Canadian Fish Research Articles

Challenges and opportunities for Mi’kmaq Aboriginal and treaty rights to fish in Nova Scotia, Canada

Despite the recognition of the Aboriginal and treaty right to fish in Canada, there has been little movement towards enhancing governance that respects the authority of either the Mi’kmaq, the Indigenous peoples in Nova Scotia, or the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Using a Two-Eyed Seeing research framework, three perspectives were derived from interviews exploring governance challenges and opportunities with key governmental and Indigenous actors. Based on the similarities and nuances among perspectives, key considerations to resolving challenges and incorporating identified opportunities from the research include: i) address injustice and lack of solidarity among First Nations arising from the Indian Act, ii) enhance the legitimacy of current governance by integrating Mi’kmaw and western Knowledge Systems iii) improve governance to address conflict and organization of Mi’kmaw fishers, and iv) build on the shared value of improved relationship where all governing authorities, including Mi’kmaq rights holders and the Mi’kmaq Grand Council, are recognized.

Genomic insights and comparative analysis of Flavobacterium bizetiae HJ-32-4 isolated from soil.

In the late 1970s, Flavobacterium bizetiae was first isolated from diseased fish in Canada. After four decades of preservation, it was reported as a novel species in 2020. Here, we report the first complete genome sequence of HJ-32-4, a novel strain of F. bizetiae. Interestingly, HJ-32-4 was isolated from soil in Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea, unlike the other two previously reported F. bizetiae strains which were isolated from fish. We generated a single circular chromosome of HJ-32-4, comprising 5,745,280bp with a GC content of 34.2%. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) value of 96.2% indicated that HJ-32-4 belongs to F. bizetiae CIP 105534T. The virulence factor was not detected in the genome. Comparative genomic analysis of F. bizetiae and major flavobacterial pathogens revealed that F. bizetiae had a larger genome size and the ratio of peptidases (PEP) and glycoside hydrolase (GH)genes of F. bizetiae were lower than those of the rest strains, implying that F. bizetiae exhibits similar characteristics with non-pathogenic strains from a genomic point of view. However, further experimental verification is required to ensure these in silico predictions. This study will provide insight into the overall characteristics of HJ-32-4 compared to other strains.

A Multi-Life Stage Comparison of Silver Nanoparticle Toxicity on the Early Development of Three Canadian Fish Species.

Information on the effects of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in fish has mostly been generated from standard laboratory species and short-term toxicity tests. However, there is significant uncertainty regarding AgNP toxicity to native species of concern in North America, particularly in northern freshwater ecosystems. We assessed the chronic toxicity of AgNPs in early life stages of three North American fish species: rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush), and northern pike (Esox lucius). Newly fertilized embryos were exposed to nominal aqueous concentrations of 0.1, 0.3, 1.0, 3.0, 10.0, or 30.0 nM AgNPs for 126 (rainbow trout), 210 (lake trout), and 25 (northern pike) days. Endpoints included cumulative developmental time (°C × day or degree-days to 50% life-stage transition), mortality, fork length, embryonic malformations, cumulative survival, and histopathology of gill and liver in larvae/alevins. The results showed life stage-specific differences in responses, with endpoints during the embryonic stage occurring more often and at lower concentrations compared to larval/alevin and juvenile stages. Sensitivities among species were highly dependent on the endpoints measured, although developmental time appeared to be the most consistent endpoint across species. At embryonic and larval/alevin stages, northern pike was the most sensitive species (lowest observable effect concentration of 0.1 nM using developmental time). Rainbow trout displayed similar responses to lake trout across multiple endpoints and therefore seems to be an adequate surrogate for trout species in ecotoxicology studies. Moreover, while mortality during individual life stages was not generally affected, the cumulative mortality across life stages was significantly affected, which highlights the importance of chronic, multi-life-stage studies. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:3337-3350. © 2021 SETAC.

English

Abstract Crayfish are key organisms in freshwater ecosystems across the United States (USA) and Canada, yet are among their most highly imperiled taxonomic groups. In 1996, a committee of prominent USA crayfish biologists warned of a crayfish imperilment plight and neglect of the fauna by natural resources agencies. It is unclear whether crayfish conservation has been prioritized by those agencies in the intervening decades. Our objective was to evaluate the status of crayfish conservation and management in 50 USA and 13 Canadian fish and wildlife agencies through a telephone survey. Fifty-one percent of agencies employed biologists to conduct crayfish work, mostly in the southern USA, and focused on threats (e.g., invasive species) or species’ distributions and conservation status. Of the 32 agencies working on crayfish, 59% considered them a priority, but 53% acknowledged insufficient funding. The most commonly cited information needs were threats, species compositions (native and introduced), distributions, conservation status assessments, and ecology. We report an encouraging but limited increase in agencies working on crayfish over the past two decades.

The role of science advice in recovery potential assessments in freshwater fish listing decisions under the Canadian Species at Risk Act

Fishes assessed as Threatened or Endangered by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada are disproportionately less likely to be listed under the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA) compared to other taxa. We examined the extent to which the amount and type of science advice in a Recovery Potential Assessment (RPA) contributes to SARA-listing decisions for 34 wildlife species of freshwater fishes in Canada. We used a generalized linear mixed model to describe SARA listing status as a function of RPA completeness. Principal coordinates analyses were conducted to assess similarity in answers to RPA questions among listed and nonlisted species. The amount and type of science advice within an RPA were weakly related to SARA status. RPA completeness accounted for only 7.4% of model variation when family was included as a random effect, likely because nine species not listed under SARA (64%) belong to the sturgeon family. Our results suggest that, while potentially useful for informing recovery strategies, RPAs do not appear to be driving listing status for freshwater fishes in Canada. Factors beyond scientific advice likely contribute to nonlisted species and delays in listing decisions.

Flavobacterium bizetiae sp. nov., isolated from diseased freshwater fish in Canada at the end of the 1970s.

Genome sequence analysis of two strains collected in Canada at the end of the 1970s and deposited in 1998 at the Collection de l'Institut Pasteur has led to the taxonomic description of a novel fish-associated species in the genus Flavobacterium. Both strains, CIP 105534T and CIP 105535, were yellow-pigmented, Gram-stain-negative, non-spore-forming rod-shaped bacteria that exhibited gliding motility. They grew aerobically in a temperature range from 5 to 30 °C with optimal growth at 25 °C on trypticase soy or Reasoner's 2A agar but they did not grow on marine agar. Their major fatty acid profiles were similar, consisting of iso-C15 : 0, C16 : 1 ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH (shown as summed feature 3), C16 : 0 3-OH, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and C16 : 0. The major polyamine was sym-homospermidine. Phosphatidylethanolamine and, most notably, ornithine-containing lipid OL2 and unidentified aminophospholipid APL1 were major polar lipids. A yellow pigment spot was visible after chromatographic analysis. The predominant respiratory quinone was MK-6. The G+C content of the two genomes was 34 mol% and their size was around 5.8 Mb. Comparison of the 16S rRNA gene sequences with those of the closely related type strains showed high levels of relatedness with Flavobacterium collinsii and Flavobacterium pectinovorum. All average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values estimated against publicly available Flavobacterium genome assemblies were lower than 90 and 30 %, respectively. Phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data indicated that the two strains represent a novel species of the genus Flavobacterium, for which the name Flavobacterium bizetiae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CIP 105534T (=LMG 1342T). The unique ability of F. bizetiae to use melibiose as a sole source of carbon could provide a simple phenotypic test to discriminate F. bizetiae from its closest relatives.

Ex Uno Plures? Morphotype and Lineage Diversity of Bothriocephalus (Cestoda: Bothriocephalidea) in North American Freshwater Fishes.

Morphological and molecular evaluation of tapeworms of the genus Bothriocephalus Rudolphi, 1808 (Cestoda: Bothriocephalidea), based on newly collected and uniformly fixed worms from freshwater fishes in Canada and the United States has revealed unexpected diversity. With a combination of selected morphological features and 4 molecular markers (18S rDNA V8 region, ITS1, ITS2, and COI gene sequences), the following morphotypes and lineages of the Bothriocephalus cuspidatus Cooper, 1917 complex were identified, several of which are specific to their respective fish definitive hosts and may represent separate species: B. cuspidatus sensu stricto from walleye, Sander vitreus (type host), which likely includes a miniature morphotype from Johnny darter, Etheostoma nigrum (both Percidae); Bothriocephalus morphotype from pumpkinseed, Lepomis gibbosus (Centrarchidae); and Bothriocephalus morphotype from rock bass, Ambloplites rupestris (Centrarchidae). The Bothriocephalus morphotype from goldeye, Hiodon alosoides (Hiodontidae), may also represent a separate lineage (possibly Bothriocephalus texomensisSelf, 1954) but requires additional studies. A morphotype from smallmouth bass, Micropterus dolomieu, based on a single specimen, is morphologically and genetically very similar to the morphotype from rock bass. Morphological study of the scolex and strobila of heat-killed and fixed specimens has revealed consistent differences, often subtle, that allowed us to differentiate between these morphotypes.

Reintroduction of fishes in Canada: a review of research progress for SARA-listed species

Fishes are among the most threatened taxa in Canada with over 70 species, subspecies, and (or) designatable units presently listed for protection under the Species at Risk Act (SARA). Protecting these species requires a diverse set of strategies based on the best-available data and information. One approach identified under SARA and in Canadian federal recovery strategies for improving the status of SARA-listed fishes is species reintroduction, which involves the release of individuals into areas from which they have been extirpated with the goal of re-establishing self-sustaining populations. The success of reintroduction relies on a comprehensive understanding of species ecology and life history, with considerations around population genetics and genomics. However, SARA-listed species are some of the most poorly known species in Canada due to their rarity and relative lack of research investment prior to the enactment of SARA. As a result, SARA-listed species have the most to lose if reintroduction activities are not carefully researched, planned, and executed. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to present an accessible summary on the state of reintroduction science for SARA-listed fishes in Canada with the hope of motivating future research to support reintroduction activities. We focus our review on 14 SARA-listed freshwater or anadromous fishes identified as candidates for reintroduction in federal recovery strategies. We follow the species-specific summaries with guidance on how basic research questions in population ecology, habitat science, and threat science provide a critical foundation for addressing knowledge gaps in reintroduction science. Subsequently, we identify the importance of genetic and genomic techniques for informing future research on the reintroduction of SARA-listed species. We conclude with recommendations for active, experimental approaches for moving reintroduction efforts forward to recover Canadian fishes.

Habitat associations of the Threatened pugnose minnow (Opsopoeodus emiliae) at the northern edge of the species range

AbstractPugnose minnow (Opsopoeodus emiliae) is a small, reclusive species that is widespread in North America, but is one of the rarest fishes in Canada, found in less than 12 known localities in southwestern Ontario. In contrast to most pugnose minnow populations across the global range, Canadian populations are primarily found in turbid systems, potentially indicating persistence in suboptimal conditions. We used data from a multi‐gear species and habitat survey in the Canard River, Ontario, a system dominated by agricultural inputs and the best‐known capture site of the species in Canada, to parameterise multi‐gear occupancy models for understanding the relationship between pugnose minnow occupancy and microhabitat features, including the role of turbidity. Almost 300 pugnose minnow were captured, representing the largest single collection of the species in Canadian history. The best occupancy model indicated that the probability of pugnose minnow occupancy was highest in the deepest sites with the lowest water clarity (i.e. high turbidity); however, competing models suggested that occupancy was highest at sites with wild celery (Vallisneria americana) and higher water clarity, signifying that habitats with low turbidity may be utilised if sufficient physical cover exists. Together, our results suggest that Canadian pugnose minnow populations occupy and potentially favour turbid conditions, possibly to avoid visual predators in clearer habitats. It remains uncertain whether this abiotic association represents a long‐term, viable, local adaptation or whether persistence of pugnose minnow in the Canard River is at risk unless significant water quality improvements can be made.

Mass human-caused mortality spurs federal action to protect endangered North Atlantic right whales in Canada

“If we don't take robust, science-based, coherent measures to protect these highly endangered North Atlantic right whales, we're really playing Russian roulette with the entire future of the Canadian fish and seafood industry,” Fisheries and Oceans Minister Dominic LeBlanc, CBC New Brunswick, 16 June 2018.Governments are required to demonstrate that they manage natural resources in an environmentally and economically sustainable manner. Evidence of an environmental conservation problem is often not considered sufficient by government to warrant a change in the way human activities are managed until the problem becomes a societal crisis (e.g., large effects on economics, operations or infrastructure). Governments are then challenged to nimbly implement effective reactionary measures that both solve the problem and protect livelihoods. The mass mortality of North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis) that occurred over a 3 month period in Canadian waters in 2017 due at least in part to fishing gear entanglements and ship strike is an example of a situation wherein evidence of a growing conflict between whales and humans was not acted upon until it became an emergency. The disaster galvanized a number of recent federal environmental initiatives into a powerful government force that was able to collaborate with many non-government groups in promptly responding to the problem. This led to commendable implementation and enforcement of crisis management measures. However, implementation came after many mortalities had already occurred because management plans were developed extemporaneously. Further, the need for crisis management negatively impacted local communities and industries. The eventual implementation of federal regulations led to zero attributable right whale deaths and a profitable fishery in the area of highest whale densities the following year. This shows that government leaders can act effectively on issues of environmental conservation, but that these actions can be drastic (i.e., requiring significant and rapid change to human activities) if there is a historic lack of action to address chronic conservation problems. Being proactive requires acting in proportion to evidence, using plans that are adaptive, precautionary and based on science. Canada must now look to sustainable, preventative measures to reduce right whale mortality risk.

Tritium in fish from remote lakes in northwestern Ontario, Canada

Tritium is most commonly generated as a by-product of nuclear reactors. As such, environmental concentrations are typically only reported near regions of interest, and background concentrations in areas unaffected by anthropogenic disturbance are not well characterized. To provide information on background levels of tritium in the natural environment, tissue-free water tritium (TFWT) and organically-bound tritium (OBT) were measured in the flesh of 106 fish collected within three lakes located at the IISD-Experimental Lakes Area (ELA) in Ontario, Canada in 2014. For the three ELA lakes studied, water tritium (HTO) activity concentration was determined to be below reliably detectable levels (0.6 Bq/L). Fish TFWT was found to be below 0.7 Bq/L, similar to the surrounding water tritium activity concentration. Fish OBT activity concentrations, at below 5 Bq/L, were also very low. Fish size was significantly related to OBT activity in Lake Whitefish and White Sucker from Lake 302, but not in other lakes. Though we observed significant differences in potential tritium exposure to humans among lakes, the levels of tritium reported here are below the Canadian natural background radiation of 1.8 mSv/y. These results provide information on background levels of tritium in freshwater fishes in Canada.

Loss of SNP genetic diversity following population collapse in a recreational walleye (Sander vitreus) fishery

Walleye (Sander vitreus) are in demand as a commercially and recreationally harvested freshwater fish in Canada. Managed populations may exhibit different phenotypic and genetic signatures from their natural counterparts. In Alberta, Canada, this fishery is recovering from population collapses attributed to intensive recreational angling. We hypothesized that historical population collapses would be associated with signatures of reduced genetic diversity. To address this question, we sampled six walleye lakes in northern Alberta, including historical tissue samples for one population, and used genotyping-by-sequencing to characterize 1081 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Lakes were identified as unique genetic clusters except for two lakes that unexpectedly exhibited signs of genetic clustering. Using historical DNA samples, 428 homologous SNPs characterized in walleye between pre- and postpopulation collapse exhibited significant reductions in multiple estimates of genetic diversity. Collectively, our results illustrate that genotype-by-sequencing methods that integrate historical and contemporary samples in association with managed populations provide insight into the consequences of harvest pressure causing collapse.

Study of fish products in Metro Vancouver using DNA barcoding methods reveals fraudulent labeling

The complexity of seafood supply chains and fish naming systems has rendered the traceability of a seafood product challenging if not impossible, creating loopholes for intentional or unintentional illicit practices that erode the market transparency and integrity. DNA barcoding has been extensively applied to evaluate the integrity of seafood markets worldwide. However, little information is available to comprehensively assess the fish market integrity in Metro Vancouver, the 3rd largest metropolitan city in Canada. Therefore, we conducted a market survey by collecting 285 finfish samples from grocery stores, sushi bars and non-sushi restaurants in Metro Vancouver and used DNA barcoding and DNA mini-barcoding to analyze the compliance of product market names with allowable species in accordance with the Canadian Fish List. On average 25% of the samples were mislabeled. Restaurants had the highest mislabeling rate (i.e. 29%), followed by grocery stores (i.e. 24%), while sushi venues (i.e. 23%) had the least mislabeling incidence. Among the mislabeled products, snappers presented the highest mislabeling rate (i.e. 91%). Evidence of the various motivations of the mislabeling, including intentional substitution using less expensive species, purposed mislabeling of by-catch or illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing products, and unintentional misidentification or misuse of dialects and vernaculars were all observed. To protect the integrity of the seafood supply chain, several recommendations on the labeling standards are discussed: harmonize the accepted common names with major trading countries; enforce labels to include scientific names for fish products; disapprove the use of vague multispecies generic names; and require labels to provide information of geographical origins and catching/farming methods. These actions have contributed to the significant improvement of seafood market integrity in the European Union and are anticipated to be effective in Canada.

Migrant worker experiences in Atlantic Canadian fish processing plants

Low‐skilled migrant workers provide an important labour source in Atlantic Canada's seafood industry. This research unpacks the experiences of 22 workers from Thailand and the Philippines working in one Atlantic Canadian seafood processing company. We pay particular attention to migration routes, labour conditions, and worker mobility, along with worker reflections on their experiences landing a Canadian job. We also consider the perceptions of migrant workers among company staff. We argue that despite the various unfreedoms associated with migrant worker programs, migrant workers in this particular facility have demonstrated agency in negotiating the program to their advantages. The success of the workers, however, is contingent on a conjuncture of elements that are not necessarily found elsewhere in the seafood processing industry. Worker experiences, both with other Canadian employers and elsewhere, offer a stark contrast to their current situation: migrant workers often experience significant unfreedoms to gain relatively free working conditions.

Low-temperature tolerances of tropical fish with potential transgenic applications in relation to winter water temperatures in Canada

Application of fluorescent protein transgenes in tropical freshwater fish is used in research (e.g., in zebrafish) and in the commercial ornamental aquarium trade. To assess the overwinter potential of such fish in Canada, we examined the minimum temperature tolerance of three wild-type species (zebrafish, Danio rerio (Hamilton, 1822); black tetra, Gymnocorymbus ternetzi (Boulenger, 1895); tiger barb, Puntius tetrazona (Bleeker, 1855)) used as fluorescent models in the aquarium trade, as well as four lines of green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgenic and wild-type zebrafish used in research. Both tetra and barb had lower temperature tolerance limits that were higher than surveyed winter temperatures in Canada, and the lower tolerance limits of zebrafish lines was only within the range of a few surveyed lakes in some years. One line of GFP zebrafish had a lower temperature tolerance limit that was significantly higher than those of other lines, suggesting that some fluorescent transgene constructs may alter tolerance to extreme temperatures. When lines of zebrafish were reared at 8, 10, or 28 °C for 4 months, all lines were capable of producing viable embryos after cold rearing. These results indicate that tropical transgenic fish models used in research and in the aquarium trade are not expected to persist over winter in Canadian water systems.

Living on the edge: Traits of freshwater fish species at risk in Canada

Abstract The native ranges of many species in North America reach their northern extent in southern Canada, which results in several aquatic species with core populations found farther south being assessed as at risk by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) and receiving protection under the Species at Risk Act (SARA). To determine traits that predict at‐risk status for freshwater fishes in Canada a classification and regression tree analysis was performed using a suite of ecological and life‐history traits, and the species’ distributions in Canada. Range‐edge distribution in Canada was a significant predictor of a species assessed as at risk by COSEWIC and to be listed as at risk under SARA. Other predictive traits included Balon reproductive guild, reproductive age/maximum age ratio, and lifespan. Species with economic value were also not likely to be assessed as at risk by COSEWIC. Analyses showed greater inconsistency in listing status under SARA than COSEWIC assessment, and a bias toward not listing species, despite predicted at‐risk status, was evident. The predictive models may prove useful in making future conservation decisions and highlight species that should have their status (re)assessed.

Price modelling in the Canadian fish supply chain with forecasts and simulations of the producer price of fish

ABSTRACTThis research article reports the results of two time-series models defined on the producer price of fish in Canada. An ARMAX model is specified to provide a parsimonious characterization of producer prices and used to simulate price effects from exchange rate shocks. Results show the importance of exogenous shocks, outside the control of fisheries management on welfare/income of Canadian fishermen. An error-correction model is specified to link the price in the first-hand market to the price in the processing market. This model measures both the short- and long-run parameters in defining price, provides estimates on the length of time to regain the equilibrium from price shocks and to forecast producer price response. Interestingly, results show that process price can be considered weakly exogenous with respect to both the short and long run and is the price leader in determining producer price.

Morphology and molecules reveal the alien Posthodiplostomum centrarchi Hoffman, 1958 as the third species of Posthodiplostomum Dubois, 1936 (Digenea: Diplostomidae) in Europe.

Metacercariae of two species of Posthodiplostomum Dubois, 1936 (Digenea: Diplostomidae) were subjected to morphological and molecular studies: P. brevicaudatum (von Nordmann, 1832) from Gasterosteus aculeatus (L.) (Gasterosteiformes: Gasterosteidae), Bulgaria (morphology, cox1 and ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) and Perca fluviatilis L. (Perciformes: Percidae), Czech Republic (morphology, cox1, ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 and 28S); and P. centrarchi Hoffman, 1958 from Lepomis gibbosus (L.) (Perciformes: Centrarchidae), Bulgaria (morphology, cox1 and ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) and Slovakia (cox1 and ITS1-5.8S-ITS2). In addition, cercariae of P. cuticola (von Nordmann, 1832) from Planorbis planorbis (L.) (Mollusca: Planorbidae), Lithuania (morphology and cox1) and metacercariae of Ornithodiplostomum scardinii (Schulman in Dubinin, 1952) from Scardinius erythrophthalmus (L.) (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae), Czech Republic, were examined (morphology, cox1, ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 and 28S). These represent the first molecular data for species of Posthodiplostomum and Ornithodiplostomum Dubois, 1936 from the Palaearctic. Phylogenetic analyses based on cox1 and ITS1-5.8S-ITS2, using O. scardinii as the outgroup and including the three newly-sequenced Posthodiplostomum spp. from Europe and eight published unidentified (presumably species-level) lineages of Posthodiplostomum from Canada confirmed the distinct status of the three European species (contrary to the generally accepted opinion that only P. brevicaudatum and P. cuticola occur in the Palaearctic). The subspecies Posthodiplostomum minimum centrarchi Hoffmann, 1958, originally described from North America, is elevated to the species level as Posthodiplostomum centrarchi Hoffman, 1958. The undescribed "Posthodiplostomum sp. 3" of Locke et al. (2010) from centrarchid fishes in Canada has identical sequences with the European isolates of P. centrarchi and is recognised as belonging to the same species. The latter parasite, occurring in the alien pumpkinseed sunfish Lepomis gibbosus in Europe, is also supposed to be alien for this continent. It is speculated that it colonised Europe long ago and is currently widespread (recorded in Bulgaria, Slovakia and Spain); based on the cox1 sequence of an adult digenean isolate from the Ebro Delta, Spain, only the grey heron (Ardea cinerea L.) (Ciconiiformes: Ardeidae) is known to be its definitive host in Europe.

Guide to the Parasites of Fishes of Canada Part V: Nematoda.

Keys are provided for the identification of the nematode species known to be parasites of Canadian fishes. The nematodes are described and illustrated, with a note of the site(s) they occupy in named fish host(s) and their geographical distribution. Parasite records are given by author and date, full details of which can be found in a bibliography of over 800 references. Diagnoses and keys for 22 Families, 47 genera and 88 species of nematodes are also given, together with a glossary of terms, a host-parasite list, and indices to both nematode parasites and hosts.

Fishing for a Solution: Canada's Fisheries Relations with the European Union, 1977–2013, by Donald Barry, Bob Applebaum, and Earl Wiseman

Reviewed by: Raymond B. Blake, University of ReginaA former professor and colleague at Mount Allison University in New Brunswick regularly asked students in his diplomatic history course to trace the smell of fish through the history of Canada's foreign relations. His was a historical approach to Canada's diplomatic history, and I suspect that in many Canadian universities where the history of Canada's foreign relations is still taught, fish get very little attention. However, as the authors of Fishing for a Solution ably demonstrate, fisheries still matter in Canada's foreign relations. The authors, all well versed in fisheries policy from their academic and government roles, bring both a historical understanding and first-hand experience to the subject. From 1977, when Canada extended its jurisdiction over much of the continental shelf, to 2013, when there were few fish left to catch off Canada's east coast, two of the authors were engaged in making fisheries policy in Canada's relations with the European Union (EU). The third is a leading academic who has written widely on Canada's fishery policy.This is a remarkably detailed and insightful account of Canada's relations with the EU over the catching of fish in the North Atlantic. The authors convincingly argue that international relations stand at the intersection of domestic and external policies. In this case study, they contend that factors at several different levels impact the Canada-EU relationship. Canada and the EU interact with each other as members of the international community, of course, but their fisheries policies are influenced by subnational units--provinces in Canada and member states in the EU. Canada's east coast provinces, particularly Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia, have usually demanded (without much success) a voice in the articulation of fisheries policy. In the EU, Spain and Portugal have exerted considerable pressure on fisheries policy within the EU councils. Although the book recognizes that, in Canada's case, domestic matters have frequently influenced fisheries policy, the focus here is more on the internal dynamics and politics within the EU.The book begins with Canada's decision in 1977 to extend its jurisdiction over fisheries and mineral wealth 200 miles offshore. It was a buoyant period for Canada's fishery, when many thought that the new policy would usher in a period of expansion and prosperity for Canada's fishers. So confident was Canada that it was willing to share it bounty within the 200-mile exclusive zone and subsequently negotiated agreements with European nations that had historically fished off the east coast. Canada believed that the new agreements realized effective conservation measures while achieving access to European markets for Canadian fish exports. It gave the Europeans access to species Canada did not value and fish that were surplus to domestic needs. However, Canadian exporters soon discovered that EU countries were reluctant to open their markets to Canadian fish imports and within a short period, the rush to harvest fish both within and outside the 200-mile zone resulted in dwindling catches from overfishing.The focus in this book, however, is not so much the events leading to the destruction of the fish stocks off Canada's east coast but Canada's attempts to establish long-term agreements on fishing on the continental shelf with the EU. The situation became much more complicated in 1985 when Spain and Portugal joined the EU. Both nations have large fishing industries and their powerful fishing regions exerted a strong influence on state policies. Spain and Portugal forced the EU to challenge what they considered Canada's restrictive management approach to conservation even though that approach was gaining momentum in Canada and indeed throughout the EU. Spain and Portugal quickly took advantage of the dreadful procedure within the North Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO), an international organization to monitor and control fishing in the North Atlantic that allowed member states that disagreed with the quotas set for each member simply to dismiss them and set their own autonomous quotas. …