Greens Speak in Favour of UN Taking Action on Bottom Trawling

OTTAWA -  Later this week, UN policy-makers will review the impacts of bottom trawling, also known as dragging, which is known to be the most destructive method of fishing currently being used.  “The Green Party has been calling for a ban on bottom trawling for many years based on scientific findings that show this method of fishing is decimating the ocean floor,” said Green Fisheries Critic Janice Harvey.  “We urge every Canadian to get involved and make their voice heard that this practice should be banned globally.”

Avaaz.org has collected over four hundred thousand signatures on a petition directed to the UN General Assembly.  The US and Australia have already banned bottom trawling in their waters, a position which Canada’s Conservative government has so far refused to support.

Bottom trawling involves dragging a net the size of a soccer field, held open by heavy metal doors, along the sea floor, catching everything in its path, including valuable coral reefs, and creating a swath of destroyed ocean floor in the process.  Almost half of what a bottom trawler catches are non-target species, which are thrown overboard dead or dying, including crab, squid, shark, sponge and coral.

“A ban is essential to adequately protect marine habitat from bottom-trawling,” said Harvey.  “Our fisheries are in peril – threatened by bioaccumulation of toxic chemicals, oil and gas spills and exploration, and climate change.  Bottom trawling is something that we can control and that we can take action on immediately.  A ban would go a long way toward lessening the pressure on our marine ecosystems.”

“The world is watching and hoping that Canada will join other countries in working to end this devastating practice of bottom-trawling,” said Leader Elizabeth May.  “We hope the pressure of the UN will be instrumental in ensuring that Canada agree to a global ban.”

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