Moratorium on bottom trawling
Petitioners ask the House of Commons to implement the 2011 UN resolution by imposing a moratorium on bottom trawling in Canadian waters and require ecosystem-level impact review.
Why we would sign this petition
- It would protect deep-sea habitats and reduce removal of untargeted species caused by bottom trawling.
- It could help prevent stock collapses, habitat loss and declines in fishery productivity that harm markets.
- It aligns Canadian policy with the 2011 UN resolution and promotes harmonized, science-based practices that meet consumer expectations.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- A moratorium could cause economic harm to fishers and coastal communities without proposing mitigation or transition measures.
- The petition cites limited ecosystem data and notes DFO has reported mainly species-specific catches, so broader evidence may be needed before a full ban.
- A blanket moratorium may be blunt; targeted management, gear modifications or spatial protections might better balance conservation and fisheries.
The summary and both sets of reasons are AI-generated from the petition and given equal weight. Claims are the petitioners’ own; consult the official record for the full text.
Official petition
PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLED We, the undersigned Citizens of Canada draw to the attention of the House the following: THAT, WHEREAS, bottom trawling is a non-selective fishing method that involves towing nets along the seafloor, WHEREAS, according to the 2011 United Nations Convention on Sustainable Fisheries Resolution, Canadian Groundfish Research and Conservation Society (CGRCS) and Deep Sea Conservation Coalition, bottom trawling has detrimental effects on deep-sea environmental habitats, WHEREAS these practices are unfavourable for fishery markets due to stock collapses, habitat loss and reduction in productivity, WHEREAS many untargeted species are removed from the ocean floor, WHEREAS The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has only provided data on specific groundfish species caught by bottom trawling and not on entire ecosystems or trawling effects, WHEREAS harmonizing international laws that encourage modern science and respond to consumer expectations benefits businesses and consumers in today's global market place, WHEREAS the most updated practices are insufficient, THEREFORE, YOUR PETITIONERS call upon the House of Commons to implement the 2011 UN Convention calling for a moratorium on bottom trawling.
Government response
No government response is available yet.