Canada Fights Ban on 'Bulldozers of the Sea'

[Melody]

Canada Fights Ban on 'Bulldozers of the Sea' (http://www.underwatertimes.com/news.php?article_id=06810459371)
Minister Calls Measure 'Not Appropriate'


I suppose I need more education in this matter, because I don't quite know what to think about it. I believe it should be monitored and heavily regulated if it is allowed, but to ban it entirely does seem like a huge step.

Has testing / studies been done on the issue since the modern equipment has been used? I'd like to see data specific to that.:yes:

Being 'environmentally aware' is all the rage. I'm just wondering how much of the bandwagon jumping is a ploy to get votes.

[Soggybottom]

Aw brutal. From what I've seen bottom trawling is pretty grim. Long-term destruction of habitat and horrendous bycatch levels. Like for shrimp trawling, the shrimp compose 10% of the catch, the rest is (now dead) unwanted bottom critters. There was a mini-doc on it with the blue planet series. Mr. Rideout says there is technology to stop the net hitting bottom, but he doesn't say they are using it...

[Melody]

Good point. I think they should be forced to use it or we ban it. Yes, it would be expensive but it would be an investment into your fishing future. They implemented humane traps after all, though I think the Government foot the bill for a lot of that one.

I guess my empathy is split because I grew up in the Maritimes, where fishing is many people's bread & butter.