fish4all
Well-Known Member
I did a bit of cut and paste to try and focus on BC. The full platform is on the Federal Conservatives site. If someone wants to find the other parties platform and post that would be great. Personally I haven’t like what I’ve seen over the last few years.
Fisheries Conservation and Community
Canada’s fishing communities feel beset by crisis. Many critical stocks are in trouble, new conflicts are arising, and many whose livelihoods are made on the water are feeling ignored and excluded. Resource users, whether Indigenous or non-Indigenous, commercial, or recreational, are feeling frustrated. They want to leave well-managed, sustainable fisheries to future generations, yet they are now more divided than ever and fearful for their future. There is no reason for this. What is needed now is unity in a common purpose: restoring and maintaining healthy stocks that support commercial, recreational, and cultural fisheries.
A Conservative government will restore calm and confidence to Canada’s fisheries sector by respecting the importance of all resource users and putting conservation first.
To do this, we will:
• Prioritize stock assessments, stock recovery planning and enforcement of science-based catch limits because these have been shown to be the most important predictors of well-managed fisheries. We will also ensure that stock recovery plans incorporate climate change risks.
• Strengthen the role of advisory bodies in fisheries management to enhance cooperation between resource users and ensure that commercial, recreational, and cultural fishers can all have confidence in management decisions.
• Work collaboratively with Indigenous rights-holders and commercial harvesters to develop management plans which fulfill the rights recognized in the Marshall decisions, protect the sustainability of our fisheries, and ensure that coastal communities can continue to thrive.
• Improve the Marine Protected Area (MPA) designation processes by: ° Ensuring that MPAs are focused on contributing to the sustainability of critical stocks; ° Restoring meaningful public consultation to the MPA process; and ° Exploring the feasibility of new models, such as dynamic MPAs, that will improve climate change resiliency.
• Work with stakeholders, First Nations, and regional jurisdictions to implement ecosystem-based fisheries management, including control of abundant predator populations which impact commercial and SARA-listed species.
• Update and strengthen DFO’s national aquatic invasive species program and ensure that the Aquatic Invasive Species Regulations are being implemented.
• Address illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, seafood fraud and ghost gear.
• Restore community-based conservation initiatives like the Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program, provide more support for hatcheries, and support public conservation education initiatives.
• Create a Canadian Seafood Development Agency to advance the sustainable growth of the sector ° The Agency will be responsible for developing a long-term strategy and sustainable growth plan in partnership with the provinces.
• Work with governments and communities in Nunatsiavut, Nunavut, Nunavik, and the Inuvialuit Settlement Region to develop community-based marine fisheries, which will help create employment and fight local and regional food insecurity.
A Conservative governmentwill provide sustainable funding for small craft harbours by doubling annual funding.
Pacific Salmon Strategy
The iconic Pacific salmon species are part of the fabric of life for communities throughout British Columbia and are an essential part of BC’s marine and freshwater ecosystems. While some stocks are robust, many are under threat. This has consequences for Indigenous peoples, coastal communities, and commercial and recreational fishers, as well as to the health of BC’s rivers and streams and to endangered populations like the Southern Resident Killer Whales. Building on the commitments already outlined above, we will develop a Pacific Salmon Strategy focused on making measurable progress toward restoring at-risk stocks.
This will include:
• Enforcing a strict timeline for the completion of stock assessments;
• Prioritizing funding for community-led habitat restoration or other projects that support at-risk stocks; • Ensuring the Salmonid Enhancement Program is sufficiently resourced to support at-risk stocks;
• Increasing support for and engagement with Indigenous- and community-led hatchery and enhancement projects;
• Implementing mass-marking programs at BC fish hatcheries and allowing mark-selective harvest of salmon in BC’s sport fishery, protecting sensitive fish populations while maintaining the health of BC’s public fishery;
• Creating a pinniped management plan that will address threats to at-risk stocks in a balanced way; and
• Identifying the likelihood of future threats due to climate change.
Aquaculture
The Conservative Party supports the sustainable development and growth of Canada’s world-leading aquaculture sector due to its ability to provide a solid economic base in coastal communities, create stable, long-term employment, and contribute to Canadian food security while succeeding as a leading Canadian export to global markets. Internationally, aquaculture is widely seen as an essential source of protein and a key component of improving global food security. Many shellfish and finfish species are grown throughout Canada, and many First Nations have pursued aquaculture as a business that can support their communities and provide meaningful work for their members. However, we also understand that salmon farming on Canada’s West Coast has been controversial and that local communities are confused and torn by conflicting studies and claims. Further, we know that decisions made here could have ripple effects on the East Coast as well. Conservatives will not take an ideological position on this issue. We want the aquaculture industry to succeed, but it is a simple fact that this sector can only grow as long as Canadians can have confidence in our ability to protect wild salmon. Therefore, any decisions related to salmon aquaculture must be based on robust science, guided by conservation, and be respectful of the communities and families that rely on these jobs.
To accomplish this, a Conservative government will:
• Maintain the decision to remove salmon farms from the Discovery Islands, but model the transition after the process that has been undertaken in the Broughton Archipelago to be more respectful of local First Nations, communities, and workers;
• Assign responsibility for the management and sustainable growth of the sector to a department other than DFO so that DFO can be solely focused on enforcement;
• Create a modern Aquaculture Act that can help restore public confidence;
• Ensure the roles of DFO and the CFIA are clearly defined in the National Aquatic Animal Health Program and adequately resourced;
• Strengthen monitoring requirements for salmon farms;
• Develop, in consultation with industry, First Nations, communities and other stakeholders, a comprehensive Salmon Aquaculture Management Strategy that addresses both the risks and opportunities of this sector; and
• Develop a tax incentive program for the development and adoption of technologies that reduce contact between wild and farmed salmon.
Fisheries Conservation and Community
Canada’s fishing communities feel beset by crisis. Many critical stocks are in trouble, new conflicts are arising, and many whose livelihoods are made on the water are feeling ignored and excluded. Resource users, whether Indigenous or non-Indigenous, commercial, or recreational, are feeling frustrated. They want to leave well-managed, sustainable fisheries to future generations, yet they are now more divided than ever and fearful for their future. There is no reason for this. What is needed now is unity in a common purpose: restoring and maintaining healthy stocks that support commercial, recreational, and cultural fisheries.
A Conservative government will restore calm and confidence to Canada’s fisheries sector by respecting the importance of all resource users and putting conservation first.
To do this, we will:
• Prioritize stock assessments, stock recovery planning and enforcement of science-based catch limits because these have been shown to be the most important predictors of well-managed fisheries. We will also ensure that stock recovery plans incorporate climate change risks.
• Strengthen the role of advisory bodies in fisheries management to enhance cooperation between resource users and ensure that commercial, recreational, and cultural fishers can all have confidence in management decisions.
• Work collaboratively with Indigenous rights-holders and commercial harvesters to develop management plans which fulfill the rights recognized in the Marshall decisions, protect the sustainability of our fisheries, and ensure that coastal communities can continue to thrive.
• Improve the Marine Protected Area (MPA) designation processes by: ° Ensuring that MPAs are focused on contributing to the sustainability of critical stocks; ° Restoring meaningful public consultation to the MPA process; and ° Exploring the feasibility of new models, such as dynamic MPAs, that will improve climate change resiliency.
• Work with stakeholders, First Nations, and regional jurisdictions to implement ecosystem-based fisheries management, including control of abundant predator populations which impact commercial and SARA-listed species.
• Update and strengthen DFO’s national aquatic invasive species program and ensure that the Aquatic Invasive Species Regulations are being implemented.
• Address illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, seafood fraud and ghost gear.
• Restore community-based conservation initiatives like the Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program, provide more support for hatcheries, and support public conservation education initiatives.
• Create a Canadian Seafood Development Agency to advance the sustainable growth of the sector ° The Agency will be responsible for developing a long-term strategy and sustainable growth plan in partnership with the provinces.
• Work with governments and communities in Nunatsiavut, Nunavut, Nunavik, and the Inuvialuit Settlement Region to develop community-based marine fisheries, which will help create employment and fight local and regional food insecurity.
A Conservative governmentwill provide sustainable funding for small craft harbours by doubling annual funding.
Pacific Salmon Strategy
The iconic Pacific salmon species are part of the fabric of life for communities throughout British Columbia and are an essential part of BC’s marine and freshwater ecosystems. While some stocks are robust, many are under threat. This has consequences for Indigenous peoples, coastal communities, and commercial and recreational fishers, as well as to the health of BC’s rivers and streams and to endangered populations like the Southern Resident Killer Whales. Building on the commitments already outlined above, we will develop a Pacific Salmon Strategy focused on making measurable progress toward restoring at-risk stocks.
This will include:
• Enforcing a strict timeline for the completion of stock assessments;
• Prioritizing funding for community-led habitat restoration or other projects that support at-risk stocks; • Ensuring the Salmonid Enhancement Program is sufficiently resourced to support at-risk stocks;
• Increasing support for and engagement with Indigenous- and community-led hatchery and enhancement projects;
• Implementing mass-marking programs at BC fish hatcheries and allowing mark-selective harvest of salmon in BC’s sport fishery, protecting sensitive fish populations while maintaining the health of BC’s public fishery;
• Creating a pinniped management plan that will address threats to at-risk stocks in a balanced way; and
• Identifying the likelihood of future threats due to climate change.
Aquaculture
The Conservative Party supports the sustainable development and growth of Canada’s world-leading aquaculture sector due to its ability to provide a solid economic base in coastal communities, create stable, long-term employment, and contribute to Canadian food security while succeeding as a leading Canadian export to global markets. Internationally, aquaculture is widely seen as an essential source of protein and a key component of improving global food security. Many shellfish and finfish species are grown throughout Canada, and many First Nations have pursued aquaculture as a business that can support their communities and provide meaningful work for their members. However, we also understand that salmon farming on Canada’s West Coast has been controversial and that local communities are confused and torn by conflicting studies and claims. Further, we know that decisions made here could have ripple effects on the East Coast as well. Conservatives will not take an ideological position on this issue. We want the aquaculture industry to succeed, but it is a simple fact that this sector can only grow as long as Canadians can have confidence in our ability to protect wild salmon. Therefore, any decisions related to salmon aquaculture must be based on robust science, guided by conservation, and be respectful of the communities and families that rely on these jobs.
To accomplish this, a Conservative government will:
• Maintain the decision to remove salmon farms from the Discovery Islands, but model the transition after the process that has been undertaken in the Broughton Archipelago to be more respectful of local First Nations, communities, and workers;
• Assign responsibility for the management and sustainable growth of the sector to a department other than DFO so that DFO can be solely focused on enforcement;
• Create a modern Aquaculture Act that can help restore public confidence;
• Ensure the roles of DFO and the CFIA are clearly defined in the National Aquatic Animal Health Program and adequately resourced;
• Strengthen monitoring requirements for salmon farms;
• Develop, in consultation with industry, First Nations, communities and other stakeholders, a comprehensive Salmon Aquaculture Management Strategy that addresses both the risks and opportunities of this sector; and
• Develop a tax incentive program for the development and adoption of technologies that reduce contact between wild and farmed salmon.
