A Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Fishery Officer has come forward with powerful testimony, pleading for help to combat organized crime, dangerous vessels, black-market fish sales, and the shifting political will of the day.
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This testimony makes one thing crystal clear: Canada urgently needs more fisheries officers, increased funding, and stronger legal support to properly enforce the Fisheries Act—for the benefit of fish populations and all Canadians.
Section 35 constitutionally protected Indigenous rights do not protect criminal activity. The PFA fully supports FSC (Food, Social, and Ceremonial) fisheries. However, we do not support criminal activity—by any group or sector—within British Columbia’s or Canada’s fisheries.
Officer Thorburn should be commended for his courage in bringing these issues forward for all Canadians to see and understand.
Below are the six biggest challenges Fishery Officers face when attempting to enforce the Fisheries Act. View the full video testimony for critical detail and context.
The Six Key Challenges:
- Lack of charge approvals for enforcement files involving Indigenous harvesters
- Lack of traceability throughout the seafood supply chain
- Organized crime exploitation of fisheries and the need for full peace-officer status
- Insufficient staffing levels, limited budgets, and chronic underpayment of officers
- Unintended enforcement setbacks caused by Fisheries Act changes made without foresight, and the need for practical habitat-compliance solutions
- Lack of direct communication between management and frontline enforcement officers
This testimony should serve as a wake-up call. Effective fisheries management and conservation are impossible without properly empowered, supported, and protected enforcement officers.
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