It is estimated that more than eight million metric tons of plastic end up in the oceans each year. These products never actually break down, except into smaller and smaller pieces that endanger marine life, pollute ecosystems and litter our beaches. Fishing nets and other fishing gear also contain several kinds of plastic, and abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear causes catastrophic impacts on wildlife and marine environments. This “ghost gear” continues to entangle wildlife for many decades, impacting species at risk and the prosperity of our fisheries.
Today, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, announced that the Atlantic Science Enterprise Centre (ASEC) is launching a public lecture series.
The Government of Canada is committed to protecting and recovering aquatic species at risk, to the benefit of Canada’s biodiversity and local communities that rely on our natural resources.
The Southern Resident Killer Whale is an iconic species that faces significant threats to its survival and recovery. These threats relate to: lack of availability of prey (mainly Chinook salmon); acoustic (noise) and physical disturbance from marine vessels; and contaminants in the water.
Today, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, spoke to provincial business leaders at Vancouver Island’s Economic Alliance Annual Summit in Nanaimo. The Minister reiterated the importance of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement on trade as an engine of growth and prosperity for businesses, workers, and communities on Vancouver Island and across British Columbia.
Today the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and Natan Obed, President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) announced the creation of a stand-alone Arctic Region inclusive of the four regions of Inuit Nunangat for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) and the Canadian Coast Guard.
Canada is home to the longest coastline in the entire world – and this resource creates jobs and sustains livelihoods across our country. In the province of Nova Scotia, one in every five jobs is linked to the ocean. Healthy oceans mean a healthy, thriving and growing Canadian economy.
The Government of Canada and the Province of Prince Edward Island announced a total contribution of $732,645 to eight shellfish growers and processing companies for new equipment and technologies to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness to support their expanding operations. The contribution derives from the $400 million Atlantic Fisheries Fund, jointly funded by the federal and provincial governments, and focuses on increasing opportunities and market value for sustainably sourced, high-quality fish and seafood products from Atlantic Canada.
