Petition

Stop Overfishing in Canada

70,641 signatures. Let’s get to 80K

To many, fish are not as charismatic, charming, or cute as some of the ocean’s most iconic species, like whales. They are the ocean’s underdogs, quietly supporting large marine ecosystems. But today, Canada’s fish populations are in deep trouble, and they need you to root for them now more than ever.

Add your voice to demand that the Canadian government stop overfishing and rebuild depleted wild fish populations.

The Canadian government’s mismanagement of fisheries is leading to overfishing of wild fish populations – making it impossible to conserve and support the long-term health of the ocean. To address this threat, Oceana Canada and Only One are teaming up on a mission to stop overfishing in Canada and encourage Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Joyce Murray, to make an abundant, healthy ocean a priority for coastal fishing communities, food security, and our planet. Canada boasts the world’s longest coastline and manages a sprawling 2.76 million square kilometers of ocean in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic. Because of its critical proximity to ocean resources, Canada is also home to one of the world’s most significant fishing industries, catching more than 1.1 million metric tonnes of fish every year. Seafood is the single largest food export, and Canada consistently ranks in the top 25 fish-producing countries in the world.

Canada’s current approach to managing wild fish is defective and it’s devastating the ocean.

A half-decade of assessing the state of fish populations and how they are being managed in Oceana Canada’s annual Fishery Audit has shown that Canada is failing. Fewer than one-third of Canada’s fisheries are considered healthy and nearly 80 per cent of depleted fish populations don’t even have rebuilding plans to bring them back to healthy levels.

And the problem is much worse than the government admits.

The Canadian government claims there are 33 critically depleted stocks, which are fish populations that are in urgent need of conservation. New Oceana Canada research shows there could be as many as 58. These species, including ecologically important capelin, are being managed in the dark, without adequate information. Some invertebrate stocks, like snow crab and shrimp, are depleted and yet the government still considers them ‘uncertain.'

This is leading to overfishing that harms the ocean and coastal communities and fails to meet the full potential of our seafood industry. Snow crab is one of the most economically valuable species in Canada that was worth over half a billion dollars in 2020 and, according to Oceana Canada research, several snow crab stocks are depleted. If managed for its long-term health it could be worth much more for coastal communities.

We have a small window of opportunity to stop overfishing in Canada.

This petition makes it clear to Minister Murray how to change Canada’s failing fisheries: 

  1. List all fisheries under the Fisheries Act regulations. By implementing existing laws, the government will document and account for fisheries and rebuild those that are depleted.

  2. Require a status for species currently listed as ‘uncertain’ and use modern fisheries management informed by science and Indigenous Knowledge Systems. This should prioritize species that can have long-term benefits for the ecosystem, economy, and socio-cultural underpinnings of coastal communities.

Sign the petition to demand that the Canadian government stops overfishing and prioritizes rebuilding healthy wild fish.

Supporters
Emelia B

You can tell these guys havent watched Nemo….cmon guys: “fish are friends, NOT food”-to be unethically sourced and insanely depleted (becoming critic…

1 year ago
Whitney L

We need to initiate a change. In MULTIPLE aspects regarding animal wildlife and iur enviroment. This is one small way to help.

1 year ago
Dr Kathryn M

I am concerned about building and maintaining a healthy ocean biosphere. Over fishing interrupts a natural cycle by depleting a vital source in this…

1 year ago
Jocelyn E

I op

1 year ago
Sara U

please slow it down - we’re killing life

1 year ago
Rebecca A

our oceans arent healthy

1 year ago
Eileen H

overfishing will fataly change and destroy the ecosystem. the fishes can't reproduse, starvation of the bigger pray and overabundant of smaller specie…

1 year ago
Chigozie A

seafood

1 year ago
Gabrielle H

We need to protect our ocean biodiversity.

1 year ago
Melina S

humans take to much

1 year ago
Kate D

we need to protect our oceans and wildlife.

1 year ago
Pati M

I care!!

1 year ago
Boadichea O

i am signing because these need to be signed to helo save our planet.

1 year ago
Aaliyah H

overfishing is wrong and inconsiderate to the sea life that lives on this earth with us!! humans need to stop being so selfish!! greed is the sin that…

1 year ago
Camilo C

i am signing because there are more options to provide food for everybody, and destroy our environments never is an option.

1 year ago
Ella L

This is wrong and something needs to be done.

1 year ago
Rajveer R

i love penguins.i think that they are one of the cutest species that exists.

1 year ago
Veronika S

i dont want to hurt animals who are getting in nets for no reason

1 year ago
Omar R

its not fair to cause a species to extinction for money

1 year ago
Jamil G

because i love fish not to eat simply because i love how they are our distance relatives

1 year ago
Adam V

Overfishing is severely unsustainable and will eventually lead to ecosystem collapse.

1 year ago
Lauren B

Animals are an essential part of the earth's ecosystem. We will destroy the planet if we kill everything on it.

1 year ago
Alison T

i love sea life

1 year ago
Karlia B

I am signing because I believe we must stop the human greed and rape of our planets natural resources for the future health of all living species.

1 year ago
Lucy R

we need balance for health and happiness for all life

1 year ago
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