Fish Habitat Protection Endangered

Reforms to the Fisheries Act that would end federal oversight over much of the country's fresh water are proving difficult for some provinces to swallow. (Canadian Press)

This topic has received very little coverage in the Calgary media.

We think it’s an important issue deserving of more attention. We hope you agree.

Otto Langer, a retired federal fisheries biologist, released two weeks ago a leaked internal information spelling out planned changes to the Fisheries Act.

A section that went into force in 1986, prohibiting any activities that could harm fish habitat, would be replaced by a ban on anything causing an "adverse effect" on "fish of economic, cultural or ecological value."

The Harper government had planned to slip these significant changes to the Fisheries Act into its Budget Omnibus Bill, which is set to be delivered on March 29.

Mr. Langer has since responded to the Fisheries Minister's defence of the plan that many are saying would gut the fisheries act.

There has been growing opposition to this proposed move.

Trout Unlimited Canada’s CEO Jeff Surtees wrote a letter to Keith Ashfield, Minister of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

Jeff Surtees was also interviewed on Lets Go Outdoors radio regarding this topic.

Two former Progressive Conservative cabinet ministers (both also former Fisheries Ministers), Thomas Siddon and John Fraser, have spoken out very strongly against the proposed changes.

A group of 625 scientists, including David Schindler (U of A), sent a letter urging the government to abandon any changes.

The Canadian Society For Ecology and Evolution, representing 1,000 ecologists and evolutionary biologists, in a letter to Ashfield from president Jeffrey Hutchings, said "In the interests of transparency and accountability, and in the interests of Canadian society, we respectfully request that the science advice received in this regard be made publicly available without delay.”

In addition to the links provided above, two more very informative articles have appeared: Fish habitat: Why rock the boat? and Federal budget may rile environmentalists.

If you are concerned about these proposed changes, there are several options available to make your views known.

You can sign a petition that has been making the rounds of the fly fishing community.

You can personalize, and send, an electronic message via the Sierra Club,

However, your most effective course of action (in our opinion) would be to write to your MP, Minister Keith Ashfield and Prime Minister Harper at your earliest convenience.

Or perhaps best of all, follow up with all three!

And do it today. The clock is ticking.