The Ecology Action Centre is a member-based environmental charity in Nova Scotia. Since 1971, we’ve taken leadership on critical environmental issues from biodiversity protection to climate change to environmental justice.
Our Marine team works to ensure our ocean is resilient, healthy and provides for thriving coastal communities. The Ecology Action Centre’s Marine Team works locally, nationally and internationally for better fisheries management, strong ocean protections, traceable and transparent seafood supply chains and sustainable livelihoods. We work in communities and on the water, with advocacy informed by science and socio-economic expertise as well as Indigenous and local knowledge.
- We advocate for fishing policies and practices that minimize harmful impacts on the marine ecosystem while benefiting local communities.
- We work towards increasing consumer and retailer access to properly labelled, sustainable seafood.
- We foster coastal community economic development opportunities by supporting small scale seaweed farmers and entrepreneurs in the growing seaweed sector.
- We advocate for healthy and resilient ecosystems which provide sustainable livelihoods, local food security and quality of life in coastal communities.
Building a modern fisheries catch monitoring system in Canada
Canada is a known leader in fisheries management on the global stage and has been a champion of many international initiatives to capture robust and reliable fisheries catch data. Yet domestically, the reality is that our fisheries catch data is falling behind and moves to address the gaps in our fisheries monitoring system are failing. For several years now, Canada’s fisheries have been unable to meet our at-sea observer requirements which are already embarrassingly low.
The Auditor General of Canada has even identified these significant shortcomings in our fisheries monitoring programs. Canada’s Fishery Monitoring policy is in place but has yet to be fully implemented by the government and preliminary assessment tool results show that several fisheries have monitoring gaps that will now require action.
Through both domestic and international decision-making tables and through our work with the swordfish harpoon fishery, we advocate for and showcase solutions to the current failings of our fisheries monitoring system in Atlantic Canada, and push for improvements that will help ensure economically viable and sustainable fisheries for generations to come.
Keeping a century-old fishery alive
For over 100 years, swordfish in Atlantic Canada have been caught by handheld harpoon. This is one of the cleanest and most skilled fisheries in the world. Despite once being a highly successful fishery, changing ocean conditions have made the swordfish increasingly hard to find making it harder for this sustainable fishing method to be a viable economic endeavor. To adapt to these pressures and unpredictable conditions, this fleet has proposed the addition of a new gear type, rod and reel, a selective and low impact gear method. This helps them access fish when harpooning is not possible.
We co-developed a scientific trial to use rod and reel gear which includes electronic video monitoring. Trials have run each summer since 2022. We support the fleets testing of this technology through data management and storage, data analysis, and logistical support before, during and after trial seasons. We aim to demonstrate the adaptation needed from our fisheries and government in the face of climate change.
Our report, “Keeping a century-old fishery alive,” showcases the work this fleet and EAC have partnered on and sets out a series of key recommendations. The EAC continues to work with the swordfish fleet to showcase electronic monitoring and opportunities for adaptation.