Stop MSC Certification of 3Ps Cod!
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Atlantic Canada's cod fisheries were once the most abundant in the world. For centuries, these fisheries were the focus of distant water fishing fleets, as well as the foundations for many coastal communities. However, the decline of Atlantic cod as a result of overfishing led to the closure of much of the directed fishery in 1992. Cod recovery has taken over three decades and is still very much in the early stages. Recent studies have found that climate change can also impact cod recovery.
The 3Ps cod population, which spans the southern coast of Newfoundland to the Southern Laurentian Channel, skirting the Grand Banks, is an important one for Canada. The 3Ps cod fishery is also the first cod fishery in Atlantic Canada to enter into certification by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). If certified, 3Ps cod will be labelled as sustainable seafood, originating from a sustainable fishery.
As recently as 2010, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Species in Canada (COSEWIC), which advises the Minister of Environment on listing decisions under the Species At Risk Act, has assessed this cod population as endangered. To this day, the collapse of the cod fishery stands as the textbook example of the over-exploitation of a natural resource. We do not think that this fishery has recovered to the point where it should be considered a sustainable fishery. In addition, there are important aspects of the scientific assessment of 3Ps cod that need to be addressed.
The Ecology Action Centre is objecting to the certification - which is no easy feat. In fact, to simply object costs about $15,000 Canadian. We have to pay for the objection process and adjudication ourselves, as well as travel to the hearing which has been scheduled in London, UK for February 10th, 2016.
We have secured part of the funding for this work - but we need your help in securing the rest. If you care about endangered fish populations, the future of Canada's reputation as a manager of sustainable fisheries, the credibility and impact of eco-certification programs and the protection of a species that has played such an important role in our history, culture and identity, please donate and share this campaign with your peers.
We are so grateful for your support and we hope to return with good news.
**Please note that while we are a registered charity, donations made through GoFundMe will not be issued a charitable tax receipt. If you wish to make a larger donation and require a tax receipt, you may do so by following this link. Donations made this way will still be added (anonymously) to the GoFundMe tally
Thank you.
The 3Ps cod population, which spans the southern coast of Newfoundland to the Southern Laurentian Channel, skirting the Grand Banks, is an important one for Canada. The 3Ps cod fishery is also the first cod fishery in Atlantic Canada to enter into certification by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). If certified, 3Ps cod will be labelled as sustainable seafood, originating from a sustainable fishery.
As recently as 2010, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Species in Canada (COSEWIC), which advises the Minister of Environment on listing decisions under the Species At Risk Act, has assessed this cod population as endangered. To this day, the collapse of the cod fishery stands as the textbook example of the over-exploitation of a natural resource. We do not think that this fishery has recovered to the point where it should be considered a sustainable fishery. In addition, there are important aspects of the scientific assessment of 3Ps cod that need to be addressed.
The Ecology Action Centre is objecting to the certification - which is no easy feat. In fact, to simply object costs about $15,000 Canadian. We have to pay for the objection process and adjudication ourselves, as well as travel to the hearing which has been scheduled in London, UK for February 10th, 2016.
We have secured part of the funding for this work - but we need your help in securing the rest. If you care about endangered fish populations, the future of Canada's reputation as a manager of sustainable fisheries, the credibility and impact of eco-certification programs and the protection of a species that has played such an important role in our history, culture and identity, please donate and share this campaign with your peers.
We are so grateful for your support and we hope to return with good news.
**Please note that while we are a registered charity, donations made through GoFundMe will not be issued a charitable tax receipt. If you wish to make a larger donation and require a tax receipt, you may do so by following this link. Donations made this way will still be added (anonymously) to the GoFundMe tally
Thank you.
Organizer
Ecology Action Centre
Organizer
Halifax, NS