The sectoral organization of DFO has required the creation of a policy
and planning group to coordinate regional policies and to respond to issues
or problems that pertain to the development of the aquaculture industry.
The Aquaculture Coordination Office (ACO) reports to Regional Director
General and is a part of the corporate sector. This ensures appropriate
regional staff from all sectors, i.e. Science, Fisheries Management, Coast
Guard, etc. are consulted and made aware of current and emerging aquaculture
issues.
The ACO consists of professional staff who are responsible for ensuring
sectoral requirements are incorporated in regional aquaculture policies
and for identifying and responding to requests from federal and provincial
agencies, other DFO regions and Headquarters, aquaculture producers and
associations, and the general public. The ACO Director serves as the DFO
Maritimes Region Aquaculture Coordinator and in this capacity is a member
of the national DFO Aquaculture Committee which overviews the departmental
aquaculture program.
REGULATORY REFORM
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans is reviewing its regulations
that pertain to aquaculture and developing new regulations and policies
for the aquaculture sector. Some of the initiatives include:
-
Permission to market "cocktail size" oysters
-
Code of Practice for containment of caged salmon
-
Access by aquaculturists to Fisheries Resources
-
Amendments to Fish Health Protection Regulations
-
Coordination of cost recovery measures for aquaculture
DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK
DFO works with other stakeholders to develop the aquaculture industry.
Strategies at the national, provincial and industry level have been developed
as well as mechanisms for implementation. Some examples in the Maritime
Region include:
-
Federal Aquaculture Development Strategy
-
Provincial Aquaculture Development Strategies
-
Federal/Provincial MOUs on Aquaculture Development
-
ACOA Development Strategy for Aquaculture
-
Canada/Nova Scotia Cooperation Agreement on Economic Diversification
(Aquaculture)
-
New Finfish Species Aquaculture Development Program (Canada/NB/NS)
-
Aquaculture Development Committees in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia
-
Aquaculture Implementation Committees (AIC) in all provinces.
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© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, 1998,
1999, 2000 as represented by the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans.
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