Fishing In Canada Essay

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Canada has the world’s longest coastline and three oceans border it. Moreover it has an abundance of freshwater and supports various aquatic flora and fauna. Canada’s fishing industry is a substantial contributor to the economy and is a large source of jobs for Canadians. But fish extend beyond just being a food source for families and are apart of many valued recreational activities and opportunities. The tourism industry across Canada is dependent on fish-bearing waters and fish are also central to many First Nation communities, holding culture and spiritual significance. This is why protecting Canada’s fish, waterways and oceans is paramount (Ecojustice 2013). Canadian Fisheries and resources are managed through the Fisheries Act and it …show more content…

In my opinion all these recommendations cover important changes that need to be made since, the amendments to the Fisheries Act by the Stephen Harper government through Bill C-38 resulted in an overall weakening of the act. I believe that recommendations one, two and eighteen should be top priority changes that are essential to rectifying the detrimental issues caused across Canada.

Recommendation one states that section 35(1) of the Fisheries Act be returned to its original wording of, “ No person shall carry on any work or undertaking that results in the harmful alteration, disruption or destruction of fish habitat”(House of Commons 2017). The restoration of this provision also known as HADD is the most vital recommendation that needs to be amended. This will ensure that a protection measure is in place for fish habitat protection; because if there is no habitat then there is no fish. The original provision that contained and did not allow HADD was removed by the amendments outlined in Bill C-38 and was replaced with a new prohibition that opposed causing “ serious harm to fish” (Minister of Justice 2018). According to the

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