Fisheries and Aquaculture
July 8, 2014

Collaborating to Advance the Fishing and Aquaculture Industries

Minister Comments on Meetings of Canadian Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers

The Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, recently attended meetings of the Canadian Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers (CCFAM) and the Atlantic Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers (ACFAM) to discuss matters of common interest.

“It was valuable to gather with my counterparts from other jurisdictions to share insights and build consensus on a wide range of topics including aquaculture regulation, labour supply issues, approaches to managing aquatic invasive species, international trade developments, and issues related to the advancement of the seal industry.”
- The Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture

During the meetings, the Federal Government proposed new aquaculture activities regulations aimed at simplifying the process of approving and using treatments for disease and parasites, which in turn advances fish health and safeguards the environment.

“Aquaculture is a growing industry in Newfoundland and Labrador with huge potential based on the world consumption of farmed fish, which now stands at 50 per cent of the world’s seafood consumption. It is important to have meaningful discussions about federal aquaculture regulations, and we share the Federal Government’s commitment to continuous improvement. In our province, we are in the process of updating the provincial aquaculture strategy using feedback received from consultations. This update to our strategy will build on a provincial regulatory regime that was deemed the strongest in Canada when the Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences of the Atlantic Veterinary College at UPEI conducted national research in 2010.”
- Minister Hutchings

Labour shortages in the processing sector were also a focus of discussions at the meetings. This was noted as a key concern by maritime provinces, and is a developing issue in Newfoundland and Labrador. Ministers shared information about their experiences to date with this challenge, and ways of addressing the issue.

At meetings of the Atlantic Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers, a focus of discussion was the recent ruling by the World Trade Organization (WTO) Appellate Body on the European Union’s ban on seal products. Ministers noted they were pleased that the Appelate Body’s decision found aspects of the seal product ban to be inconsistent with the European Union’s WTO trade obligations, and will watch carefully as they try to implement compliance with the decision. However, all ministers expressed disappointment that the decision upheld the position that the import ban on seal products can remain in place based on the necessity to protect public morals. All agreed to continue promoting the industry throughout the world as a sustainable and humane hunt that utilizes an abundant natural resource.

Ontario will host the next meeting of the Canadian Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers meeting in 2015.

QUICK FACTS

• Minister Keith Hutchings recently attended CCFAM and ACFAM meetings in Calgary, Alberta, to discuss matters of common interest among Canadian fisheries and aquaculture ministers.
• CCFAM was formed in September 1999 to enhance collaboration between the Federal Government and Provincial Governments on issues related to fisheries and aquaculture.
• ACFAM has a similar goal, but comprises fisheries and aquaculture ministers from Newfoundland and Labrador, the Maritime Provinces, Quebec, Nunavut and the Federal Government.

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Media contact: Jason Card Director of Communications Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture 709-729-3733, 699-0470 jasoncard@gov.nl.ca

2014 07 08         3:15 p.m.