This petition asks the federal government to legalize recreational breath-hold (freedive) spearfishing in the tidal waters of the Maritime Provinces, with appropriate rules on species, seasons, and catch limits.

The Maritime Provinces Fishery Regulations (SOR/93-55) govern fishing in Nova Scotia and adjacent tidal waters;

Those federal regulations already recognize spears as a lawful recreational fishing method for certain species, including eel, smelt and tomcod;

Recreational spearfishing is the most sustainable fishing method, as it allows the fisher to identify the individual healthy fish before harvesting it, and thus inherently creates virtually no litter, bycatch, or unnecessary harm to the environment when regulated properly;

Spearfishing is permitted as a regulated recreational fishing method in other Canadian provinces and jurisdictions; and

Maritimers should have access to recreational fishing methods that can be appropriately managed while maintaining existing conservation objectives, seasons, size limits and catch limits.

We, the undersigned,citizens and residents of Canada, call upon theGovernment of Canadato:1. Amend the Maritime Provinces Fishery Regulations and/or the Atlantic Fishery Regulations to establish recreational breath-hold (freedive) spearfishing as a permitted fishing method in the tidal waters of the Maritime Provinces, including both near shore and offshore, for the same species’ that angling is permitted for, subject to appropriate species-specific seasons, size limits, catch limits, conservation closures, safety considerations, and other measures deemed necessary by Fisheries and Oceans Canada; and 2. Consult with local recreational fishers, commercial fishers, spearfishers, First Nation communities, conservation organizations, and other affected stakeholders when developing the regulatory framework for recreational spearfishing.