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OTTAWA — Geoff Regan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today announced the final phase of national consultations on the proposed DFO amendments to the Marine Mammal Regulations (MMR) with regard to marine mammal viewing. The consultations are an opportunity for the public, stakeholders, First Nations, and environmental groups to provide comments on the proposed amendments to the regulations.
"As we are approaching the last step of finalizing the revisions to the Marine Mammals Regulations, I invite all Canadians to provide input," said Minister Regan. "This is an important opportunity to present your views on what we can do to further protect marine mammals from improper marine mammal viewing activities."
The proposed regulatory amendments were drafted following the Canada-wide consultations that took place in 2003 and 2004. During these consultations Canadians were asked what kind of protection they felt were necessary to protect marine mammals.
DFO will distribute a consultation workbook to organizations with previous involvement in this regulatory amendment. The public, First Nations, stakeholders, and environmental groups are invited to submit their comments, either by fax, mail or electronically, and to access the Marine Mammal Consultations link on the DFO website.
Engaging Canadians in consultations on the proposed amendments to the MMR will help ensure that citizens clearly understand the importance of changing the regulations and how they can play a role in protecting marine mammals. It also provides Canadians with an opportunity to present their views on the tools that DFO will have at its disposal to fulfill its mandate.
To submit your comments or to obtain information on the proposed amendments to the Marine Mammal Regulations, please visit:
http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/mammals-mammiferes/index_e.htm.
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