Tag Archives: West Coast trawl fishery

At Sea Observer – Whistleblowers say workplace abuse hides true impacts of B.C.’s trawl fishery

Under the at-sea observer program, observers are required to estimate bycatch on ships, often while mountains of fish are being dumped on deck and unwanted species are being thrown overboard. Observers are also expected to take biological samples and count and assess the condition of prohibited species, which can include valuable fish like halibut, all while staying out of the way.In early April, the Fisheries and Oceans Canada suddenly ordered the observers off the boats for 45 days due to safety concerns around COVID-19.  >click to read< 12:50