The Canadian Maritimes: A Delicate Balance Between Industry and Environment
By: Obii Udemgba
As someone who has visited the Maritimes (Halifax, Nova Scotia to be exact), I remember being awestruck simply by the beauty of the scenery. Seeing how lively and dynamic the environment surrounding the Atlantic Ocean stunned me, and to this day, I cannot wait to revisit the province. This is, in part why I care so deeply about the Maritimes and its aquatic environment. Not only is it a staple of Canadian culture and economy but it is an important aspect of the human experience. Connection to nature and what exists on Earth is essential for the growth of human beings as a whole, and, in my opinion, I believe that this aspect of Canadian society should be held in great regard. The Canadian Maritimes are an invaluable part of Canadian society, both past and present, and should be treated accordingly.
The fishing industry of the Canadian Maritimes is a vital part of Canada’s past and present economy. In 2021, Canada exported approximately $8.79 billion in fish in seafood products to nearly 140 countries worldwide, which makes it among the seven largest seafood exporters in the world. According to Canada Action, in 2020, over eleven thousand individuals were employed in fishing-related jobs in New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador, demonstrating that the Canadian fishing industry not only supports a significant portion of the national economy, but also provides employment opportunities for many people residing in the Maritime provinces. This economic progress is clearly beneficial to Canada financially, as it provides steady employment for many while creating lucrative export. However, this raises the question, what do these large advancements in the fishing industry mean for the future of aquatic ecosystems in the Canadian Maritimes, considering the lessons of the past?
Aside from the economic benefits of a largely successful fishing industry, it is important to consider the environmental impact of such large advancements. Overexploitation of sought-after marine life is extremely common, which leads to the endangerment of species such as the Blue Whale and the Leatherback Sea Turtle, according to Fisheries Canada. The overexploitation of these species causes problems that also affect other types of marine life, as genetic diversity within aquatic ecosystems is reduced, and biodiversity is severely challenged. However, this is not simple enough to be explained in a few short sentences. When thousands, even millions of people rely on these aquatic species for nutrition, or as their livelihoods, it is not as easy as asserting that the overexploitation of these species must simply “stop.” This is a more intricate issue that must be examined thoroughly and thoughtfully.
To begin with, trawling is one of the more evident issues. Defined in Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary as “a large conical net dragged along the sea bottom in gathering fish or other marine life,” trawling can be extremely harmful to many aquatic organisms. It often gathers too many fish, resulting in wasteful bycatch, and then returns the undesired fish back to the ocean floor. This is extremely wasteful and harmful to aquatic ecosystems. Another issue largely present with overfishing is the imbalance that it causes in the food web. According to the Government of Canada, an unsustainable rate of fishing may lead to a decline in fish stocks. An example that highlights the destructive impact of human activity on marine ecosystems is the collapse of the Atlantic Canadian Cod fishery in 1992. The excessive fishing led to a severe decline in the cod population, prompting the Canadian government to take the drastic step of shutting down Newfoundland and Labrador's fishing industry during that summer. This moment in history is now widely regarded as a warning sign of the vulnerability of Canada's aquatic ecosystems and the danger of attempting to take advantage of the finite resources found in these regions.
The Canadian Maritimes' aquatic ecosystems are affected not only by overfishing, but also by water pollution. Coastal marine waters experience pollution when large discharges of energy or material invade aquatic ecosystems, which, in turn, negatively affects the marine organisms living there. In the Atlantic water region, areas with high population density, as well as agricultural industries often have poor water quality. This speaks to the negative effects that anthropogenic activities have on marine ecosystems and the dangers of allowing too much human activity to permeate into the order of the natural world. Fortunately, Canada has many systems put into place in order to protect aquatic ecosystems and their inhabitants, with the government of Canada working to protect endangered species. However, this does not mean that we should be careless about how we treat these regions of the world.
Overall, the Canadian Maritimes offer a valuable lesson on how to maintain healthy ecosystems, without risking the safety of their inhabitants. While it is important to maintain economic stability and progress, we must recognize that this success is finite, and never guaranteed. We must use the mistakes of the past in the Canadian Maritimes, in order to advocate for a better and brighter future. One in which our natural resources are not used solely for our benefit, but rather are respected and deeply valued. It is the responsibility of each and every Canadian citizen to consider the impact of their actions on the aquatic ecosystems of the Canadian Maritimes and to actively advocate for ocean awareness and protection, starting with awareness and education.
