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ST. JOHN'S – The Honourable Geoff Regan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today announced the appointment of the members of a new Advisory Panel on the Sustainable Management of Straddling Fish Stocks in the Northwest Atlantic. The announcement was made during the Minister’s speech to the St. John’s Board of Trade.
Dr. Arthur May, President Emeritus at Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, will chair the advisory panel. The other two members will be the Chief Executive Officer of Fishery Products International, Derrick Rowe, and the Dean of Dalhousie School of Law, Dawn Russell.
"Dr. May is a fisheries scientist with extensive experience in fishery research and management," said Minister Regan. "With the support of Mr. Rowe and
Prof. Russell, I am confident that Dr. May will provide the Government with innovative advice regarding the sustainable management of fish stocks which straddle Canada’s Exclusive Economic Zone and the high seas."
The three-member panel has been mandated to provide advice to the Government of Canada on how to reduce overfishing and avoid the ecological destruction of straddling stocks in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Regulatory Area (NRA). Specifically, they have been tasked to recommend enduring solutions that address both short- and long-term fisheries governance issues, while informing Canada’s broader strategy to achieve sustainable use of the world’s oceans. They have also been asked to provide advice regarding how to achieve more effective coastal State rights on the management of these straddling fish stocks.
"As a coastal State, Canada must be assured of an effective management regime for the resources in its offshore waters," said Minister Regan. "This is essential for the protection and rebuilding of fish stocks at risk and to ensure the long-term sustainability of the fishery for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians – and all Canadians."
The panel will have a term of three months to consult experts and stakeholders on international oceans and fisheries’ governance, including key academic, industry, and legal experts. At the same time, it will be required to study recent work conducted in this area, including the
outcomes of the round table on overfishing held in February 2003 in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. Following the consultative process, the panel will provide a written report to the Ministers of Fisheries and Oceans and Foreign Affairs, which will then be released to the public.
In May 2004, the Government of Canada announced significant investments to enhance enforcement and diplomatic actions to address overfishing in the NRA, as part of a new federal strategy to combat global overfishing and to improve international fisheries governance. The creation of the Advisory Panel is a key deliverable in this strategy.
Backgrounder
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
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Christiane Parcigneau
Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa
(613) 998-1530
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Brian Underhill
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa
(613) 992-3474 |
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