Efforts to protect fish habitat have been inadequate
Ottawa, 12 May 2009—Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Environment Canada cannot demonstrate that they are adequately protecting fish habitat as the Fisheries Act requires them to do, says Scott Vaughan, Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, in his Report tabled today in the House of Commons. His Report notes that in the 23 years since the Habitat Policy was adopted, many parts of it have been not been implemented by Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
“Fish habitat is a national asset. It provides food and shelter for aquatic wildlife as well as water for human consumption,” said Mr. Vaughan. “It is also important to commercial and recreational fishing, which contribute billions of dollars to Canada’s economy.”
The audit found that there is limited information on the state of fish habitat across Canada. Fisheries and Oceans Canada does not know whether its actions are achieving a net gain in habitat, the long-term objective of the Habitat Policy.
The Report notes that Fisheries and Oceans Canada has made progress by focusing on development projects that represent a higher risk to habitat. However, the audit found that the Department does not adequately monitor projects that it has approved with certain conditions attached that are meant to protect fish habitat.
The audit also found that Environment Canada has not clearly identified what it has to do to fulfill its responsibility for the Fisheries Act provision that prohibits the deposit of harmful substances into waters that contain fish. The Department does not have a systematic approach that allows it to focus its resources where significant harm is most likely to occur.
“The Fisheries Act is among the most important laws of the federal government intended to promote environmental protection and conservation,” said Mr. Vaughan. “I am concerned that many of the issues identified in our audit have been raised repeatedly over many years, and they are still unresolved.”
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The chapter “Protecting Fish Habitat” is available on the Office of the Auditor General of Canada website.
For more information, please click here.