Canada is taking action to further strengthen the long-term sustainability and prosperity of our fisheries
OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Oct 26, 2016) - The Government of Canada listened to Canadians and is taking action to improve the management of our fisheries to ensure healthy fish stocks for future generations and making that information public.
Today at Oceana Canada's Science Symposium in Ottawa, the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard announced that the government is following through on its commitment to be more transparent by making detailed information about Canada's major fish stocks and fisheries available to the public. The results of our annual Sustainability Survey for Fisheries are online for the first time, so Canadians can now monitor the progress we are making on managing 159 of our key fish stocks.
In addition, because of new investment in oceans and freshwater science, the department is receiving an additional $24 million each year that will be devoted exclusively to science activities that support healthy fish stocks. This enables the department to do more stock assessments on commercial species and species at risk.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada is also building new, important partnerships with academia, environmental groups, and other organizations to ensure that we have the best available science to support our decisions. For example, the department is providing more than half a million dollars to Ocean Networks Canada to organize its Pacific fisheries, mammal and ocean data. The pilot project supports open science, with the end goal of making our data more accessible and user-friendly for stakeholders, academia and Canadians.
Quote
"We have already taken concrete steps to improve how we manage our fisheries and to make our information more accessible to the public. We are making progress-but there's still a lot more work to do. I strongly believe in the important role played by our environmental partners, such as Oceana Canada. Together, we can work to ensure Canada's fisheries thrive for generations to come."
The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
Quick Facts
The Sustainability Survey for Fisheries consists of 17 questions on various aspects of fisheries management for 159 major fish stocks ranging from stock status and bycatch to lost gear and species at risk.
The funding for Ocean Networks Canada (more than half a million dollars) comes from a new $5 million Partnership Fund as part of the Budget 2016 investment of $197.1 million in ocean and freshwater science. The Partnership Fund aims to support and leverage new partnerships and collaborations within Canada's ocean and freshwater science community, which will enhance our ability to make informed, evidence-based decisions on priority issues.
The $24 million/year comes out of the Budget 2016 investment of $197.1 million in ocean and freshwater science. This funding allows for more ecosystems research and improved stock assessments on commercial species and species at risk, including marine mammals and Atlantic and Pacific Salmon, which will provide information for sustainable fisheries management.
Associated Links
Sustainability Survey for Fisheries
Internet: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
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