Harper Weaking the Fisheries Act

[Goliath]

http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/Harper+abandoning+protection+dozens+freshwater+spe cies+scientists/6691287/story.html (http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/Harper+abandoning+protection+dozens+freshwater+spe cies+scientists/6691287/story.html)

[Eastbranch]

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The legislation would eliminate one of the most powerful environmental components of federal law — the ban on any activity that results in "harmful" alteration, disruption or destruction of fish habitat.
It is being replaced by a prohibition against activity that results in "serious" harm to fish that are part of a commercial, recreational or aboriginal fishery, or any fish that supports one of those three fisheries.

"Serious harm" is defined as the "death of fish" or any "permanent" alteration to, or "destruction" of, fish habitat.
"This revision will remove habitat protection for most of Canada's freshwater fish," Hutchings wrote on behalf of the 1,000 scientists.
"The revision will also impair Canada's ability to fulfill its legislated obligations to prevent the extinction of aquatic species," he added, noting that it's "improbable" that 80 per cent of the 71 wildlife species at risk of extinction would be considered to be part of, or supporting, the three fisheries.
The change also will end protection for other aquatic species that share habitat with fish, including amphibians, reptiles, mussels, crayfish and "numerous" aquatic plants and insects, according to the letter.
University of B.C. zoology professor Eric Taylor, co-chair of freshwater fishes for the COSEWIC panel advising the government on species at risk, zeroed in on C-38's focus on money-making fisheries.
"It's another knock against the inherent value of biodiversity — of all things, whether or not they have any immediate economic values, and I personally think that is regrettable," said Taylor. He, like Hutchings, stressed that he's not speaking on behalf COSEWIC, the federal advisory body.


Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/Harper+abandoning+protection+dozens+freshwater+spe cies+scientists/6691287/story.html#ixzz1waOVgZ9T

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[boxhitch]

among others,
http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/showthread.php?80412-Fisheries-Act-The-Canadian-Press

http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/showthread.php?79762-Harper-Plans-for-Elimination-of-Wildlife-Protection!&highlight=harper+fisheries (http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/showthread.php?80412-Fisheries-Act-The-Canadian-Press)

[boxhitch]

http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2012/05/10/Bill-C38/