Opinions regarding the appropriateness of fishing technology often reflect sector interests.
There is less frequently a clear understanding of the conservation aspects of gear use. The purpose of this Subcommittee is to determine, for each harvesting technology, the conservation implications, optimum manner of usage and relative desirability from a resource conservation perspective. This will be based on an objective analysis of historical experience and current evidence concerning habitat impact, gear selectivity, inherent manageability, the potential for improvement or abuse of the technology, and any other relevant considerations. The Fishing Gear Technology Subcommittee will work closely with other experts, within and external to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, involved in research and study of gear technology. In its second phase, the Subcommittee will continue to analyze results from the above-noted discussion paper, and may organize and conduct Gear Technology and Fishery Conservation workshops.