A proposed overhaul of the 138-year-old Fisheries Act was tabled in the Canadian House of Commons yesterday by the Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans.
The new Act would modernise the way fisheries are managed, and enshrine conservation measures that protect the aquatic ecosystems to ensure long-term sustainable fisheries for Canadian commercial, Aboriginal and recreational fishers.
Highlights of the bill include: expanded roles for fishery participants in decision making; the adoption of clear principles dedicated to sustainable development; and a new sanctions system to be called the Canada Fisheries Tribunal that is aimed at promoting more responsible fishing behaviour.
"The current Fisheries Act was enacted in 1868 and it is still powerful and effective in some regards. But everyone agrees it’s showing its age," Minister Hearn said. "The Act was in place before British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and the North were part of Canada. Canadian industry has changed over the past century while the Fisheries Act has not. Science has made huge progress, while the Act stayed the same. Now is the time to get it right."
The bill stems from extensive cross-country consultations and discussions. Earlier this autumn, provincial and territorial fisheries ministers unanimously urged the federal government to table legislation that recognises their important role in fisheries management, and which provides greater stability, transparency and predictability in fishery access and allocation.
Most importantly, the new Act reaffirms and strengthens the cornerstone of the original Fisheries Act, which is the conservation and protection of fish and fish habitat.
Previous consultations showed the popularity of an arms-length administrative tribunal for dealing with fishery licence infractions. Composed of fisheries experts, the tribunal would deal with offenders in a manner that is faster and more efficient than the potentially slower and more expensive court system. The tribunal could deal with issues such as the exceeding of quotas or catching undersized fish.
An expanded ticketing system in coastal fisheries – like driving fines for speeding – would also be handled by the tribunal. Poaching, offences against fish habitat and infractions in inland fisheries would remain in the court system.
"We need more clout to deal with people who step out of line. Cheaters need to know they could have their licences revoked by the new tribunal," Minister Hearn said.
