Vancouver / February 2, 2012 – Peggy Nash, MP Parkdale—High Park and NDP leadership candidate, put out today a comprehensive strategy to protect wild salmon habitat and support sustainable fisheries and aquaculture.

“The Harper Conservatives have failed our coasts, failed our fisheries, and failed our local economies,” said Nash. A comprehensive report released Thursday by the Royal Society of Canada clearly outlined Canada’s failure to protect marine biodiversity and called for new action to manage and preserve our vital fisheries.

“I will fight for our fragile ocean and coastal ecosystems, and I will respect the voices of British Columbians advocating on their behalf.”

“Coastal wildlife and communities deserve better.”

In addition to addressing the root causes of salmon habitat decline by fighting fossil fuel projects like the Enbridge Pipeline and tanker traffic off the North Coast, Nash’s plan will foster vibrant local economies and good jobs by ending subsidies to big polluters and redirecting those resources to support community economic development. She also proposes to collaborate with First Nations communities to support a British Columbian sustainable wild fishery and finfish aquaculture industry.

“We don’t have to choose between the economy and the environment,” added Nash. “Under my leadership, the NDP – and the next government – will prove that a healthy environment is an essential part of building a healthy economy.”

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Protecting Wild Salmon Habitat and Supporting Sustainable Fisheries & Aquaculture