Fisheries and Aquaculture
June 7, 2007

DFO and DFA Work Together to Manage Ocean and Coastal Areas

The Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, and the Honourable Tom Rideout, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, today announced the first steps in the development of a Provincial Oceans Policy for Newfoundland and Labrador.

Both federal and provincial departments will work together to assess coastal and oceans issues, with the assessment providing a key part of the new policy framework and strategic plan.

The project is an issues scan of specific coastal and oceans areas of Newfoundland and Labrador and will contribute to the development of a final provincial strategy to be released in 2008.

Both governments will share the $51,000 cost of the project, with Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) contributing $41,000 and the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture (DFA) contributing $10,000.

"Government and stakeholders at all levels play a role in planning and managing activities in Canada�s oceans," said Minister Hearn. "I am pleased to be working with the provincial Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture on an initiative of such great importance to the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. This analysis will be very helpful in the planning process for the Placentia Bay and the Grand Banks ocean management area."

"The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador recognizes the need for our province to play an active role in the management of ocean and coastal areas. This is an important first step in that direction." said Minister Rideout. "This project will build on the work of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans in this area and lead the way for future collaborations with respect to oceans and coastal management."

Integrated ocean management is a decision-making process that relies on bringing together diverse stakeholders and information to determine how ocean and coastal resources and areas should be managed. It draws upon the collective views, experience and knowledge of the participants to solve problems that may extend beyond their traditional roles and responsibilities. As well, it integrates social, economic, technical and scientific information to help resource management agencies like the DFO and DFA make informed decisions.

Under the federal government�s Oceans Action Plan, support has been previously provided for provincial integrated coastal management areas in the province, including the Northern Peninsula, Bay St. George, Coast of Bays, and Placentia Bay, and, in partnership with the Atlantic Coastal Action Program (ACAP), the Bay of Islands. These initiatives are community based with representation from key stakeholders including industry, regional economic development boards, non-government organizations and Aboriginal groups, with assistance from DFO and the province.

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Media contacts:

Jan Woodford
Regional Director of Communications
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
(709) 772-7622
woodfordj@dfo-mpo.gc.ca 
//www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Lori Lee Oates
Director of Communications
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
(709) 729-3733
oatesll@gov.nl.ca 
//www.fishaq.gov.nl.ca

2007 06 07                                                 3:30 p.m.

 


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