This Code outlines general principles and guidelines for all commercial fishing operation that take place in Canadian water. Bearing in mind that Canada played a leading role in the development of the U.N. Food Agriculture Organisation (FAO)Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, this Canadian Code of conduct is consistent with, and in no way diminishes, the FAO code. The Code has been articulated by Canadian fish harvesters who ratified that Conservation Harvesting Plans or Fisheries Management Plans should incorporate the Code of Conduct.

The importance of recreational fisheries is increasing in many transitional economies. These guidelines focus on recreational fisheries and describe strategies to promote environmentally sustainable and socially responsible management of such fisheries. To this end, the document details policy, managerial and behavioural recommendations for sustainable recreational fisheries.