(Submission to the Federal Blue Economy Consultations June 2021)
Look at YOUR COD!
Yes, you may live in Central Canada
- but the Atlantic Cod should be solidly on your mind!
After all, it is part of your rich national heritage.
It's the legendary fish that bought Europeans across the Atlantic Ocean
to build this great nation of ours;
and it also fed the world.
Further, while this mighty fish swims in the waters off the East Coast of Canada,
it is also a Common Property Resource that belongs to ALL Canadians
- which compels all of us from coast to coast to be fish guardians.
Plus, it is a precious and vital resource to one of our most beautiful and struggling provinces
- Newfoundland and Labrador.
Furthermore, it is a valuable resource in our Canadian Food security strategy - or should be, at least.
For all these reasons and more,
we must Look at our Cod and Care more.
But instead, 30 years after a ground-shattering Moratorium in which most fishing was brought to a halt
(July 2, 1992, in case you need a reminder); and our province lost 40,000 jobs (largest in Canadian History) & 80,000 People,
our Cod and other fish have not been prioritized for recovery
- with an URGENT Recovery Plan
Action Items & Timelines.
Yet, a recent poll by Oceana shows that a whopping 97% of Canadians
care about our wild fishery being rebuilt.
Why? Because they know the value and morality of protecting
a renewable resource such as the fishery and their ecosystems.
Today is World Oceans Day -
don't send out platitudes.
Change your attitude!
Look at YOUR Cod &
Became a FISH GUADIAN
Btw, a young Justin Trudeau jigged Cod with his father
and the-then Premier of Newfoundland, Joey Smallwood - an experience that he often fondly recalls.
If the Cod and other wild fish are all gone in 30 more years,
it will be too late for any child to enjoy and our nation will have lost a most valuable food resource.
You cannot be committed to Sustainability
& allow such a tragedy to continue to unfold.
NL once had the World's Greatest Fish Resource
& under Canadian mismanagement,
it was not only allowed to be depleted
- but it took the heart and soul out of our people and province.
Does our province not deserve Fairness, Justice & Reconciliation with our fish?
Don't Blow it
- BLUE it!
"In Cod We Trust"
