Fisheries and Aquaculture
February 15, 2010
Federal
and Atlantic Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers Work
Together
to Improve the Atlantic Fishing and Aquaculture Industry
Federal, provincial and
territorial fisheries and aquaculture ministers
concluded the annual meeting of the Atlantic Council of
Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers (ACFAM) today with
agreement to move forward with concrete action on a
broad range of issues, including seal management,
Atlantic lobster, and the Canadian Shellfish Sanitation
Program. The meeting was co-chaired by the Honourable
Gail Shea, federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, and
the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Fisheries and
Aquaculture for Newfoundland and Labrador.
In addition to Ministers
Shea and Jackman, ministers responsible for fisheries
and aquaculture in New Brunswick (Rick Doucet and Ronald
Ouellette), Nova Scotia (Sterling Belliveau), Prince
Edward Island (Neil LeClair) and Nunavut (Daniel
Shewchuk), and the Parliamentary Assistant from Quebec
(Georges Mamelonet) attended the ACFAM meeting.
"Governments are working
together to continue to improve Atlantic fisheries and
aquaculture management and support the livelihood of
many Atlantic Canadians," said Minister Shea. "We are
collaborating on three major areas of interest and
seeing genuine progress on these initiatives."
"I am very happy to have
met my federal and Atlantic counterparts here in Halifax
for the ACFAM meeting," said Minister Jackman. "Given
the global economic situation, there is a strong need to
focus on common goals and actions that can support the
fishing and aquaculture industries."
At today's meeting,
ministers mapped out key priorities and deliverables
that will contribute to a sustainable seal industry.
They agreed to collaborate on projects such as market
development, broadening the array of seal products
available for market and methods to strengthen the
professionalism of the industry.
Ministers also discussed
issues related to the world economic situation. They
expressed concern about the impact on a range of
fisheries, some of which may continue to experience
market challenges. Consequently, ministers tasked their
officials to work together to improve program
coordination and communication with the fishing
industry. In the case of the lobster fishery, ministers
instructed officials to establish a working group to
closely monitor the fishery and to increase
co-ordination among governments on programs to assist
this industry.
Ministers agreed to work
towards a regionally harmonized fish health program to
address important challenges in the finfish aquaculture
sector.
The Canadian Shellfish
Sanitation Program ensures the marketability of safe
shellfish for domestic and international markets.
Ministers were informed of the results of a review of
emergency closure procedures intended to strengthen
communications protocols. The success of the updated
procedures depends on the participation and
collaboration of all levels of government and shellfish
processors and harvesters.
"Together, we made great
progress on the priorities we need to focus on in the
coming years," said Minister Shea. "I am very pleased
with the discussion that took place, and I look forward
to the productive collaboration that lies ahead."
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Media contacts:
Alain Belle-Isle
Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa
613-993-5413 |
Lori Lee Oates
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
709-729-3733, 690-8403
oatesll@gov.nl.ca
|
Nancy Bishay
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
613-992-3474 |
|
2010 02 15
4:35 p.m.
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