OTTAWA, ON--(Marketwired - October 26, 2016) - Today, at Oceana Canada's symposium, Rebuilding Abundance: Restoring Canada's Fisheries for Long-Term Prosperity, the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, announced that his department has released key information on the status of Canadian fish stocks, sharing the results of an annual Sustainability Survey for Fisheries, and investing additional funds to increase science capacity.
"We applaud the Minister's commitment to transparency -- sharing a clear picture of how our fish populations are doing will allow the government to make responsible decisions based on science, and allow all Canadians to assess progress in rebuilding our fisheries," said Josh Laughren, Executive Director, Oceana Canada. "Researchers and environmental organizations have been calling on the government to release this information for years. This provides an important foundation for rebuilding Canada's fish stocks and creating a sustainable fishing industry for generations to come."
A recent Oceana Canada report revealed that the health of 45 per cent of Canada's fish stocks cannot be determined due to lack of data. Without a clear understanding of the health of Canada's major fish stocks, it's impossible to assess if decisions are being based on science. The commitment from Minister LeBlanc will help all Canadians contribute to building a sustainable fishing industry, for the benefit of Canadian communities.
The results of the Sustainability Survey for Fisheries are now online for the first time, allowing Canadians to monitor the health and progress of 154 of Canada's commercial fish stocks. Additionally, the new investment will include a commitment of $24 million per year, which will be devoted exclusively to science activities that support healthy fish stocks.
"The Oceana Canada symposium will highlight important insights from leading experts in science and fisheries management," says Laughren. "We are excited to use this knowledge and the released information from the government to build a vision for sustainable and prosperous Canadian fisheries."
For more information on the symposium, including the full program and roster of experts, please visit oceana.ca/RebuildingAbundance.
About Oceana Canada
Oceana Canada was established in 2015 as an independent charity and is part of the largest international group dedicated solely to ocean conservation. Canada has the longest coastline in the world, with an ocean surface area of 7.1 million square kilometres, or 70 per cent of its landmass. Oceana Canada believes that we have an obligation to our country, and the world, to manage our natural resources responsibly and provide a sustainable source of protein for a growing world.
Oceana Canada works with civil society, academics, fishers and government to return Canada's formerly vibrant oceans to health and abundance. By restoring Canada's oceans, we can strengthen our communities, reap greater economic and nutritional benefits, and protect our future. To learn more, please visit www.oceana.ca.
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