Sea Pact funding support for The BC Shrimpers' Association LED Light Use Project
(
Non-governmental organization (NGO)
)
#OceanAction41937
Description
This project aims to mitigate the main bycatch issue of Eulachon in the BC shrimp trawl fishery through the use of LED light technology. Verification of the effectiveness of this selective gear technology aims to support proposed regulatory change, and thus effect improvement on the economic feasibility of the fishery while minimizing the impact of the fishery on the environment including other species.
The Projects ultimate objective is to test, and through that testing, verify results achieved in Oregon State, to signficantly reduce the bycatch of Eulachon through the use of LED lights in the Shrimp-by-Trawl Fleet. This data is required to independently verify the result in Canadian Waters to allow the process of Regulatory Change to take place so make such equipment legal for use in Canada.
The benefits of the proving of this technologh in Canada are to: The Eulachon populations, B.C. Shrimp-By-Trawl Fishermen, their families, and processors, First Nations that use this fish as a Traditional Food Source.
The Project will be carried out by independent scientific researchers ARCHIPELAGO MARINE RESEARCH LTD. This company has an excellent track record in the fields of Fisheries Research, Observer, and Monitoring. The project will also be monitored by DFO staff. Should the technology be verified, there is an ongoing Management Protocol for observer coverage in the B.C. Shrimp-by-Trawl fishery.
This LED Technology is now used 100% in the Oregon Pink Shrimp Fishery. However, the use of lights in Shrimp Trawl are currently illegal in Western Canada. This study is required to verify the effectiveness of the use of LED Lights to promote the efforts by DFO to make the necessary changes to Fisheires Regulations to allow the use in, at least, the B.C. Shrimp-by-Trawl fishery.
The Project is a verification of work already carrie out in Oregon. As a result of the Oregon work that fleet now uses 100% use of LED to reduce by-catch. Once the work is verified in Canada, A proposal will be made to DFO to change Regulations in Western Canada to allow the use fo this Technology in the B.C. Shrimp-By-Tawl, and perhaps, other fisheries.
SDGS & Targets
Goal 14
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
14.1
By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
14.1.1
(a) Index of coastal eutrophication; and (b) plastic debris density
14.2
By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
14.2.1
Number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas
14.3
Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels
14.3.1
14.4
By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics
14.4.1
14.5
By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information
14.5.1
14.6
By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation
14.6.1
Degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing
14.7
By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism
14.7.1
Sustainable fisheries as a proportion of GDP in small island developing States, least developed countries and all countries
14.a
Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
14.a.1
14.b
Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets
14.b.1
Degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional framework which recognizes and protects access rights for small‐scale fisheries
14.c
Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want"
14.c.1
Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources
SDG 14 targets covered
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| 14.2 | By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans |
| 14.4 | By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics |
| 14.a | Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries |
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Rob Johnson, Managing Director