stepping up adapting practices, learning new tools and engaging in shared problem-solving. In August of 2025, MSC coordinated a workshop with ENGO’s, fishers from across 5 Manitoban lakes, government and supply chain partners to share information on the MSC process and begin to dive into the specific improvements needed. For most of the fisheries, these improvements are similar and consist of refining their ghost gear strategy, implementing a logbook system for fishers to record catch including any bycatch or incidental catch, and developing Harvest Control Rules (fishing limits that are responsive to information from stock status).
Image credit: Fish Forward
Adapting to a New MarketplaceAnother challenge came with the end of Manitoba’s government-run Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation monopoly in 2016. For decades, all commercially caught fish in the province had to be sold through this single channel. The end of the monopoly introduced a new set of challenges and opportunities for Manitoba’s fishers. Competing in a global marketplace required adapting to changing buyer expectations, particularly around sustainability. Education and collaboration played a key role in supporting this transition.
Today, many fishers are actively supporting the goal of achieving MSC certification and are working closely with provincial managers to understand what policies and operational changes are needed to meet the MSC standard.
Both Lake Winnipeg and Lake Manitoba have completed pre-assessments, which provide an initial scoring range against the MSC standard and identify key areas for improvement. Lake Winnipegosis has also begun its own pre-assessment to evaluate performance and determine next steps. Based on these assessments, each fishery decides how to move forward. Some have chosen to enter a Fishery Improvement Project (FIP), demonstrating to markets their commitment to sustainable practices.
Once up and running as a FIP, the three Manitoban lakes are planning on entering the MSC Improvement Program (MSCIP), a five-year window during which the fishery can make necessary changes and access support and funding before undertaking full certification.
These Manitoban fisheries demonstrate how small-scale fishing communities can collaborate to build capacity and drive meaningful change toward achieving MSC certification.
Both Lake Winnipeg and Lake Manitoba have completed pre-assessments, which provide an initial scoring range against the MSC standard and identify key areas for improvement. Lake Winnipegosis has also begun its own pre-assessment to evaluate performance and determine next steps. Based on these assessments, each fishery decides how to move forward. Some have chosen to enter a Fishery Improvement Project (FIP), demonstrating to markets their commitment to sustainable practices.
Once up and running as a FIP, the three Manitoban lakes are planning on entering the MSC Improvement Program (MSCIP), a five-year window during which the fishery can make necessary changes and access support and funding before undertaking full certification.
These Manitoban fisheries demonstrate how small-scale fishing communities can collaborate to build capacity and drive meaningful change toward achieving MSC certification.