The Conservative Party of Canada has announced plans to support the fishing industry and improve fish stocks by renewing engagement and consultation with local fisheries.
“It is so important to note the important role that fisheries play in our local economies,” said Alfie MacLeod, Conservative candidate for Cape Breton, Canso.
“To maintain infrastructure and support communities, a new Conservative government will provide $250 million in additional support for small craft harbours."
If elected, the party commits to:
- Create advisory panels with harvesters, anglers, Indigenous groups and other experts
- enhancing and rebuilding wild Atlantic and Pacific salmon tocks
- Complete new recovery plans for all of Canada's critical fisheries
- Repeal measures that bypass community consultations for Marine Protected Areas
- Work with industry to develop a strategy for preventing seafood fraud
- Create a modern aquaculture act
- Support the advancement of technology, practices that reduce contact between wild, farmed salmon
Acting under the Conservative's campaign entitled 'A Real Plan to Protect Our Environment,' fisheries will also be encouraged to reduce the prevalence of “ghost gear," or abandoned and lost gear, which entangles marine wildlife and contributes to the world’s oceans’ plastic problem.
Read the full text release below.
Canada’s Conservatives announce plan to support fisheries
A new Conservative government would engage new strategies, partnerships and provide funding to support critical industry
Glace Bay, NS – Alfie MacLeod, Conservative Candidate for Cape Breton – Canso, and Eddie Orrell, Conservative Candidate for Sydney – Victoria, were in Glace Bay today to speak with local fish harvesters about Andrew Scheer’s plan to promote and support Canada’s fisheries by adopting new strategies and partnerships to strengthen relationships and build consensus on how to restore fish stocks. Similar announcements were made by Conservative candidates across the country.
“The Trudeau Liberals have failed to consult fish harvesters over the past four years and this has had a real impact on our coastal communities," said Alfie MacLeod. "Livelihoods throughout our province depend on the fishery. Conservatives will work with Nova Scotians to strengthen this vital resource.”
To renew engagement and consultation to support our fisheries, a new Conservative government will:
- Create advisory panels with fish harvesters and anglers, Indigenous groups, and other experts as appropriate, to rebuild critical stocks and ensure that everyone is working together.
- Enhance and rebuild wild Atlantic and Pacific salmon stocks by increasing support for community-led conservation and enhancement projects and increasing the price of the Salmon Conservation Stamp for non-residents to benefit the Pacific Salmon Foundation.
- Complete new recovery plans for all of Canada’s critical fisheries and develop strategies for managing predators and invasive species where necessary.
- Repeal measures that bypass community consultations for Marine Protected Areas while ensuring that the process is robust and timely. Justin Trudeau’s changes have short circuited important community consultations for Marine Protected Areas.
- Work with industry to develop a strategy for preventing seafood fraud.
- Create a modern aquaculture act.
- Support the advancement of technology and practices that reduce contact between wild and farmed salmon.
“It is so important to note the important role that fisheries play in our local economies,” said Alfie MacLeod. “To maintain infrastructure and support communities, a new Conservative government will provide $250 million in additional support for small craft harbours.”
Supporting our fisheries is also an important part of A Real Plan to Protect Our Environment. As part of our efforts to combat oceans plastic, a new Conservative government will work with international partners to reduce the prevalence of “ghost gear”, or abandoned and lost gear, which entangles marine wildlife and contributes to the world’s oceans’ plastic problem. We will work to protect our oceans against one of the deadliest forms of marine litter.
“A new Conservative government will support our fishing industry to ensure our local communities and economies continue to thrive,” said Eddie Orrell. “These are necessary measures – strategies, partnerships, and funding – to make sure this critical industry continues to thrive.”
Andrew Scheer, Leader of Canada’s Conservatives: “Justin Trudeau is not as advertised. This election, Canadians have a choice. Between the poor judgement of Justin Trudeau, and a new, positive Conservative government that will take immediate action to give you more help at home.”
