B.C. Pacific fishery reform plan fails to protect salmon stocks

April 14, 2005 -

VANCOUVER – The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Plan of Action to reform the Pacific salmon fishery finally acknowledges the need for reform within the department – but is not comprehensive enough to ensure the long-term viability of B.C. salmon and the fisheries that depend on them, says the David Suzuki Foundation.

“What we’re looking at today is a subtle policy shift – not a plan to ensure a robust salmon fishery for future generations,” says Bill Wareham, acting director of marine conservation with the David Suzuki Foundation. “Conservation and salmon population recovery initiatives – which should be the primary objective of any action plan – are not prominent in this plan.”

Mr. Wareham says the primary flaw in the Plan of Action is that its commitment to conservation is based on the 2005 Wild Salmon Policy (WSP) – a policy which itself is weak and as yet, not ratified. The WSP makes inadequate provisions for conservation, application of the ‘precautionary principle,’ does not recognize the ecosystem value of ‘habitat,’ doesn’t set out adequate harvest rules and does nothing to recognize the biological and economic risks of salmon farms.

“Any plan to ensure a socially and economically vibrant fishery must start with a stronger commitment to conservation initiatives that have real financial support behind them,” says Mr. Wareham. “DFO’s primary focus should be on how to conserve salmon and protect their habitat – not on their economic value.”

Mr. Wareham says that today’s announcement recognizes that DFO, in its current state, is unable to adequately manage Pacific fish stocks. However, the action plan itself lacks detail. “The Department simply must put conservation first – and follow this commitment up with funding – before we see another season of collapsing salmon runs,” he says.

In the meantime, a more precautionary approach is needed. “This plan talks too much about how to catch the fish we have left, rather than about how to rebuild fish stocks and secure critical habitat,” says Wareham.

For more information, contact:

Bill Wareham
Acting Director, Marine Conservation
David Suzuki Foundation
(604) 740-4318