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August 22, 1997
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)

Summit to stress integration of marine policy

A forum on "Fisheries Science in Relation to Fisheries Management" will be a highlight of the core conference of the international Summit of the Sea to be held in St. John's from September 1 to 6.

Hosted by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the forum is but one component of a highly-diversified international oceans policy conference. While the summit has a prominent fisheries orientation, it will focus on the interrelationships of marine pursuits, and the need for globally-integrated policies.

"The interrelationship of ocean exploitation and oceans policy development, for all marine sectors, will be a pivotal focus for the Summit of the Sea," says Dr. Ches Blackwood, chairman of the Summit of the Sea Board of Trustees. "Integrated coastal zone management has become the key phrase in oceans management, whether the issue is construction of offshore oil transhipment facilities or migratory fish stocks."

Blackwood notes that many players in the marine sector, including scientists, environmentalists, geologists, fishers and policy makers have relevant contributions to make in reaching a comprehensive understanding of ocean management, and a dramatic cross-section of marine policy makers will join with local and national delegates for the Summit of the Sea.

Summit speakers and panel participants include William O'Neil, secretary-general of the International Maritime Organization, Satya N. Nandan, secretary general of the International Seabed Authority, Dr. Hiroshi Ohba, chairman and CEO of Kawasaki Heavy Industries, and

Dr. Ian Townsend-Gault, a petroleum policy authority with the University of British Columbia.

"Marine initiatives cannot be pursued in isolation," he says. "One sector's endeavours, and the policies which govern them, will have profound ramifications for many, many other sectors."

Blackwood notes that the collapse of the Northern cod stocks has been described as an ecological, economic and social disaster for Newfoundland and Labrador.

"The conference will develop and recommend to national and international governments, policy advice on sustainable oceans development, to minimize the risk of future ecological tragedies," he says.

Blackwood cautions that prudence must be the watchword for emerging marine initiatives in Newfoundland and Labrador.

"Coastal and marine economic activity in Newfoundland and Labrador is growing, an offshore oil industry has been established, Newfoundland marine expertise and research is exported worldwide, oil transhipment facilities will be built, aquaculture is growing and new fisheries are being pursued," he says.

However, Blackwood stresses that if these new initiatives are to be developed in harmony with each other, in Newfoundland and Labrador and throughout the world, an integrated procedure of ocean policy development must become the norm.

"Our future, like our past, is linked to the sea, and mistakes of the past cannot be repeated," Blackwood notes. "Appropriate research and technology, along with enlightened and integrated policies and regulations, are essential for sustainable oceans development, and the Summit of the Sea will contribute significantly to that goal."

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The Summit of the Sea is one of several major events which have been developed in conjunction with Newfoundland and Labrador's Cabot 500 Anniversary Celebrations. The core conference runs from September 1 to 6 in St. John's, with a series of related conferences and forums taking place in St. John's between September 1 and September 19.

The summit will open on September 1 with a special Memorial University of Newfoundland convocation at the St. John's Arts and Culture, with key-note addresses by Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Brian Tobin, and Vigdis Finnbogadottir, past president of Iceland.

Full conference information and registration forms can be obtained by calling (709) 729-1997.

Contact:

David Finn
Conference Coordinator
The Summit of the Sea
(709) 729-4537

Doug Burgess
Cabot 500 Anniversary Celebrations
(709) 729-4247