Government of Canada announces new investment in ocean science
Press Release Date: May 11, 2016
Today, Fisheries and Oceans Canada announced a significant investment in marine science as part of the largest single recruitment to help restore ocean science. The government has committed to hiring 135 research scientists, biologists, oceanographers and technicians, as well as acquire new and innovative technologies to collect data and share information more efficiently.
In response to today’s announcement, Oceana Canada’s Executive Director, Josh Laughren, issued the following statement:
“This is great news for Canada’s fisheries and a critical reinvestment in science capacity. Canada’s fish populations have been in a long, slow decline, and the economic and social impact of their neglect has been felt across our coastal communities. Despite having the largest coastline in the world, Canada continues to rank well below international standards of marine and fish population levels. Today’s announcement is an important opportunity to begin reversing this trend.
In addition to a lack of science capacity, there has been a long-standing reluctance or inability to share what information we do have on the state of our fish stocks. Investing in more science capacity must be matched with actions that provide Canadians with a clear understanding of the state of our fisheries and how the government is managing this globally important resource.
With today’s announcement, Minister Tootoo is delivering on this government’s commitment to invest in science. Next up, he can deliver on the commitment to openness and transparency. Together, these will provide the foundation to rebuild Canada’s fisheries, create a more abundant ocean, and secure a sustainable future for our seafood industry and coastal communities.”
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Oceana Canada, an independent charity established to restore Canadian oceans to be as rich, healthy and abundant as they once were, is proud to be affiliated with the international family of Oceana organizations.
Oceana is the largest international advocacy organization focused solely on ocean conservation. It runs science-based campaigns and seek to win policy victories that can restore ocean biodiversity and ensure that the oceans are abundant and can feed hundreds of millions of people. Oceana victories have already helped to create policies that could increase fish populations in its countries by as much as 40 per cent and that have protected more than 2.5 million square miles of ocean. Oceana has campaign offices in the countries that control close to 40 per cent of the world’s wild fish catch, including in North, South and Central America, Asia, and Europe. To learn more, please visit www.oceana.ca.
