Fisheries and Oceans Canada is responsible for policies and programs in support of Canada's economic, ecological and scientific interests in the oceans and freshwater fish habitat; for the conservation and sustained utilization of Canada's fisheries resources in marine and inland waters; and, for safe, effective and environmentally sound marine services responsive to the needs of Canadians in a global economy.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada has a mission to work toward safe, healthy, productive waters and aquatic ecosystems for the benefit of present and future generations by maintaining the highest possible standards of service to Canadians.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada and FREMP
Fisheries and Oceans Canada is responsible for water, fish and habitat for all of Canada, so Fisheries and Oceans Canada plays a very important role in policy directives and habitat restoration for the FREMP area .

Fisheries and Oceans Canada's primary role has been to provide advice on compliance with the habitat sections of the Fisheries Act. The most commonly used sections of the Fisheries Act are Section 35(1) dealing with harmful alteration, disruption and destruction of fish habitat, and Section 36 dealing with deposits of deleterious substances, which is also administered by Environment Canada. The Fisheries Act is the only legislation through which an environmental offender can be charged, but it is only effective after the fact.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada also defines the "fisheries sensitive" periods for development permits and must approve all development projects in the Fraser River Estuary. Continuing the "one-window, one review" approach, Fisheries and Oceans uses the environmental reviews as part of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA).