Oceana Canada applauds government investment in rebuilding Canada’s fish stocks
Press Release Date: November 22, 2018
Yesterday, federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau announced $107.4 million over five years for rebuilding and assessments of fish stocks across Canada, supporting the implementation of rebuilding provisions in a renewed Fisheries Act.
In response to this announcement, Oceana Canada’s Executive Director, Josh Laughren, issued the following statement:
“This is great news for Canada’s fisheries and a critical investment that will help address one of the most urgent challenges in managing Canada’s oceans: the need to rebuild depleted fisheries and rebuild abundance.
The need for this funding is clear: Oceana Canada’s Fishery Audit 2018, revealed that only 34 per cent of fish stocks can confidently be considered healthy, and over 13 per cent of fish stocks, including the iconic Northern cod, are critically depleted, requiring immediate rebuilding actions.
This funding, along with a strengthened Fisheries Act with clear regulations, could set us on a path towards a more abundant ocean and a sustainable future for our seafood industry and coastal communities.”
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For more information, please contact: Kara-Ann Miel, Communications Director, Oceana Canada, 647-535-6326, kmiel@oceana.ca
About Oceana Canada’s Fishery Audit
Oceana Canada’s annual Fishery Audit reports on the state of fish stocks and tracks progress on how well the government is meeting its policy and management commitments. The Audit outlines key recommendations to the government that will support better management of Canada’s fisheries. The full report can be read online at FisheryAudit.ca.
About Oceana Canada
Oceana Canada is an independent charity and 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.