Articles
Canadian Fisheries Agency to Cut Back
Whatever direction the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans takes under new Minister Geoff Regan, it will be with 600 fewer job slots. In a January memo to staff members, DFO Deputy Minister Larry Murray said, “As you know, we have been looking at ways to improve the efficiency of our operations; make funds available
Report Draws Canadian Fire
Not surprisingly, Nell Halse, general manager of the New Brunswick Salmon Growers Association (NBSGA), took issue with the Science report. (see related article) “Ignoring for the moment that institutions as disparate as Health Canada and the American Health Association maintain that eating salmon is healthy for you, I question the reasoning behind going after just
New Canadian Government Could Shift Fisheries Regulation
The swearing in of a new Canadian Prime Minister in December had all the appearance of an orderly succession – one Liberal to another – but it brought a new Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Minister, Geoff Regan, a Member of Parliament whose riding (district) is Halifax West in Nova Scotia. Regan has not yet laid
Disappearing Seaweed Suggests Changes in Bay of Fundy
Some types of seaweed are disappearing from the Bay of Fundy, according to scientists at the University of New Brunswick (UNB) and at the Huntsman Institute in St. Andrews, New Brunswick. The reasons for the disappearance are far from clear. “Something’s happening,” says Gary Saunders, Canada Research Chair in Molecular Systematics and Biodiversity at UNB.
New Role for Canadian Coast Guard?
Canadian Coast Guard personnel and their vessels could be armed if the Canadian Parliament adopts the recommendations of a federal Senate committee. In late October the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defense proposed that Coast Guard “play a constabulary role on Canada’s Coasts.” At least one Member of Parliament, however, has concerns that
Canada ratifies Law of the Sea Convention
Canada has ratified the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Prime Minister Jean Chretien called the move “a good thing” for the country, but a Member of Parlia-ment from Newfoundland/Labrador saw it as Canada’s loss. On Nov. 6, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bill Graham signed the document, and it was deposited with the
Canadians argue over the state of their cod stocks
Are Newfoundland cod stocks recovering? Fishermen claim that they are and cite new federal survey reports as evidence. A federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) scientist says that such optimism is premature and that the recent reports are “indices” not “assessments.” But Dave Decker, secretary-treasurer of the Fish Food and Allied Workers, counters that
Oil company has no “definite” plans for seismic exploration of Nova Scotia
Despite local press and media reports that that seismic testing is planned for the waters off Cape Breton and Sydney Bight in Nova Scotia, a company spokesman says there are no such plans. Such testing would be carried out to explore the possibility of oil and gas reserves. “We do not have any definite plans
An ill wind for Nova Scotia fishermen
This was not what Nova Scotia fishermen needed right now – Hurricane Juan sweeping across the province destroying boats, gear and sheds. Ernest Fage, the Minister responsible for the Emergency Measures Act, put the damage total at $100 million, and the province has promised $10 million in assistance. But the Garrison family in Sambro, about
Landings are low in Canada’s Northumberland lobster fishery
The lobster fishery in the Northumberland Strait is in deep trouble, according to fishermen from New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. “It’s really bad. We had landings this low in the 1940s,” said Rory McLellan, general manager of the Prince Edward Island Fishermen’s Association. “Personally, I’ve never seen this kind of landings, especially with the