16 metres in the Bay of Fundy. Roughly 7 million Canadians live in coastal areas, where many people in smaller communities depend on the oceans' resources and tourism to make a living. There were 24,200 commercial fishing vessels in 1999. In 1998, there were approximately 11,000 businesses in the ocean sector, including fish processing, aquaculture, offshore oil and gas, transportation, coastal tourism, construction and technologies, ocean services, hydrography and engineering.
Aquaculture is one of the fastest-growing food production activities in the world.
Each year, CCG helps more than 4,500 small fishing vessels or recreational boaters in distress. Currently, there are approximately 200 boating fatalities and 6,000 boating accidents annually. DFO plays a leading role in managing and safeguarding oceans and inland waters and their resources for Canadians. It is committed to ensuring safe, healthy, productive waters and aquatic ecosystems, for the benefit of present and future generations. It advances these goals by maintaining the highest possible standards of service to Canadians in the areas of sustainable development, environmental stewardship and public safety.