The Canadian government is said to be considering changes to the Fisheries Act so that its current policies don’t “go beyond their intended conservation goals.” Here’s what they will likely propose and why it’s a problem:

The government is rumoured to be considering amending section 35 of the Act, which as outlined above, prohibits any works or undertakings that could harm fish habitat. This provision has been part of the law in Canada since 1986. However, the proposed amendments to that section would only prohibit anything causing an “adverse effect" on "fish of economic, cultural or ecological value.”

This is problematic because the draft legislation would remove all references to fish habitat, which is vital to fish survival. Protecting fish themselves is of little value if they have no habitat in which to live and thrive.

Offloading Fisheries to the Provinces (June 2012)

Read more: Ecojustice's Fisheries Act Backgrounder

First Nations Leadership Council Open Letter on Changes to Fisheries Act

WWF - Canada's blog post HADD enough? Keep habitat protection in the Federal Fisheries Act

West Coast Environmental Law's blog: Fisheries Act amendments would be an attack on salmon