From wholesale closure of the cod fishery on the East coast resulting in losses to 27,000 northern cod fishers and the diminished work capacity of up to 100 processing plants to the millions of ‘missing’ sockeye on the Fraser River leading to fishery restrictions and closure, the continuing collapse of fish stocks puts the culture, livelihoods and ecological heritage of many people across Canada in jeopardy.
If this trend continues, in 50 years there won’t be any fish in Canada’s oceans and waters. Many more communities will suffer through job loss.
“This is obviously an issue important to Canadians and yet those on the front lines with Fisheries and Oceans don’t have the resources to protect and rebuild the stocks,” said William Pynn UEW National President.
“We will not only lose a key economic sector and part of our heritage, but when you remove an activity as basic to the Canadian way of life as going fishing, there will be tremendous impact on quality of life.”
This is an issue important to Canadians. Read what they have to say.
What can Canadians do about this? Send a message to government urging more funding for the protection and enhancement of Canada’s fish stocks.
