Allow recreational spearfishing

AI summary

Petitioners ask the Government of Canada to amend the Maritime Provinces Fishery Regulations and/or the Atlantic Fishery Regulations to permit recreational breath‑hold (freedive) spearfishing in the tidal waters of the Maritime Provinces for the same species as angling, subject to species‑specific seasons, size and catch limits, conservation closures, safety measures, and other measures deemed necessary by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. They say spearfishing is a selective, sustainable method that can minimize bycatch and litter, note that current federal rules already allow spears for some species (eel, smelt, tomcod) and that other jurisdictions regulate recreational spearfishing, and request consultations with recreational and commercial fishers, First Nations, conservation groups and other stakeholders when developing the regulatory framework. No government response is provided with the petition.

AI summaries describe petitioners’ requests and claims. Consult the official record for the full text.

Official petition

Petition to the Government of Canada The Maritime Provinces Fishery Regulations (SOR/93-55) govern fishing in Nova Scotia and adjacent tidal waters; Those federal regulations already recognize spears as a lawful recreational fishing method for certain species, including eel, smelt and tomcod; Recreational spearfishing is the most sustainable fishing method, as it allows the fisher to identify the individual healthy fish before harvesting it, and thus inherently creates virtually no litter, bycatch, or unnecessary harm to the environment when regulated properly; Spearfishing is permitted as a regulated recreational fishing method in other Canadian provinces and jurisdictions; and Maritimers should have access to recreational fishing methods that can be appropriately managed while maintaining existing conservation objectives, seasons, size limits and catch limits. We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: 1. Amend the Maritime Provinces Fishery Regulations and/or the Atlantic Fishery Regulations to establish recreational breath-hold (freedive) spearfishing as a permitted fishing method in the tidal waters of the Maritime Provinces, including both near shore and offshore, for the same species’ that angling is permitted for, subject to appropriate species-specific seasons, size limits, catch limits, conservation closures, safety considerations, and other measures deemed necessary by Fisheries and Oceans Canada; and 2. Consult with local recreational fishers, commercial fishers, spearfishers, First Nation communities, conservation organizations, and other affected stakeholders when developing the regulatory framework for recreational spearfishing.

Government response

No government response is available yet.