Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing deprives the international economy of billions of dollars and undermines the livelihoods of legitimate fish harvesters, both in Canada and abroad. It impacts food security, affecting millions of people, including many vulnerable coastal communities. Combatting global IUU fishing through international partnerships is a priority identified at the G7 Leaders’ Summit in June 2018 hosted by Canada in Charlevoix, Québec, and at the first Sustainable Blue Economy Conference in Nairobi, Kenya, which Canada co-hosted with Kenya and Japan in November 2018. That is why Canada’s fishery officers are on the front lines against IUU fishing.
Today, on UN International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, launched his #OceansCampus Tour to discuss the health of our oceans, biodiversity loss, innovative economic opportunities and the important role that science plays in the development of public policy with students in British Columbia across the country.
Plastic pollution is harming our oceans, lakes and rivers. With more than eight million metric tonnes of plastic ending up in the oceans each year, it is important for all of us – governments, organizations, communities and every individual to take action.
From January 28-30, 2019, Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS) conducted a meeting to review scientific evidence and to provide science advice on the risk to Fraser River sockeye salmon due to Piscine Orthoreovirus (PRV) transfer from Atlantic salmon farms located in the Discovery Islands area, British Columbia. This peer-review process is a recommendation of the Cohen Commission.
Over the past two years, the Government of Canada has put in place measures to protect North Atlantic right whales. We continue our commitment toward protecting our endangered whales, and strengthening the economy.
With the longest coastline in the world, Canada’s coastal communities rely on the fish and seafood industry as an integral contributor to local and regional economies. This is why the Government of Canada and the Province of New Brunswick today announced funding support to five organizations through the Atlantic Fisheries Fund.
Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson and the New Brunswick Minister of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries, the Honourable Ross Wetmore, discussed common priorities during their first in-person meeting on Saturday, January 19, 2019.
Today, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, and Minister of National Revenue and Member of Parliament for Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine, the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, met with Ghyslain Cyr, President of the Administration portuaire du havre de pêche de L'Étang-du-Nord, in L’Étang-du-Nord, Îles-de-la-Madeleine to discuss recent repairs that have been made to this essential fishing harbour and visit the port.
As part of its commitment to ensuring that economic progress and environmental sustainability go hand in hand, the Government of Canada has and will continue to partner with ocean scientists, academics, nongovernmental organizations, coastal communities, Indigenous groups and industry to deepen knowledge of our oceans and how best to protect them. The Government of Canada recognizes the environmental, economic and recreational importance of our oceans. Sustainable management of our oceans and ocean resources requires that we continually advance our scientific understanding of these great water bodies, and the Government of Canada is committed to giving scientists the resources they need.
