Honour the Fundy's Dead Herring: Protect Marine Animals, All Coastal Life, and Our Oceans

PLEASE NOTE:

Almost six weeks have passed since the original targeted recipients of this petition were informed by Open Letter <https://kentcountynbenvironmentwatch.wordpress.com/2017/01/03/openlettertrudeauleblancmcneilgallant-marinelifeprotectionfundy/> about the concerns that more than 70,000 marine life advocates want addressed.

The original addressees for this petition were federal Fisheries and Oceans Minister Dominic LeBlanc, NS Premier McNeil, and NB Premier Gallant. Our Council of Canadians/Kent County NB chapter's Open Letter of Jan 3rd was addressed to these three men as well as Prime Minister Trudeau. None have responded to the content of this petition nor the Open Letter. 

For its final week, the petition is being readdressed simply to Prime Minister Trudeau. The Prime Minister is where the buck stops, where responsibility for environmental protection, duty of care, due diligence, and good governance ultimately resides. The issues we have been staring at this winter on the Bay of Fundy apply to all marine life, human communities, and oceans on Canada's three coasts. 

Further follow-up strategies are being developed for when this petition expires. For direct contact on those, email me at <coc.kent.county.nb@gmail.com> .

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. Please keep sharing this petition for the final week. I will do one more update if the system allows me, when I close the petition.  
   

Why are we making this petition?

Since November 22 2016, herring have been beaching themselves on the eastern side of the glorious Bay of Fundy, along Nova Scotia shores from Yarmouth to Digby. This is continuously ongoing. There is no way to tell how many are dead. It seems the Government of Canada does not find the matter sufficiently urgent to send underwater divers to determine the scope and source of the problem. Citizens have rallied to take photos and report their observations as outlined in the document What's Happening to the Humble Herring (written December 14, 2016).

What is killing the herring?

The potential sources are many, and include parasites, viral and bacterial pathogens, toxins from algea, hypoxia, domestic pollution, fracking wastes, timber industry's 'black liquor', radionuclide releases, agricultural sprays, forestry sprays, farm waste/agricultural dumping, contamination from aquaculture pens, industrial or natural siesmic activity, ocean warming, acidification, forage species reduction, ship bilge releases, a newly installed tidal energy turbine, and many other possibilities. Is it land-based, sea-based, or related to industrial activities somewhere around the Bay? 

Who is responsible for identifying the cause?

The Department of Fisheries & Oceans (DFO) has responsibility for oceans and salt water fisheries, and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) monitors safety of food products from the sea. Samples were collected for analysis but, while additional die-offs are still being reported, the results have not been publically reported.

The provinces have responsibility for bottom leases, aquaculture, industrial development, forestry extraction, and other jurisdictions generating toxins than can put marine life at risk. Communities in both provinces are concerned and uninformed but provincial departments in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick have not shown public concern over the issue.

These leaders have been silent on this huge crisis:

• Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Dominic LeBlanc, who is also MP for the NB riding of Beausejour, which extends along the length of the west side of the Fundy;


• Premier of Nova Scotia, Stephen McNeil;


• Premier of New Brunswick, Brian Gallant.

How to ensure no repeat of this boondoggle?

Please join us in urging a new approach to the management of our ocean resources that actively involves the responsible authorities AND the public at large.

DFO must begin informing and working with the citizens of the Bay of Fundy:

1. Immediately create a publicized open website where concerned citizens can post abnormal marine events in real time. The website must also provide continuing updates of test results as and when they are available, protocols followed, background information, etc.


2. A voice hot line is essential for the people in our rural areas who do not use computers regularly.


3. Water tests, exploratory dives and other crucial investigatory steps must not be ignored due to lack of personnel or funds. DFO needs proper resources. As well, in many instances, problems could be resolved by DFO working closely with volunteer retired professionals, divers and fishers.

Please support by signing the petition and sharing to your friends and neighbours. Wela'liek, Merci, Thanks.