Ottawa, Ontario – From coast to coast to coast, Canadians have signaled their strong passion for protecting the fish and fish habitat that play such a vital role in our environment, our communities and our livelihoods. Today, the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard announced amendments to the Fisheries Act that would restore lost protections and incorporate modern safeguards to protect our fish and their habitat for generations to come.

The Government of Canada is putting in place better rules to protect our environment. The proposed amendments introduced today would restore the protections to all fish and fish habitats that were lost with changes that were made in 2012. Proposed changes would also put in place new modern safeguards to help our communities by better managing projects, enhancing marine protection and allowing the sustainable use of our resources while protecting them for our future.

The government will invest up to $284.2 million to support restoring lost protections to fish and incorporating modern safeguards.

As part of the Government of Canada’s Review of Environmental and Regulatory Processes, the Government of Canada is restoring protections and rebuilding trust. Fisheries and Oceans Canada consulted broadly, hearing from thousands of Canadians, to ensure changes to the Act focus on the areas that matter most to Canadians. The new Fisheries Act reflects what we heard from two rounds of online public consultations, over a hundred meetings with partners, stakeholders and Indigenous groups, and recommendations from the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans.

Photo legend: The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, announces amendments to the Fisheries Act that would restore lost protections and incorporate modern safeguards to protect our fish and their habitat for generations to come.

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Quotes

“To preserve, protect and help restore our environment we need a Fisheries Act that Canadians can trust. Today, I am pleased we are introducing amendments to the Fisheries Act that will restore the protections for fish and fish habitat that were lost under the previous government. We are responding to calls from Canadians who told us clearly that the health of our fish and ecosystems is important to them, and that they want us to protect and rebuild fish habitat. By restoring lost protections and incorporating modern safeguards, we are creating a Fisheries Act for the future to preserve our precious resources for generations to come.”

The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, P.C., Q.C., M.P., Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

Quick Facts

• The proposed amendments would:

• restore lost protections by returning to comprehensive protection against harming  all fish and fish habitat;
  

• strengthen the role of Indigenous peoples in project reviews, monitoring and policy development;
  

• recognize that decisions can be guided by principles of sustainability, precaution and ecosystem management;
  

• promote restoration of degraded habitat and rebuilding of depleted fish stocks;
  

• allow for the better management of large and small projects impacting fish and fish habitat through a new permitting framework and codes of practice;
  

• create full transparency for projects with a public registry;

• create new fisheries management tools to enhance the protection of fish and ecosystems;
  

• strengthen the long-term protection of marine refuges for biodiversity;
  

• help ensure that the economic benefits of fishing remain with the licence holders and their community by providing clear ability to enshrine current inshore fisheries policies into regulations; and
  

• clarify and modernize enforcement powers to address emerging fisheries issues and to align with current provisions in other legislation.
  

Related Products

• Comparing proposed changes

Associated Links

• A Fisheries Act for the future

Contacts

Vincent Hughes
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
613‑992‑3474
Vincent.Hughes@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
613-990-7537
Media.xncr@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

NR-HQ-18-06E

Internet: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca

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Moncton, New Brunswick – Canada’s commitment to protecting the North Atlantic Right Whale was front and centre at a roundtable meeting led by the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard.

Minister LeBlanc met with representatives from fishing organizations, marine transportation industries, cruise lines, ferry associations, Indigenous peoples, whale experts and scientists, as well as the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), to discuss concrete actions which can be taken to better protect the right whale in Canadian waters.

This roundtable is just one part of a comprehensive approach to ensure these marine mammals are protected for future generations.

Moving forward, the Government of Canada will work with partners on many of the specific proposals that were discussed throughout the day, which include:

•      Actively exploring opportunities to adjust existing fishing gear immediately to reduce the risk of entanglements.
•      Testing new gear technologies that would reduce the amount of rope in the water and lower the risk of whale entanglements.
•      Adjusting fishing seasons to avoid periods when right whales congregate.
•      Implementing measures to reduce lost fishing gear that poses a risk to whales and other species.
•      Enhancing whale sighting and detection information, and timely sharing of this information among all those concerned.
•      Considering seasonal speed restrictions in target areas and adjustments to shipping lanes based on accurate and timely whale sightings information.
•      Improving the collaboration and coordination across industry sectors, governments and non-governmental organizations to leverage the expertise on the protection and recovery of the North Atlantic Right Whale.

The collective expertise gathered in this forum and the proposed actions will help inform government policy on reducing the impacts of human activity on right whales and to protecting our waters and marine life for generations to come.

Quotes

“Everyone around the table understood the urgency of this situation, and the need to take concrete actions to protect the North Atlantic Right Whale. Having experts, industry representatives, scientists and Indigenous communities participate in these meetings brings a more diverse and complete understanding of the situation. This discussion was profoundly helpful in assessing the long-term options available to our government. We will work quickly to ensure the survival and recovery of this iconic species.”
The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, P.C., Q.C., M.P., Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

Quick Facts

• The roundtable meeting stems from an unprecedented 12 North Atlantic Right Whale deaths in the Gulf of St. Lawrence from June to September 2017.
  

• The Government of Canada’s $1.5 billion investment in the Oceans Protection Plan includes measures that will address threats to marine mammals in Canadian waters and enhance capacity to respond to marine mammal incidents.
  

• In summer 2017, Canadians were invited to share their views through the Let’s Talk Whales consultation aimed at helping the recovery of the North Atlantic Right Whale, the St. Lawrence Estuary Beluga and the Southern Resident Killer Whale. Almost 20,000 people participated and contributed over 200 ideas in response to the question “How can we, as Canadians, take action now to reduce impacts on at-risk whales and help their recovery?”
  

Associated Links

• Let’s Talk Whales
• North Atlantic Right Whale profile

Contacts

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
613-990-7537
Media.xncr@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Laura Gareau
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada 
613-992-3474 
Laura.Gareau@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

NR-HQ-17-41E

Internet: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca 

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St. Andrews, NB - The Government of Canada is committed to using scientific evidence to inform marine management decisions. Investments in science will help protect our oceans and ensure that our fisheries and aquaculture sectors provide meaningful employment for Canadians for generations to come.

The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard today announced that the Government of Canada continues to implement investments of $8.9 million at the St. Andrews Biological Station, Atlantic Canada’s oldest marine research facility. The investments continue to focus on upgrades to the laboratories to support ocean science research and improve the building’s accessibility, safety and security. 

Minister LeBlanc also announced that 15 new scientists, biologists, hydrographers and other science professionals will be located at the Station. These new employees will support healthy fish stocks and ecosystems, and sustainable aquaculture. They will also do important work to help protect our marine environments and communities from the potential effects of oil spills and day-to-day vessel operations.

Some of these new employees will be hired under the $1.5 billion Oceans Protection Plan, which will improve marine safety and responsible shipping, and protect Canada’s coastal habitats, ecosystems and marine species. Others will be hired under the $197.1 million Budget 2016 investment in ocean and freshwater sciences.

Through the Oceans Protection Plan and Budget 2016 investments, Fisheries and Oceans Canada is hiring 254 science professionals across the country.

Photo legend: The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard announced funding in support of scientific research and 15 new science positions at the St. Andrews Biological Station.

Quotes

“The St. Andrews Biological Station has made significant contributions to marine science since 1908, and our government is pleased to be investing in improved infrastructure and in rebuilding DFO’s scientific capacity. Our investment in infrastructure and science staff will ensure that this facility can continue to conduct world-class scientific research for many years to come.”

The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

“The St. Andrews Biological Station is recognized as a world-class research facility. Further investment in infrastructure and new scientific staff signals our government’s strong commitment to both science and economic growth in the region. We are already seeing a marine industry cluster develop around this centre and that will continue to grow with today’s announcement.”

Karen Ludwig, Member of Parliament, New Brunswick Southwest

 

Quick Facts

• Founded in 1908, the St. Andrews Biological Station conducts scientific studies focussed on the Bay of Fundy and Gulf of Maine, as well as regional coastal ecosystems and traditional fisheries. A large portion of research is done in collaboration with universities, environmental groups, and the aquaculture and fishing industries.
  

• The infrastructure upgrades are funded under the Federal Infrastructure Fund.
  

Contacts

Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
613-990-7537
Media.xncr@dfo-mpo.gc.ca 

Laura Gareau
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
613-992-3474
Laura.Gareau@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

NR-MAR-17-05E

Internet: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
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WATCH ABOVE: A key component of the aquaculture sector in New Brunswick is receiving millions of dollars in government funding to go toward two projects. As Global's Andrew Cromwell reports officials believe it will result in more business and new jobs.

Reader’s Corner

Harbour water safe only on the surface

Not surprisingly, there is renewed interest in Halifax Harbor for recreational fishing and swimming (The Chronicle Herald, recent articles). Sewage and other household effluents produced by HRM residents undergo advanced primary treatment before entering the harbor.  Storm water overflows after severe rain events are not always treated.  But overall, harbor water quality appears to have improved – waters are clearer and visible surface sludge is rare. 

But a word of caution is apt. Despite earlier studies, there is no ongoing monitoring of harbor water, sediment and fish tissue(s) to ensure the safety of citizens. The data publically available for comprehensive health risk assessments of fishing and swimming are severely limited or out of date.  

Federal departments (Fisheries and Oceans, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Health Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada) should be conducting such monitoring and assessments but apparently do not, despite their respective responsibilities.  As well, the Province and HRM do cursory monitoring, if at all.  

Occasional single-point monitoring of fecal coliform bacteria is inadequate for meaningful health risk assessments. Water masses are highly variable in space and time, and contaminated bottom sediments sometimes mix with sub-surface waters that contact fish and swimmers.  In the absence of on-going reliable data on levels of chemical contaminants in local fish tissue (e.g., mercury, lead, plasticizers, oil constituents) and levels of water-borne pathogens (e.g., bacteria, viruses, parasites), safe conditions may be illusory.   

Hence, several actions seem prudent.  If you fish, eat what you catch sparingly, avoid bottom feeders and practise catch and release. If you swim, avoid ingesting the water, and wash well afterwards.  Most important, contact your government representatives and demand renewed comprehensive monitoring programs. Harbor waters deserve timely, evidence-based protection if fishing and swimming are to proceed safely.

Peter Wells

Halifax, NS.