Island fishers are cleaning up the oceans to show their collective support and appreciation of our waters on World Oceans Day, June 8, 2016, said Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Alan McIsaac.
“The oceans are a changing environment for our fish stocks and we need to be proactive and dedicated stewards of our ocean,” said Minister McIsaac. “We have more than 5,000 Islanders who make their living off the sea. It is imperative that we all play a role in the protection and enhancement of the waters that house this important industry.”
Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries are teaming up to spearhead a World Oceans Day initiative that will assist fishers in reducing the amount of plastics reaching our ocean environment.
Beginning today and running until the end of June, the commercial fishing industry is being provided thousands (10,000-12,000) of collection bags to return to shore any products which require disposal such as pop cans, bait bags, cardboard boxes for bait, torn netting, etc. These bags will be distributed to all harbours across the province.
Fishers and aquaculturists are encouraged to participate and show their support of World Oceans Day by returning their waste and compostables back to shore to their respective DFO Harbour Authority. Participants can then enter to win great prizes [link no longer available]. Prizes include a Love our Lobster Retail Gift Certificate, Best of Sea Gift Certificate and Shellfish Festival passes.
Media contact:
Amber Nicholson
Senior Communications Officer
Department of Communities, Land and Environment
amnicholson@gov.pe.ca
902-368-5286