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Your message didn't get posted on sust-mar? Probably it contained html coding. Use your "Format" pull-down menu to switch to plain text format. ____________________________________________________________________________ Centre Petitions Minister on Conserving Corals, Sponges and Tomorrow's Fish For Immediate Release July 29, 2003 HALIFAX - The Ecology Action Centre of Nova Scotia has submitted a petition to the federally appointed Commissioner on Environment and Sustainable Development. The petition is addressed to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and focuses on DFO's failure to protect fish habitat from the impacts of fish dragging. Fish habitat is anything a fish uses in its life and includes living features, such as corals and sponges, and physical features, such as humps and holes. "DFO's inability to address and resolve this issue over the last twenty years is a disaster both for the ecosystem and the economy of Atlantic Canada," says Mark Butler, EAC's Marine Coordinator. "We hope the Commissioner can oblige the Minister to address this issue in a forthright and comprehensive manner-we've had enough fishery collapses." According to the Commissioner on Environment and Sustainable Development, protecting fish and fish habitat remains a significant concern for Canadians, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada continues to be one of the most petitioned departments. Of the approximately 100 petitions submitted, it is estimated that 28 relate to impacts on fish habitat, primarily freshwater habitat. For years fishermen have been calling for restrictions on dragging-the towing of large nets and heavy rollers and weights across the ocean floor. More recently, scientists have been publishing study after study describing the negative impacts of dragging and many, including government scientists, are calling for restrictions on dragging. In June 2001, EAC announced that it was seeking a judicial review of DFO's decision to re-open fishing grounds to groundfish draggers. Lawyers with the Sierra Legal Defence Fund are arguing that DFO, by issuing licences to draggers, is facilitating the destruction of fish habitat contrary to the Fisheries Act. The case will be argued on January 26, 2004 in Federal Court in Halifax. To view petitions already submitted to the Commissioner go to http://www.oag-bvg.gc.ca/domino/reports.nsf/html/c20021006ce.html To view the EAC's petition and material on dragging (minus) appendices go to www.ecologyaction.ca. -30- For more information contact Mark Butler or Penny Doherty at 429-2202 -------------------- Mark Butler Marine Issues Committee Coordinator Ecology Action Centre 1568 Argyle Street Suite 31 Halifax, NS B3J 2B3 902.429.2202p 902.422.6410f ----------------------- ____________________________________________________________________________ Did a friend forward this to you? Join sust-mar yourself! Just send 'subscribe sust-mar' to mailto:majordomo@chebucto.ca
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