The Canadian Coast Guard along with Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) are launching a multi-national effort to stop illegal fishing practices taking place at high seas.
Illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing practices are believed to be a major contributor to declining fish populations which impacts BC’s beloved Southern Resident Orca populations as well.
“Pacific salmon is vital to the food security, cultures, and economies of numerous First Nations, as well as the livelihoods of thousands of workers in rural and coastal communities in British Columbia and Yukon,” said Joyce Murray, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard.
“As fish are not bound by borders, we must take decisive action to safeguard these species.”
The mission’s scope will be to enter into the Indo-Pacific region of the Pacific Ocean where DFO officers along with both the Canadian and United States Coast Guards will patrol and inspect ongoing IUU operations to ensure compliance with set regulations for fishing at high seas.
Oftentimes IUU fishing operations use ‘driftnets,’ which are banned under international law and outlawed by the United Nations as well. The DFO officers on this mission will be patrolling over 28 million square kilometres trying to identify and end driftnet fishing and other IUU practices.
DFO officers will also collect data on the environment and different species migration patterns, which will include Pacific Salmon.
“This high seas enforcement operation will assist in the rebuilding efforts we are undertaking domestically,” said Murray. “I wish the fishery officers, Coast Guard personnel, and crew a safe and successful journey and thank them for their efforts in curbing illegal fishing activities.”
Atlantic Towing, who have offices in Victoria, will be providing the mission with a specialized vessel capable of towing any ship found to be illegally fishing. They are the Canadian Coast Guard’s official emergency vessel towing provider.
This mission has an investment of $46 million over the next five years. The DFO say this mission will officially begin in the fall of 2023.
