Big win for ecosystem-based herring management in B.C.

Fisheries minister’s decision creates way to recovering herring

VANCOUVER | TRADITIONAL, UNCEDED TERRITORIES OF THE xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (MUSQUEAM), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (SQUAMISH) AND səlilwətaɬ (TSLEIL-WAUTUTH) FIRST NATIONS — The David Suzuki Foundation applauds Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Minister Joyce Murray for moving toward an ecosystem approach to Pacific herring management. This decision reflects the importance of herring for ecosystems and First Nations communities in B.C. while allowing for some fishing opportunities.

This is a move in the right direction as it will help with the protection and recovery of this important forage fish and the species that depend on it.

As a representative on the Integrated Herring Harvest Planning Committee for 15 years, the David Suzuki Foundation has been advocating for such a sensible ecosystem-based management approach for Pacific herring. These fish are a critical component of coastal and marine ecosystems in B.C. that feed a wide variety of culturally and economically important species such as seabirds, salmon, seals and whales.

“Reducing the harvest rate in the Strait of Georgia to 10 per cent is a great first step that reflects the outsized importance of this species for marine ecosystems,” said David Suzuki Foundation marine conservation specialist Kilian Stehfest. “We hope the fishery management plan will also include a provision to gradually reduce the harvest rate if the stock falls below the healthy zone.”

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For more information or a media interview, please contact:

Jay Ritchlin, (604) 732-4228, ext 1241, jritchlin@davidsuzuki.org

Kilian Stehfest, (778) 686-7472, kstehfest@davidsuzuki.org