The Government of Canada is further investing in research to better inform the protection of our oceans, lakes, rivers and waterways and the many species that call them home. The unfortunate reality is that microplastics and pharmaceuticals enter our water systems due to human activity. This means we must continue to study and understand the threats that our ecosystems face.
St. John’s, NL – The Government of Canada is committed to responsibly managing Snow crab fisheries in Newfoundland and Labrador to ensure the sustainability of the stock for today and generations to come. This work requires close collaboration with harvesters, the Fish Food and Allied Workers (FFAW) union, Indigenous partners, and other stakeholders while also considering socioeconomic factors and the most recent science advice.
The Government of Canada is further investing in research to better inform the protection of our oceans, lakes, rivers and waterways and the many species that call them home. The unfortunate reality is that microplastics, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and oil- and gas-related contaminants enter our water systems due to human activity. This means we must continue to study and understand the threats that our ecosystems face.
On February 4, 2021, Hai A. Trinh was found guilty in Powell River Provincial Court for fishing in a closed area of Desolation Sound, retaining undersize prawns, and other violations of the Fisheries Act. The Honourable Justice Leven Wingham ordered the commercial prawn harvester to pay a fine of $30,000 and forfeit the value of his catch, which sold for $12,630.
On September 10, 2020 in Campbell River Provincial Court, the Honourable Judge Crockett found Mr. Josh Duncan, the vessel master of the commercial herring seine vessel Western King, guilty of violations of the Fisheries Act. The Court ordered Mr. Duncan to pay a total fine of $11,607.60.
On February 23, 2021, Niu Shu and Chuck Fung pleaded guilty in Sechelt Provincial Court to several significant recreational rockfish and lingcod fishing violations near Egmont, B.C.
As one of the six prohibited species under the federal Aquatic Invasive Species Regulations, Zebra Mussels are one of the biggest aquatic invasive threats in Canada. Once established, these invasive mussels multiply quickly and can harm Canada’s aquatic ecosystems by altering food webs, damaging habitats, and out-competing native species for food. They also have the potential to cause substantial, costly damage by clogging intake structures in power stations and water treatment plants as well as damaging watercrafts.
Sustainable fisheries, marine safety, and protection of the marine environment are of critical importance to Arctic communities. In 2018, Fisheries and Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard announced the creation of stand-alone Arctic Regions to advance reconciliation, partnerships and collaboration with Inuit, First Nation and Métis Nation organizations and governments, provinces and territories and other partners.
The Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec are announcing funding of more than $1 million to improve the efficiency, quality and sustainability of Quebec’s fish and seafood sector. The Government of Canada’s contribution to these thirteen projects amounts to $855,806, and the Government of Quebec’s contribution is $376,773.
Canada and our partners around the world are facing unprecedented challenges from an economic crisis, climate change and a recovery from COVID-19. Canada and our international counterparts recognize the potential that healthy oceans will have as a powerful solution to these problems. That is why the United Nations declared a Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (Ocean Decade) 2021 2030.
