Scientists press Canada to approve fishing guidelines despite occupation wording

HALIFAX – Canadian scientists are appealing to the federal government not to hold up a unique set of United Nations-sponsored guidelines that would protect small-scale fisheries around the world.

About 70 fisheries experts from across the country signed a letter urging Ottawa to change its position on the guidelines, which were produced by a committee with the Food and Agriculture Organization.

Out of 98 member states, Canada was the sole opponent of the guidelines that will go before a meeting of the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization in Rome on June 8.

The Department of Foreign Affairs says it objects to language in the guidelines that ensures the protection of small-scale fisheries in “situations of occupation.”

Foreign Affairs spokesman Adam Hodge says the phrasing only politicizes the process and hurts guidelines that were five years in the making.

But Ratana Chuenpagdee, a professor at Memorial University in Newfoundland who consulted on the guidelines, says Ottawa is needlessly worried about any effect on relations with Israel and Palestine.

She says Canada’s opposition could scuttle guidelines that are the first of their kind and meant to foster small-scale fisheries, while promoting food security and sustainability internationally.