Canada has set the goal to establish marine protection areas for 10 per cent of our oceans by 2020. What this all means for recreational fishers and others has yet to be determined. In the short-term, Bill C55 is intended to require the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans to apply precautionary restrictions that could put a stop to recreational fishing without first having conducted the science that would justify adopting such a strong measure. It’s a Ministerial requirement that concerns Dr. Larry McKinney, a biologist that has created numerous successful MPA’s along the Gulf of Mexico, and an expert witness called to testify before a Parliamentary committee responsible for reviewing the proposed Bill.

Listen here to Dr. McKinney’s concerns over the Bill and its mandated precautionary approach this week on Blue Fish Radio.