NLIS 4
July 12, 2002
(Fisheries and Aquaculture)
(Environment)

 

Ministers comment on Canada�s new Oceans Strategy

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador welcomes the release of the Canada Oceans Strategy by the federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. The strategy is an important step toward implementation of the federal Oceans Act, and will contribute greatly to the conservation and sustainable development of our marine resources.

Ministers Reid and Aylward are pleased that the new Oceans Strategy recognizes the important role that the province plays in the management and sustainable development of our ocean resources. The province has a major role in such activities as fisheries development, aquaculture, tourism, marine research and development, oil and gas development, and marine transportation.

The Province of Newfoundland and Labrador has 28,000 kilometres of coastline and an ocean area of 1.1 million square kilometres. More than 90 per cent of the province�s population live on or within a few kilometres of the coast. The marine fishing industry remains a critical component of the provincial economy and culture of our province. As well, new oceans-related activities are emerging, including the oil and gas industry, tourism, marine science and technology, aquaculture, and recreation activities.

"Our coasts and adjacent ocean resources are tremendously important to us," said Gerry Reid, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. "The economic value of these areas and the resources to this province is estimated at $2.6 billion, accounting for 26 per cent of our GDP and 22 per cent of our employment. The new Oceans Strategy will enable us to participate in the management of these resources at a number of levels, including at the community level."

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador supports the three principles of the Oceans Strategy: sustainable development; integrated management; and the precautionary approach. The province will work in partnership with other governments and oceans stakeholders on the main implementation programs, namely Integrated Management; Marine Protected Areas; and Marine Environmental Quality.

"It is significant that the Canada Oceans Strategy refers to �an ecosystem approach.� We have certainly learned in this province, that attempts to manage a fishery or fisheries in isolation from the ecosystem do not work" said Kevin Aylward, Minister of Environment. "I am pleased, too, that there is recognition in the strategy of the role of traditional ecological knowledge in understanding these environments and ecosystems."

"The Oceans Act and the Oceans Strategy highlights the need for collaboration among the federal, provincial and territorial governments," added Minister Reid. "We see the strategy as an important opportunity for the province to actively participate in a number of sustainable development and oceans management issues. To this end, my department is co-chairing a federal/provincial Task Group on the Oceans, and we look forward to working with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and oceans stakeholders on a work plan to implement Canada�s new Oceans Strategy."

Media contact:

Elizabeth Matthews, Communications, Fisheries and Aquaculture, (709) 729-3733, or (709) 727-3438

Cynthia Layden-Barron, Communications, Environment, (709) 729-2575

2002 07 12                             2:35 p.m.


SearchHomeBack to GovernmentContact Us


All material copyright the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. No unauthorized copying or redeployment permitted. The Government assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of any material deployed on an unauthorized server.
Disclaimer/Copyright/Privacy Statement