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Atlantic Canada’s fisheries sector contributes billions of dollars to Canada’s national economy. In 2003, the export of fish and seafood products from Atlantic Canada and Quebec was valued at $3.5 billion. This industry is a steady source of prosperity for more than 600 rural and Aboriginal communities on Canada’s East Coast.
In spite of these impressive numbers, challenges continue to exist in our fisheries. There are threats to conservation and stock rebuilding, some fisheries management policies lack clarity and coherence and there’s too much dependence on the Minister and the Department for decision-making.
The reality is that the government’s policies have not kept pace with changing times or the changing conditions in the fisheries. To address this situation, Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) launched the Atlantic Fisheries Policy Review (AFPR) in 1999. The objective was to produce a new vision of how the Atlantic fisheries can be managed. The process included consultations with provincial and territorial governments, Aboriginal groups, the fishing industry and others. It is the most extensive public consultation process ever undertaken by DFO.
Throughout the consultations, participants repeated that in making decisions, the federal government needs to develop a process that is clear, transparent and involves input from resource users. They also proved time and again that they are ready, willing and able to take on greater roles in the future of their industry. DFO has been working hard to create a framework that harnesses their energy.
That collective energy and hard work came to fruition earlier today when I announced a new policy framework for the management of fisheries on Canada’s Atlantic Coast. This framework is an impressive accomplishment, the culmination of the comments and recommendations offered by the hundreds of men and women who participated in the AFPR consultations.
It presents clear objectives to guide decision-making in the Atlantic fisheries. It places conservation of the resource as the priority, sets the path for greater industry self-reliance, establishes transparent rules-based processes for decision-making and encourages a greater role for resource users and others.
Some of the elements of this new framework include an independent and viable fleet of inshore fishers, longer-term, more stable sharing arrangements, multi-year fisheries management plans focused on conservation and risk-management and policies to promote the viability and self-reliance of the industry.
To put these ideas and concepts into action, there must be ongoing cooperation with the provinces and Nunavut, communities, Aboriginal groups and industry. All at a pace of change that is acceptable to those involved.
This is the way to greater stability. Decisions will become more predictable and acceptable for resource users. And fleets will be able to foresee that they will benefit from their investments in conservation and responsible fishing.
Again, I would like to thank the hundreds of men and women who participated in the AFPR. I am convinced that by continuing to work together, we can make the most of the precious resources available to us, while protecting them for future generations.
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Brian Underhill
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa
(613) 992-3474 |
Christiane Parcigneau
Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa
(613) 998-1530 |
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