Editor's note: The Marine Matters newsletter has been renamed "Marine Scene". We hope you like it.
Read on for the latest aquatic news and find out how you can help our oceans.
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New government report reveals Canada’s oceans are at risk
On September 29, Johanne Gelinas, Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, made her ninth status report to parliament. Ms. Gelinas revealed that Canada’s oceans are at risk. Declining fish stocks, pollution, invasive species and reductions in both biodiversity and productivity continue to threaten Canada’s oceans. While Canada became the first country in the world to enact oceans management legislation in 1996, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada has not lived up to the Act and has done little to protect Canada’s water resources. No ocean management plans have been finalized and little progress has been made in establishing marine protected areas. In addition, Canada was one of the first countries to sign the conservation-based Biodiversity Treaty in 1992, but there is still no coherent plan to implement it. The David Suzuki Foundation says it’s time for Canada to regain its position as a world leader in oceans management. |
Did you know that many marine species including fish, shrimp, shellfish and many types of coral-reef can change their sex? They have an amazing ability to morph between genders. Whether it’s due to the loss of a mate or it’s to signify a certain life stage, sex transformations are not uncommon in water habitats.
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Read the Auditor General’s full report
Sustainability within a Generation: A new vision for Canada clearly outlines solutions to Canada’s environmental challenges.
An Assessment of Fisheries and Ocean’s Pacific Region’s Effectiveness in Meetings it Conservation Mandate (421 KB) examines ways to improve the performance of Fisheries and Oceans Canada
New website helps people protect salmon habitat in their communities
The David Suzuki Foundation and the Sierra Club of Canada, B.C. Chapter, have teamed up to create Salmonopolis.ca, a new website that links up volunteer-based salmon conservation groups throughout B.C. Salmonopolis.ca enables salmon stewards to share resources and connect with local and national organizations to better protect salmon habitat. The website offers expert opinions on salmon issues, information on how to get funding, tips on how to deal with the media, advocacy resources, and it provides a step-by-step guide on how to report a fisheries violation.
B.C. forest practices continue to damage salmon habitat
Our recent investigation of logging practices in British Columbia’s Kalum Forest District has found many apparent violations of the Fisheries Act. In May of this year, Suzuki Foundation biologists conducted a series of watershed inspections in the forest region near Terrace in order to assess the impact of recent and historic logging on fish habitat. Field staff noted inadequate drainage systems, road surface erosion and landslide debris within stream channels. All of the problems pose a serious threat to the survival of salmon. Although the findings were reported to the B.C. Ministry of Forests and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), little has been done to address the issues.
To learn more, check out Taking Stock of British Columbia’s Fish Habitat: A report on the Kalum Forest District
Sea lice threaten pink and chum salmon stocks
It’s time for the government of B.C to provide a safe migration route for salmon by stopping the expansion of open-net cage fish farms and shift the existing facilities into closed tanks. Recent estimates of pink and chum salmon in the Broughton Archipelago show another year of significantly reduced returns are likely. Sea lice has been determined to be a major contributor to the problem, with fish farms being responsible for the overwhelming increase in sea lice. Sea lice are parasites that attach to the skin of fish and feed off all parts of the fish. The lice degrades fish health, increases susceptibility to disease and makes sick fish easy targets for predators. In order for next year’s pink salmon to have a fighting chance, the government must order net cages be emptied by January 2006. If you’re concerned about this issue, e-mail B.C. Minister of Agriculture and Lands Pat Bell at al.minister@gov.bc.ca and ask him to take action.
To learn more, check out the Farmed and Dangerous website at: www.farmedanddangerous.org
Smart seafood
Confused about which type of fish to choose at your favourite restaurant or grocery store? We can help you make an informed decision.
Chilean seabass should be avoided. These fish dwell in the frigid oceans near Antarctica, where “pirate” fishing is taking a serious toll on their population. Unethical fishermen are defying legal limits and taking up to ten times their fair share. Given the sheer size of the Antarctic, authorities are having a difficult time tracking down the offenders. Chilean seabass are also caught using bottom trawls or longlines and both methods are problematic. Bottom trawling can damage habitat on the seafloor, and longlines end up pulling in a bycatch of birds that includes endangered albatross populations. (source: Monterey Bay guide seafood watch)
Farmed tilapia that are raised in closed containment facilities are a wise choice. These fish are native to North Africa, but they are now farmed around the world. The hardy, freshwater fish are easy to raise because they are adaptable to various conditions. In North America, most tilapia are farmed inland with systems that have little impact on the environment. Tilapia feed on mostly vegetable-based foods, so they make less of an impact on global fish stocks. The mild-tasting white tilapia fillets are available fresh or frozen. You can get farm-raised tilapia in live tanks at some Asian restaurants.
Clarification notice from the Marine Scene team
Last month, we told you about an eco-friendly method of fish harvesting called longlining. While longlining does result in less bycatch and less habitat damage, it’s important to distinguish between bottom longlining and pelagic longlining. Bottom longlining is relatively sustainable, but the pelagic method (also known as mid-water longlining) pulls in more bycatch and damages marine mammal populations including sea turtles, sharks and migratory sea birds.
Read about the David Suzuki Foundation's new vision for Canada: Sustainability within a generation
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