Ecosystem integrity and the ?fish wars?

Abstract

The problems of fisheries and aquatic ecosystems in Canada have been analyzed primarily from the standpoint of the conservation of these resources, without much emphasis on the value of aquatic ecosystems for themselves, including their life-support function, vital to all the biota within them. This represents a purely anthropocentric approach, that is flawed from the standpoint of sustainability practically and theoretically (Westra, 1996; Norton, 1995). Without entering in the anthropocentrism debate, the intent of this study is to indicate the apparent conflict between theoretical legislative and regulative aims, and most forms of “management principles”, even when these are presented in their most enlightened forms. Starting with the examination of a recent Canadian case, the failure of present management practices is outlined, even when these are democratically chosen and support worthwhile social goals. The Canadian “fish wars” example shows clearly why the ethics of integrity provide better guidelines for public policy, as they alone take as primary biological and ecological objectives.