Question

The fishery is the most important common property resource in Canada. Why is it so difficult to prevent over‐fishing when the evidence is clear that over‐fishing will destroy the fishery? What kinds of policies have Canada used to protect the fishery?

Use the personal opinion to answer，thanks.

Answer 1

Why is it so difficult to prevent over‐fishing when the evidence is clear that over‐fishing will destroy the fishery?

Answer: Overfishing happens because of a number of reasons:

1) Bycatching: This happens when fishes of a species wind up in net and lines set for another species of fish or when the fishes caught are legally too young to be caught. These happen because of usage of non-selective fishing gear.

2) Setting the allowable catch too high: Regulators often set the allowable catch too high failing to consider the potential bycatches. This almost always results in overfishing significantly beyond the permissible limit.

Other factors include:

3) Conflict regarding allocation of fishing quota

4) Lack of transparency promotes business interest at the cost of ecological interests

5) Lack of ecological sensitivity among fishermen and business enterprises involved in fishing

What kinds of policies have Canada used to protect the fishery?

Following major policies have been used by Canada to protect the fishery:

Regular monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) of fishing vessels within and beyond Canada's 200-mile limit. This is a core component of the fisheries management strategy of Canada. It helps Canada in detecting and preventing illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in Canada.

Regular monitoring and inspection in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) and the Convention Area of the North Pacific Anadromous Fisheries Commission (NPAFC).

Aerial surveillance in coordination with various surface assets in the North Pacific.

Maintaining records of fishing vessels engaged in illegal fishing helps in prevention of illegal fishing