SHIP-SOURCE OIL POLLUTION COMPENSATION FOR DAMAGES TO FISHERS, AQUACULTURISTS, AND ALL INVOLVED IN RELATED ACTIVITIES
Did you know that there is a federal Fund that compensates those who suffer damages caused by any type of oil, from any type of ship or boat, anywhere in Canadian waters? All involved in the “fishing sectors”
, from catch or harvest to consumption or use can benefit from the Ship-source Oil Pollution Fund (the Fund).
Over the past 30 years, the Fund has received very few claims from the fishing sectors: less than 1% of the total amount paid from the Fund. We are therefore increasing our outreach efforts!
This presentation, based on the Fund’s Handbook,
is a starting point for a broad audience across the fishing sectors, including workers and business-owners, Indigenous communities, and those pursuing commercial and non-commercial activities, both in fresh and salt water.
This presentation will be useful to all engaged in any of the following activities:
- Fishing
- Aquaculture and Mariculture
- Harvesting
- Hunting of animals
- Processing, preparation, packaging, and distribution
- Tourism and hospitality
- Management of ports, harbours, or marinas
- Subsistence living
While those in the fishing sectors can benefit from the Fund as claimants, ships used by the sectors can also cause oil pollution. For instance, fishing vessels have been responsible for one in four claims submitted to the Fund over the last 30 years. Once we pay a claimant, we take all reasonable measures to recover from the responsible person — this is the “polluter pays principle”.
