The fishing industry off Prince Edward Island needs more timely and better monitoring given the impending impacts of climate change, according to the P.E.I. Fishermen’s Association.
Executive director Ian MacPherson said a recent report from the federal environment commissioner underlined the importance of doing more, and better science — especially as the crucial herring and mackerel fisheries remain closed to Island fishers.
Commissioner Jerry DeMarco’s Nov. 7 report said Fisheries and Oceans Canada lacks the ability to collect timely and dependable data on what and how much is being caught.
“Certainly anytime we get gaps in science, and we’ve got several fisheries that are closed right now, that’s a real concern because we want as much accurate and timely data as possible,” MacPherson said.
