2024-Dec-18
GBA Requests Added Federal Oversight of Aquaculture Operations in Lake Huron
GBA’s Aquaculture committee has written to Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change of Canada (ECCC), to ask for more federal oversight on the industry to mitigate ecological damage and to ensure compliance with the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.GBA also made several recommendations, including:
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Expanding aquaculture research in Lake Huron to better understand the impacts of this industry and eliminate the research gaps.
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Expanding ECCC and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) oversight of the industry to ensure that regulations are enforced and the environment is protected.
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Convening a working group for transparency and collaboration among stakeholders.
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Moving the industry to sustainable, land-based locations to minimize environmental impacts.
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Implementing a moratorium on further growth of the industry until these measures are in place.
GBA also notes that after a thorough review, the state of Michigan recommended that commercial net-pen aquaculture not be undertaken in the Great Lakes, citing concerns about the risks to the ecosystem.
Read the full letter to Minister Guilbeault here.
Learn more about the aquaculture issue here.
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