CFNR News interviewed Julia Hill, Executive Director of SkeenaWild Conservation Trust, to discuss the implications of the federal government’s latest budget on Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). Hill explained that the budget includes over $500 million in cuts to DFO over four years—five times deeper than the $100 million cut in 2013.
“These cuts are very significant,” Hill said. “Monitoring is a fundamental part of fisheries management.” She highlighted that Pacific salmon populations are already at historic lows, and reducing monitoring and research could make sustainable fisheries management nearly impossible. Hill stressed the importance of scientific data, noting, “Without the monitoring data that I’m talking about, [we] cannot sufficiently manage fisheries sustainably.”
Hill also raised concerns about the combination of budget cuts and the federal government’s plan to fast-track major industrial projects, warning, “Fast tracking major projects while reducing DFO’s oversight and monitoring capacity is a double whammy – a recipe for disaster when it comes to wild salmon, their habitat, and fisheries.”
Despite these challenges, Hill encouraged local communities to take action. Supporting selective fisheries, participating in public consultations, and advocating for robust monitoring and research are ways to help protect salmon and ensure long-term sustainability.
Listen to the full interview below.
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