Fishery Officers To Launch Mission From B.C. To Combat Illegal Fishing

In a first for the country, Fisheries and Oceans Canada officers will be leading a mission in the Indo-Pacific to combat illegal fishing.

"Pacific salmon is vital to the food security, cultures, and economies of numerous First Nations, as well as the livelihoods of thousands of workers in rural and coastal communities in British Columbia and Yukon.”, said the Honourable Joyce Murray, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard.

“As fish are not bound by borders, we must take decisive action to safeguard these species. This high seas enforcement operation will assist in the rebuilding efforts we are undertaking domestically. I wish the fishery officers, Coast Guard personnel, and crew a safe and successful journey and thank them for their efforts in curbing illegal fishing activities."

Officers left Sidney yesterday to lead a joint mission with U.S. Coast Guard members through the fall. Twenty-five people will be on board and out on the high seas until then.

The mission — also known as Operation North Pacific Guard — will allow officers at sea to conduct patrols and onboard inspections to ensure vessels comply with international fishing regulations.

Canada is one of many countries with international agreements under Regional Fisheries Management Organizations. It’s estimated 1,200 vessels out at sea are from countries under that agreement.

If officers find a ship that is not compliant, evidence will be gathered and sent off to prosecutors in the country where the vessel is registered.

In 2022, it was estimated that illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing was a major cause of declining fish stocks. It also accounts for about 30 percent of all fishing activity worldwide.

A second goal of this mission is to better understand what the high seas environment has on the migration and population of fish species of interest to Canada, like Pacific Salmon.

The mission is part of $46 million in funding from the Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative over the next five years.