Canada’s Bluefin Tuna Fishery: Cooperation between Science and Industry

Transcript | Windows Media (8Mb)

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Narrator: Today, government, science and industry in Canada all work together to ensure that tuna stocks will support a thriving and sustainable fishery for today and tomorrow.

Dr. John Neilson, Research Scientist, Marine Fish Division, Fisheries and Oceans Canada: We recognize that this species is kind of iconic. It’s one of the largest fish species in the ocean, and as you can see here, it has a lot of public interest, so we feel special responsibility to make sure that they’re well managed and the science is accurate.

I think the relationship between industry and science is particularly positive here  and the fishermen are very keen to understand how the information is being used – and it makes them very happy to contribute more to us.

Eric Jacquard, Tuna fisherman: We just want to make a living out of this. We certainly want to see our sons and our grandsons doing the same thing.

Narrator: Scientists and industry are currently working on an electronic satellite tagging project.

Dr. John Neilson, Research Scientist, Marine Fish Division, Fisheries and Oceans Canada: Satellite tagging is an exciting new development, which allows us to get information independent of the fishery. During the time which it was attached to the fish, it is recording information on light, temperature and depth. The information on the light allows you to geo-locate where the track of the fish was.

Faith Scattolon: Our view is that you start with the scientific advice and it’s fundamental, and if we’re not following that at the outset, then we’re immediately putting ourselves in serious jeopardy.

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Thank you to Canada’s bluefin tuna harvesters for playing their role in this sustainable fishery.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, represented by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 2008.