A coalition of First Nations and coastal communities is urging the Government of Canada to address the unsustainable harvesting of marine resources in Haida Gwaii, Tsimshian, and Nisga’a territorial waters. The petition calls for immediate action to protect marine food security, which is vital for the cultural and nutritional needs of these communities.
Overfishing, particularly by industrial factory freezer trawlers, is depleting key fish species, including hake, turbot, and rockfish, and threatening the ecological balance of these waters. Data from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans shows a sharp decline in fish stocks, with some quotas falling drastically in recent years.
The petition demands a ban on factory freezer trawlers in northern Haida Gwaii, Tsimshian, and Nisga’a waters, stronger regulations on industrial fishing, and priority access to marine resources for First Nations communities. Additionally, the petition calls for the integration of traditional stewardship practices, which have successfully maintained ecological balance for generations.
This petition seeks immediate government intervention to ensure the preservation of marine ecosystems and uphold the rights of Indigenous communities as stewards of these lands.
Comments