Canada needs to complete its Sensitive Benthic Areas policy.
We do not completely oppose the use of bottom trawls to capture fish. We believe there are habitat types and areas where bottom trawling may be an acceptable fishing method. Our concern, however, is that there is no federal policy in place to properly zone this type of fishing method. Consequently, bottom trawling in many circumstances occurs over areas that are sensitive (e.g., deep sea) and not well-suited for the disturbance imposed by the trawls. On the other hand, in some areas (e.g., shallow, wave-disturbed sandy banks) bottom trawling is acceptable. Areas that have never been trawled before (frontier areas) should be immediately closed to any exploration until comprehensive studies have taken place.
DFO has initiated this policy but has yet to complete it, and early drafts of the policy indicate that it will not fully address the issue of seafloor habitat damage from bottom trawls.
Questions for candidates: 1. Does your political party support the use of bottom trawls in previously untouched habitats?
2. Does your political party support the completion and implementation of the Sensitive Benthic Areas policy?