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ByPacific Marine Conservation Caucus
Pacific Marine Conservation Caucus logo floats beside a killer whale.
February 29, 2012 03:19:54
Posted By Trish Hall

The federal government is modernizing Canada’s commercial fisheries. Today, Minister Keith Ashfield announced he will extend the period of online consultation on modernizing Canada’s fisheries until March 14, 2012. The period of consultation will be extended to encourage further collaboration and to ensure that voices of fish harvesters are heard. Increasing operating costs and competition from abroad are just some of the impacts being felt by this industry. The department is looking for input from Canadians on how Fisheries and Oceans Canada can help Canada’s fisheries be more competitive and prosperous.

DFO invites Canadians to visit http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca to find out more about fisheries modernization and to provide their input.
February 17, 2012 11:28:28
Posted By Trish Hall

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is seeking feedback their approach to fisheries modernization in order to consider it in future policy development.

Until February 29, 2012, visit Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s website (www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca) to review their discussion document, draft policies and presentations related to the renewal and modernization of commercial fisheries management in Canada, and provide your comments and views. Topics include:

  • Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s long-term approach to commercial fisheries management through the stabilization of sharing arrangements and the use of multi-year Integrated Fisheries Management Plans (IFMPs) based on multi-year science advice;
  • The new Draft Policy Framework on Managing Bycatch and Discards, and background on two new sustainability tools: the Precautionary Approach Framework Rebuilding Plan Guidelines and the Benthic Ecological Risk Analysis Framework, and how they are to be used.
  • How to realize a nationally consistent approach to fisheries management which includes a streamlined set of rules and management measures in order create a business environment conducive to economic prosperity in the 21st century.

You may provide feedback on the online form at www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca or by emailing DFO at.
February 6, 2012 02:07:57
Posted By Trish Hall

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) would like to invite you to provide comments on the draft Action Plan for Nooksack Dace and Salish Sucker. These two freshwater fish species are listed as “Endangered” under the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA). As the two species face similar threats, DFO has developed a draft action plan for both species that identifies actions to support their recovery.

Nooksack Dace can be found in the Brunette River, Bertrand Creek, Fishtrap Creek and Pepin Brook watersheds in Canada. Salish Sucker can be found in the Salwein Creek/Hopedale Slough, Atchelitz /Chilliwack /Semmihault Creek, Elk Creek / Hope Slough, Bertrand Creek, Fishtrap Creek, Pepin Brook, Salmon River, Mountain Slough, Agassiz Slough and Miami Creek watersheds.

The draft Action Plan will be available online at www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/saraconsultations for you to review and provide comments between February 6 and March 12, 2012.

If you are unable to access the draft action plan online, please email or call 604-658-2757 to request a hard copy.

DFO will be holding consultation sessions for representatives from government agencies, municipalities, agriculture, industry, First Nations, stewardship groups and other interested groups on the following dates.

Local government session
February 20
12:30 – 5 pm
Coast Hotel
45920 First Ave
Chilliwack

Stewardship and industry session
February 21
8 am – 12:30 pm
Coast Hotel
45920 First Ave
Chilliwack

Brunette watershed session
February 22
8 am – 12:30 pm Executive Plaza Hotel
405 North Road
Coquitlam

Agriculture session
February 27
8 am – 12:30 pm
Coast Hotel
45920 First Ave
Chilliwack

If you are interested in attending one of these sessions, please email or contact us at 604-658-2757 by February 15, 2012 to RSVP.

DFO will also be holding drop-in Open House sessions on the draft action plan for landowners and members of the public on the following dates.

Burnaby
February 23
Drop in from 6–9 pm
Stoney Creek School
2740 Beaverbrook Crescent

Harrison Hot Springs
February 28
Drop in from 6-9 pm
Ramada Hotel
190 Lillooet Ave

Chilliwack
February 29
Drop in from 6 – 9 pm
Coast Hotel
45920 First Ave

Aldergrove
March 1
Drop in from 6 – 9 pm
Langley Banquet Centre
3227 – 264 St
February 2, 2012 12:39:38
Posted By Trish Hall

The expert-panel report for the Royal Society of Canada Sustaining Canada’s Marine Biodiversity: Responding to the Challenges Posed by Climate Change, Fisheries, and Aquaculture was released today and contained the following main messages:

  • Canada sees itself as a world leader in ocean management, but we have failed to meet most of our national and international commitments to protect marine biodiversity.
  • Canada lags behind other modernized nations in almost every aspect of fisheries management. Despite pledges on conservation and sound policies, Fisheries and Oceans has generally done a poor job of managing fish stocks, planning for whole ecosystems and protecting marine biodiversity.
  • The government should act to review and rewrite outdated statutes, take rapid action on national and international commitments, curtail the discretionary powers of the minister of Fisheries and Oceans and move to limit regulatory conflict in that department.
  • Canada needs national operational objectives to protect and restore natural diversity and to rebuild depleted populations and species. Improving and protecting ocean health will restore the natural resilience of Canada’s marine ecosystems to adapt in response to the challenges posed by climate change and other human activities.

Also see the The Vancouver Sun article Canada must act decisively to protect marine biodiversity: report, for more information on this new report.
Categories: Conservation News

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