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St. John’s NL – Today the Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, held a roundtable in Arnold’s Cove to address current issues in Placentia Bay. The roundtable brought stakeholders together to discuss the growing industrialization of Placentia Bay. In particular, the objectives were to identify the key challenges in the interaction of marine shipping with the commercial fishery sector and to offer an opportunity for stakeholders to present their concerns and insights.
"Today we heard from people representing diverse industries and interests, and though there were differing and often passionate perspectives brought to the table, they all shared a desire to safeguard the opportunities and resources of Placentia Bay," said Minister Hearn. "Canada’s New Government is committed to working together with the community to protect the habitat and resources of this area, and to find balance in the diverse uses of this bay."
"We have agreed that further discussion on the issues of Placentia Bay will be addressed as a part of the work of the Placentia Bay-Grand Banks Large Ocean Management Area committee, which is scheduled to have its first meeting in November," added Minister Hearn.
Included in the roundtable was an update on the continued work of the Government of Canada to manage and protect resources in Placentia Bay, a discussion of invasive species, such as green crab, and an opportunity for stakeholders to present their concerns and insights.
Attendance included fish harvesters, representatives from industry, key stakeholders and government.
Large Ocean Management Areas (LOMA) are part of an integrated management approach to Canada’s oceans. Integrated management between government and stakeholders is key to managing a wide range of oceans activities to protect fragile ecosystems. The aim is to work collaboratively on common objectives that are based on a greater understanding of ocean ecosystems and of their socio-economic value, to better manage oceans activities and to determine where special measures are necessary to protect biologically and ecologically significant areas. There are five LOMAs identified off Canada’s west, north and east coasts including one off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador. The LOMA committee members for this region consist of many of the stakeholders from Placentia Bay.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
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Erika Pittman
Communications Officer
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
(709) 772-7626
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Steve Outhouse
Communications Director
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa
(613) 992-3474 |
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NR-NL-07-40E |
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