NDP statement on World Oceans Day

NDP Fisheries & Oceans critic Fin Donnelly (Port Moody - Coquitlam) made the following statement on World Oceans Day:

“World Oceans Day is an opportunity to celebrate our oceans, encourage conservation and address the significant challenges facing oceans worldwide.

Climate change, pollution, overfishing, and habitat destruction are a constant threat to ocean ecosystems. Canada has the longest coastline in the world and is steward to more than 7.1 million square kilometers of oceans. We have a responsibility to do more to protect our oceans, habitat, and ecosystems.

The focus of this year’s World Oceans Day is to encourage solutions to plastic pollution, micro-plastics and preventing marine litter in our oceans. New Democrats are calling on the Liberal government to take a leadership role in protecting our oceans by: lowering emissions, encouraging sustainable fisheries, transitioning salmon aquaculture to safe closed containment, adding Marine Protected Areas, protecting killer whale habitats and other marine ecosystems, and removing abandoned vessels from our waters.

Today, Canadians are joining people around the world who are participating in ocean cleanups on our shorelines. They are also advocating for pollution prevention, by using reusable water bottles and shopping bags, instead of single use plastic. It is encouraging to see what we can accomplish together.

On behalf of all New Democrats, I encourage all Canadians to participate in World Oceans Day. Together, we can protect our oceans for tomorrow.”