Rebuilding Fisheries in our Oceans: The Challenges and Progress in Canadian Fisheries Management
Release Date: 11/27/2024
Climate Change Actions Using Sargassum and Black Fly Larvae
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In this episode of the "How to Protect the Ocean" podcast, host Andrew Lewin interviews Dr. Annalisa Bracco, a professor at Georgia Tech specializing in ocean and climate dynamics. The discussion centers around innovative climate solutions, moving away from the typical focus on the negative impacts of climate change. Key Climate Solutions Discussed: Sargassum Management: Problem: Since 2011, there have been significant blooms of sargassum in the tropical Atlantic, impacting beaches in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. These blooms require costly cleanup efforts, amounting to approximately...
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Half of Murres seabird population dies after this happened
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Mind Your Plastic Pollution: A Conversation On Changing Behaviors
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Mind your plastic pollution is a conversation that we all need to have because we all partake in using single-use plastic as the system is set up that way. In this episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, host Andrew Lewin engages in a conversation with Natasha Tucker, the Executive Director of Mind Your Plastic, a Canadian charity focused on eliminating plastic pollution. The discussion centers around the pervasive issue of plastic in our environment, emphasizing the need for behavioral change among individuals and businesses to reduce our dependence on plastics. Key points from...
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Plastic Pollution Clean Up Through Absorption
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Plastic pollution clean up through absorption is now a possibility by using a combination of cotton and chittin to take microplastics out of the ocean...but can this work at scale? In this episode of the "How to Protect the Ocean" podcast, host Andrew Lo discusses the pressing issue of microplastics in the ocean and introduces a promising new method for their absorption using a combination of cotton and chitin. The mechanism involves creating a sponge-like substance called CT cell biomass, which combines cellulose from cotton and chitin from squid. This innovative material is designed to...
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Climate Action When Governments Won't Help
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In this episode of the "How to Protect the Ocean" podcast, host Andrew Lewin discusses the pressing issue of climate change and the challenges posed by government inaction. With the recent political shifts in North America, particularly the incoming administration in the United States, there are concerns about the rollback of environmental regulations and policies that protect the ocean and climate. Key points include: Government Inaction: The episode highlights the potential consequences of a new U.S. administration that may prioritize economic interests over environmental protection,...
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Orcas Playing with Their Food: Wearing Salmon on Their Head
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Orcas playing with their food is not a new behavior; however, wearing salmon on their heads is not usual. In this episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, host Andrew Lewin discusses a fascinating phenomenon involving orcas wearing salmon as hats. A recent photograph captured an orca in Puget Sound sporting a salmon on its head, reminiscent of similar behaviors observed in the 1980s when orcas from the southern resident population also donned salmon hats. Lewin explores the potential reasons behind this behavior, suggesting it could be a playful act, a celebration of a successful...
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Leave the seashells on the Seashore
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Seashells on the seashore are being taken in large quantities and it's increasing erosion along beaches. A new study reveals the tourism industry is taking too many seashells along coastlines in Costa Rica. In this episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, host Andrew Lewin discusses the environmental impact of taking seashells from coastal areas, particularly in Costa Rica. He highlights a growing crisis where the removal of seashells, driven by tourism, destabilizes beaches, accelerates erosion, and harms marine ecosystems. Seashells are essential for various marine species,...
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Abandoned Fish Farms in Greece: Ghost Farm Clean Up by Healthy Seas
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Solar Panel Efficiency Improvements Mimicking Giant Clam Algae
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Orcas vs. Whale Sharks: A New Apex Predator Dynamic
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In this episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, host Andrew Lewin discusses the fascinating behavior of orcas, particularly their recent predation on whale sharks, the largest fish in the ocean. Orcas, known as apex predators, have been observed hunting whale sharks in the Gulf of California. This behavior was documented in a new study published in the journal Frontiers of Marine Science, which includes video footage and images of the attacks. The orcas target the whale sharks by striking their underbelly and grabbing their pectoral fins, aiming for the nutrient-rich liver,...
info_outlineRebuilding fisheries requires information on fisheries stock assessments for each species. Collecting that data is not easy; it takes time and money to do. The Canadian Government is mandated to gather information on the 200 commercially fished species, but it's lacking. Not to worry. Ocean Canada has taken on the burden to collect and presenting the fisheries information in their Annual Fisheries Audit.
In this episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, host Andrew Lewin interviews Rebecca Schijns, a fisheries scientist with Oceana Canada, to discuss the findings of the 8th Annual Fisheries Audit. The audit aims to assess the health of Canadian fish populations and the effectiveness of fisheries management.
Key Highlights from the Audit:
Current Status of Fish Populations:
Just over one-third (35%) of Canadian fish populations are assessed as healthy, an improvement from less than a third in the previous year.
Approximately 34.5% of fish stocks are in an uncertain status, lacking defined benchmarks for sustainable fishing.
The remaining stocks are categorized as follows:
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13% in the cautious zone
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17% in the critically depleted zone
Importance of Audits:
Oceana Canada began conducting these audits in 2017 due to a lack of clear data on fishery health.
The audits compile publicly available government documents, stock assessments, and management plans to create a comprehensive overview of fishery status.
Positive Developments:
High-quality rebuilding plans have been developed for several critically depleted stocks, including mackerel and cod, with timelines for recovery.
Increased consideration of climate change impacts in scientific advice and management decisions.
A slight decrease in the number of stocks in the critical zone, indicating progress in stock assessments.
Concerns and Challenges:
Despite the positive developments, there is a slow rollout of the Fisheries Act regulations, with only 30 out of nearly 200 fish stocks currently covered.
The reopening of the cod fishery and increased quotas for capelin have raised concerns about overfishing, especially given the stocks' precarious status.
The episode highlights the need for stronger leadership and accountability in fisheries management to ensure sustainable practices.
Call to Action:
Rebecca emphasizes the importance of citizen engagement in fisheries management, encouraging listeners to stay informed and advocate for sustainable practices.
Oceana Canada aims to depoliticize fisheries management by promoting strong laws and regulations that can withstand political changes.
The episode concludes with a hopeful outlook for the future of Canadian fisheries, stressing the importance of collaboration and informed decision-making to achieve sustainable fish populations.
Link to the Report: https://oceana.ca/en/reports/fishery-audit-2024/
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