At-Sea Mentoring Initiative

The At-Sea Mentoring Initiative is offered by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) in collaboration with First Nations. It aims at helping the Mi'kmaq and Maliseet First Nations affected by the Marshall Response Initiative to :

• further develop skills to fish safely and effectively in various fisheries;
• diversify the catch in the inshore fishery, improving overall fishing skills in the mid-shore fishery; and
• learn vessel maintenance.

In order to increase proficiency in the commercial fishery and to improve the chances of success, mentors will help inshore and mid-shore fishers, fisheries captains and deckhands improve their skills at sea, during the fishing season.

Eligibility Criteria

Must be a Mi'kmaq and Maliseet First Nations affected by the Marshall Response Initiative.

Eligible Area

The provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and the Gaspé region of Québec.

Deadline

2008-03-31

Summary

The cost of the initiative will be shared with First Nations, with their share to be increase over time. DFO will contribute a total of $6 million over four years, from April 2004 until March 31, 2008. After this date, First Nations will assume the full cost of mentoring in their fisheries.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information, please visit DFO's Web site. For more information on how to make an application, please see their step-by-step guide.

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National Contact(s):
Kevin Fram
Director, Special Projects
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Station 14N 173
Centennial Towers
200 Kent Street
Ottawa, Ontario  K1A 0E6
Telephone: 613-993-3096
Fax: 613-990-1866
TTY (hearing impaired): 613-941-6517
E-mail: info@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/home-accueil_e.htm
Hours of operation: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday (Eastern time).