National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
As the year’s climate-related gains and catastrophes wrap, Canada’s National Observer is reviewing the top five stories to make waves in B.C.’s coastal and island communities in 2022.
First Nations, forests and fish-related news surfaced as some top issues from CNO’s Island Insider beat, and are likely to dominate headlines in the new year as well.
Continue reading From fish to forests, how 2022 played out on Canada’s West CoastNational Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Ottawa has launched its awaited fisheries licence buyback program to protect plummeting Pacific salmon stocks on the West Coast.
Looking to fix the problem of too many boats chasing too few fish, on Wednesday, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) unveiled details on its voluntary commercial licence retirement (LRP) program that will pay salmon harvesters to exit the industry.
Continue reading Feds launch licence buyback plan to scale down B.C.’s salmon fishing fleetNational Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The West Coast fishing sector is being hung out to dry and deserves a just transition like other climate-affected industries after the federal government put in widespread closures to the salmon fishery last year, the fish harvesters union says.
Boat captains, crews, and shore workers are suffering dire economic hardship with zero emergency or transitional supports after the ministry of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) closed 79 salmon fisheries last June, said James Lawson, president of the United Fishermen and Allied Workers’ Union (UFAWU).
Continue reading Feds leaving West Coast fishing sector to flounder after salmon closures, harvesters sayNational Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
In her first major decision, new federal Fisheries Minister Joyce Murray has reduced the West Coast commercial herring fishery by half.
Wading into the thick of fish politics Thursday, Murray said the decision is based on an abundance of caution given herring are a critical food for endangered salmon stocks — further jeopardized by the double whammy of fire and floods in B.C. this year.
Continue reading New fisheries minister wades into fish politics, cutting herring harvest in halfBy Marc Fawcett-Atkinson, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
James Lawson catches fish. Fish that rarely feeds the B.C. coast.
He’s not alone: Roughly 85 per cent of seafood caught in the province is exported, yet B.C. fish harvesters can’t get their catch to local markets — and the provincial government is doing little to change that in its plans to increase food security post-pandemic.
Continue reading fish that rarely feeds British Columbians – they are exported
