Regaining Lost Protections: Status of the Revisions to the Canadian Fisheries Act

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AUTHOR(S): Caleb T. Hasler, Jack G. Imhof, Nicolas  W. Lapointe and Serge Metikosh

CITATION:

Hasler, C.T., J.G. Imhof, N.W. Lapointe, and S. Metikosh. 2021. Regaining Lost Protections: Status of the Revisions to the Canadian Fisheries Act. Fisheries. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsh.10614

ABSTRACT:

The Fisheries Act (Act), a long‐standing Act protecting fisheries in Canada, was changed in 2012 to redefine its central purpose to the management of fisheries in Canada. Along with this refocus were changes that appeared to reduce protections for habitat and all fish. After an outcry by scientists, Indigenous peoples, and environmental organizations, the Act was revised in 2019 to “restore lost protections” thought to have been lost in the 2012 changes. To a large degree most of the “lost protections” have been restored, while other portions of the 2012 Act have been maintained. Challenges remain under the amended Act in efficiently implementing development and conservation projects while achieving the newly clarified purpose of the Act—the conservation and protection of fish and fish habitat.

FULL TEXT – Hasler et al.