Taylor grew up in Treaty 7 lands in Okotoks, Alberta. As a curious child, she was constantly outside exploring. On her first visit to Victoria, BC, Taylor was enchanted by the diversity of ecological niches and species. She moved west and completed her BSc in Biology at the University of Victoria. Taylor has now lived in coastal BC for a dozen years. Her past work spans research, education, and project management roles. Engaging in intersectional spaces taught Taylor the power of bringing science together with other ways of knowing to find generative solutions. She is now pursuing her Masters of Environment and Management at Royal Roads University. Her research focuses on innovations in marine food systems: how people are finding new pathways to positive marine food futures. Taylor can usually be found in or around the ocean: walking her dog on the beach, surfing, free diving, or sailing.

I have long been interested in food as a major connector. We interact with food daily, our recipes hold generations of tradition, and food dictates many of our relationships to the earth. During my master’s degree, I took systems thinking courses. I was inspired that small leverage points in complex systems could influence exponential positive change. Working in fisheries policy has allowed me to attempt just that. By supporting individuals on the issues that matter to them, their communities, and our ecosystems. I work to understand these needs and generations of coastal knowledge, then I try to leverage our fisheries-related systems to be more aligned with modern values. Recent events in Canadian fisheries reminded me of how complicated the fisheries industry can be, how citizens are trying to make the best food decisions for their health, their communities, and our ecosystems, and how impactful policy is in food systems.

The interconnected challenges of food security, climate change, and sustainable socio-economic systems will only become more complex and put under more pressure in coming years [1], [2]. Coastal ecosystems and communities are especially susceptible to these challenges [3]–[7]. Mounting evidence shows how Canadian fisheries policies increasingly undermine the industry’s potential for positive social, environmental, and economic outcomes – especially in the Pacific region [8]–[10]. With the longest coastline in the world, as well as a rich and diverse marine resource base, Canada can make resounding positive impacts on coastal communities and the nation by changing current fisheries policies.

Current Fisheries Policy Failure

A lack of strong, modern policies have allowed Canadian fisheries to become increasingly consolidated and controlled by a few large corporations and foreign interests [11]. Attempts have been made to slow this trend in Atlantic Canada with owner-operator requirements. However, in the Pacific region, anyone can still buy, sell, and rent the right to fish. Licence and quota continue to be scooped up and consolidated by speculative investors [12]. As this happens, local communities lose their connection to local fisheries and the tangible (i.e. harbour infrastructure and incomes) and intangible (i.e. community relationships and connection to the sea) benefits associated with the industry [13], [14]. The Individual Transferable Quota system was introduced to help with resource sustainability, but the current system has failed to protect Canada’s iconic fish species (like Pacific salmon), while also failing to fulfill
its mandate for equitable distribution of benefits [10], [11], [15].

Threats to Food Security

Increasing global populations and changing incomes and food preferences will only increase demand for nutritious foods in coming decades [16]. Meanwhile, the climate crisis is placing more pressure on food systems, as well as land and water resources. Food security is a high priority issue worldwide [2], [16]–[19]; and as such, fish and marine foods play a critical role [20], [21].

COVID-19 limitations highlighted how Canadian fisheries have become too export focused [22]. The value of seafood no longer adequately supports local cultural, economic, and nutritional needs. Canada exports approximately 85% of its seafood, while also importing approximately 63% of the seafood consumed locally [23]. Additionally, Canadian seafood is largely processed elsewhere, which undermines food security and coastal economies [24]. The lack of value-added processing prior to export results in a loss of local jobs, while also directing local seafood products away from Canadian food supplies. Canada needs a proactive vision for food security and nutrition within its fisheries approach.

A Harvester’s Dilemma

The current fisheries management system makes it difficult for harvesters to incorporate their knowledge into innovations that shift the status-quo. If harvesters cannot afford to own their own vessel, licence, or quota, they have limited say in how they fish. When COVID-19 interrupted global markets, fish harvesters’ ideas to adapt were encumbered by both bureaucracy and by the policies that sell control and ownership to corporations and investors [25]. While Active harvesters hold intimate local knowledge of ecosystems and fishing practices, their experience is ultimately undervalued at the decision-making table [14], [26].

A Call to Government Action

Current Canadian fisheries policies reduce the benefits to local communities and income to harvesters. Because active harvesters capture only a small portion of the value of Pacific fisheries [27], they have less financial capacity and liberty to invest in other local businesses. Additionally, the lack of transparency in the fisheries industry and inadequate data tracking by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) only exacerbates public confusion and lack of trust around the sustainability of seafoods [28]–[31]. The government fails to track beneficial ownership.

Fisheries are a unique resource. They intersect economic, social, cultural, and ecological elements of grand challenges, such as food security, climate adaptation, and economic progress [33], [34]. The Canadian government needs to boldly modernize fisheries policy to better protect Indigenous and Canadian interests and ecosystems. It is an important moment in Canadian history; an election has been called amid the COVID-19 pandemic and Canada is developing its first Aquaculture Act and a Federal Blue Economy Strategy. It is an opportune time to define a new path forward for resilient coasts and communities.

Key policy changes needed in Canada’s fisheries industry are: 1) bringing control and access rights back to local communities and active harvesters; 2) prioritizing fisheries as a local food, not just a trade commodity; 3) supporting harvesters and coastal communities to innovate, adapt, and add value to the fishery supply chain; and, 4) taking a more collaborative and regional approach to management.

1) Bringing Access Back to Community
Moving forward, only those who actively fish should be able to hold licence and quota. The rentier class of “slipper skippers” only drive-up prices and make it less tenable for active harvesters to own their own business. Access rights should be vetted, not simply sold to the highest bidder. Beneficial ownership in fisheries need to be tracked by the Department for Fisheries and Oceans, to ensure industry transparency and exclude investors simply looking to control the supply chain. Instead of policy which “facilitates the drain of revenue from active fishers” [10, p. 20], local, active harvesters should be protected by policies that limit the marketization of resource access.

2) Prioritizing Fish as Food
Fisheries policy must embrace fish as a food product, not just as a trade resource [35]. The Federal government, which has jurisdiction over fisheries, needs to ensure fishing access rights are held by bona fide harvesters. Provincial governments need to hold the Federal government to account, and, enhance fisheries elements within their jurisdiction, including food processing and safety, coastal environmental protection, and local labour forces [24]. Canadian seafoods – from kelp to tuna – should be central in discussions and decision-making around food security, community well-being, and ‘blue growth’. Instead, they are often left out of the picture [19], [36]. Canadian seafood can and should be local, sustainable, and traceable. Shorter supply chains and increased local processing
better respect fishery resources and maximize co-benefits, such as: increased nutritional quality, reduced carbon footprints, and enhanced cultural and community ties [35].

3) Investing in Fisheries
Fisheries innovation can play a role in climate change mitigation and adaptation. Federal and provincial investments in fisheries need to match the scope of the issues faced. For example, in the Pacific region, Federal funding currently focuses only on salmon. Investments that support local fisheries-related enterprises can increase the locality and traceability of fish, and encourage spending in adjacent industries, such as mechanics and vendors. Policies which have hurt independent harvesters’ profits and ownership have restricted their financial ability to take risks, develop new fishing technologies, and keep their business spending local [24], [27].

4) Improving Collaborative Management
The diversity of Canada’s coastal ecosystems and communities demands fisheries management that is regional, collaborative, and iterative. This approach can empower fish harvesters as essential workers and knowledge keepers, improve detection and responsiveness to unexpected changes, increase innovation, and support better planning, visioning, and stewardship [37]. Increasing federal and provincial staff will be key to engaging with diverse regions with varied needs; especially as marine industries grow with the blue economy [38] [39]. If Canada seeks to create resilient coastal communities, increase national food security, and have a sustainable, prosperous seafood industry, then Canadian fisheries policies and regulations must be promptly modernized.