RESPONSIBILITIES

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.