CanFISH Gear Lending Program Support
Publix supports the CanFISH Gear Lending Program
-
“With the help of the Bycatch Solutions Hub, we’ve been connected with funders who are helping to promote fisheries sustainability through the use of safer fishing gear for wildlife in Canada through our CanFISH Lending Program.”
The CanFISH Gear Lending program is a fisheries assistance program that provides ropeless systems free of charge to fishers in New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia, Canada, during temporary closures designed to protect North Atlantic Right Whales. Through this service, CanFISH is protecting the Canadian crab fishing industry and the snow crab harvester’s way of life, while promoting safe fishing methods for the critically endangered North Atlantic Right Whale (NARW).
In its first year, the CanFISH program supported 10 harvesters with ropeless gear at no cost, resulting in over 370,000lbs of snow crab landed. Overall, over 930,000lbs of snow crab has been landed using on-demand gear in the Canadian fishery. The success of the program has resulted in a waitlist of harvesters wanting to join. They have expanded their gear inventory, but inventory is still limited and the expansion requires additional operational costs. Through supporting operational costs, Publix, along with many other collaborators, is protecting harvester livelihood and ensuring the safety of NARW in the region.
Support the CanFISH Program
Contact the CanFISH program to learn more about how to support their important work.