NR-HQ-00-89E

MINISTER DHALIWAL ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENTS TO ADVISORY COUNCIL ON OCEANS

September 17, 2000

OTTAWA -- The Honourable Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today announced the appointment of nine members to the Minister’s Advisory Council on Oceans (MACO) at the 4^th International Coastal Zone Canada 2000 Conference in Saint John, New Brunswick.

"These individuals bring a wide range of knowledge and ocean expertise and have been appointed on the basis of merit, the ability to bring oceans-related knowledge, and a thorough understanding of national and global oceans issues and opportunities. I am very pleased that they have agreed to accept my invitation to sit as Council Members on MACO," Minister Dhaliwal said.

The Council’s Oceans Ambassadors, Dr. Art Hanson and Mr. Geoff Holland, were appointed on June 8, 2000, Oceans Day. Since their appointment, an on-line public nomination process was launched to assist them in developing a list of potential members to sit on the Council. Dr. Hanson and Mr. Holland have also talked to over 350 Canadians representing over 100 organizations as well as a number of other ocean stakeholders to seek views on potential candidates for the Council.

"MACO embodies the spirit of the Oceans Act, which encourages a collaborative approach to oceans management among government, Aboriginal groups, coastal communities, stakeholders and other Canadians. It will assist me to put into practice the important principles of sustainable development, integrated management, and the precautionary approach," the Minister said.

Members may serve on the council for a period of up to 3 years.

Appointed to the Minister’s Advisory Council on Oceans are: Mr. Terry Camsell, Ms. Terri Klassen, Ms. Sabine Jessen, Dr. Jon Lien, Dr. Elisabeth Mann Borgese, Dr. John Nightingale, Mr. Frank Pokiak, Mrs. Denise Verreault, and Mrs. Maureen Yeadon.

"I want to express my appreciation to Dr. Hanson and Mr. Holland for their hard work and their commitment to the pursuit of finding excellent candidates from across Canada for the Council," the Minister stated.

Biographical Notes of the appointees are attached.