Fisheries and Aquaculture
June 5, 2014

The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture:

World Oceans Day 2014 Celebrates Our Connection with the Sea

I rise in this Honourable House to note that this coming Sunday, June 8, is World Oceans Day. This day provides an opportunity to reflect on the significance of the ocean to our environment, our culture, and to our economy.

To recognize this occasion, a special event will be held at the Marine Institute’s Ridge Road campus on Saturday, June 7, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This no cost, family-oriented event will feature touch tanks that allow visitors to view a variety of marine species up close, information booths, face painting, and many other engaging experiences. It will also feature a reading of Invasion of the Green Crab, the third in a series of children’s books produced by the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture aimed at teaching youth about marine environments and the creatures that live within them. In addition to supporting the event, the Provincial Government holds World Oceans Day art and essay contests that engage youth from Kindergarten to Grade 9. This year’s winners for each grade will be announced tomorrow.

Mr. Speaker, this government has a strong appreciation of our province’s connection with the ocean and the importance of marine stewardship. We are the only provincial government in Canada that is solely funding its own offshore fisheries research. Since 2010, the Provincial Government has committed more than $15 million to increase knowledge about the status of groundfish stocks in a changing ecosystem and protect the sustainability of the industry. This includes the work undertaken by the Centre for Fisheries Ecosystems Research aboard the RV Celtic Explorer, a state-of-the-art research vessel that conducts offshore fisheries surveys and other oceanographic research. In addition, in 2011 this government launched the Coastal and Oceans Management Strategy and Policy Framework, which provides long-term strategic direction on the sustainable use of the province’s marine resources and promotes public education in communities throughout the province. In addition to supporting World Ocean’s Day festivities each year, the Provincial Government also assists beach clean ups and promotes other initiatives that increase young people’s appreciation of our province’s coasts and marine areas.

I want to thank the Marine Institute, and all the other partner organizations who came together to make this year’s World Oceans Day celebrations possible. I encourage all Honourable Members to promote this occasion in their respective districts, and help build appreciation for marine stewardship. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

2014 06 05      2:05 p.m.