TORONTO, Feb. 06, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Representatives from Oceana Canada will be available for comment immediately following Minister LeBlanc’s scheduled 12:00 p.m. EST press conference today about the Fisheries Act.
Oceana Canada will be watching closely to see how the Government of Canada is following through on its mandate commitments and a recommendation by the House of Commons Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans to incorporate modern safeguards into the Act, including rebuilding depleted fish populations and preventing overfishing. This would support thriving coastal communities, build a more vibrant economy and stronger food—and job—security for future generations.
“By amending the Fisheries Act to provide legal guidance to rebuild depleted fisheries, Minister LeBlanc has an historic opportunity to swiftly address one of our greatest challenges in managing Canada’s oceans and create a positive legacy of ocean abundance for generations to come,” said Josh Laughren, Executive Director, Oceana Canada. “Many of our fisheries remain severely depleted from overfishing, and most are still awaiting rebuilding plans, in some cases for decades. Canada’s track record, and experience in countries around the world, shows that a legal mandate is critical to recovering fisheries.”
Canadian fish populations declined by 52 per cent from 1970-2006; half of this incredible resource that sustained so many for so long, gone in one lifetime. Leading fishing nations such as the United States and the European Union are successfully tackling overfishing by legally requiring rebuilding plans when fish populations decline. In the U.S. alone, this has led to a record number of 32 fish stocks being rebuilt since 2006, generating 54 per cent more revenue than when they were overfished.
For more information, please contact: Lesley Wilmot, Oceana Canada 416-583-2352, lwilmot@oceana.ca.
About Oceana Canada
Oceana Canada was established as an independent charity in 2015 and is part of the largest international advocacy group dedicated solely to ocean conservation. Canada has the longest coastline in the world, with an ocean surface area of 7.1 million square kilometres, or 70 per cent of its landmass. Oceana Canada believes that Canada has a national and global obligation to manage our natural resources responsibly and help ensure a sustainable source of protein for the world’s growing population. Oceana Canada works with civil society, academics, fishers, Indigenous Peoples and the federal government to return Canada’s formerly vibrant oceans to health and abundance. By restoring Canada’s oceans, we can strengthen our communities, reap greater economic and nutritional benefits, and protect our future. oceana.ca.