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ST. JOHN’S,NL – The Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries
and Oceans, today announced a $50,000 cooperative effort between Fisheries and Oceans
Canada (DFO) and the Fish, Food and Allied Workers (FFAW) union to document offshore
Traditional Ecological Knowledge.
This project , which is equally cost shared, complements ongoing efforts by DFO
to continue to engage the fishing industry in ocean management. It will include
participation by fishers involved in the offshore fishery and collect information
related to their activities, experiences and traditions.
Minister Hearn said, "I believe that the first hand knowledge of those involved
in the offshore fishery provides some of the most valuable data we have. This cooperative
effort will develop a fisheries information archive that will expand over time,
and contribute significantly to the management of oceans resources in offshore areas."
FFAW/CAW Secretary-Treasurer David Decker said the Union supports efforts to
capture the traditional knowledge of harvesters. "Harvesters have a tremendous wealth
of knowledge and our Union believes strongly that this knowledge must be documented
or we will be in danger of losing it as people retire from the industry or as the
fishery changes. Documenting the traditional knowledge of harvesters in the over
35’ and under 65’ fleets will help guide future fisheries management decisions,"
he said.
DFO is pleased to partner with FFAW. The results of this project will create
a foundation for continued involvement of the over 35’ and under 65’ fleets in oceans
management. It will provide valuable information which will contribute to DFO’s
ongoing efforts with integrated management.
Integrated oceans management for sustainable development is one of four key components
of the Government of Canada’s Oceans Action Plan (OAP) released in May, 2005.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
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Steve Outhouse
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa
(613) 992-3474
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Jan Woodford
Regional Director, Communications
Newfoundland & Labrador
(709)-772-7622 |
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NR-NL-07-14E |
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