Yellowknife, NWT - Federal, provincial and territorial Ministers
gathered in Yellowknife this week for the annual meeting of the Canadian Council
of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers (CCFAM). The meeting was held in
conjunction with natural resource and environment council meetings, which also
took place this week.
The meeting was co-chaired by J. Michael Miltenberger, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources for the Northwest Territories, and Loyola Hearn, federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO).
"We are pleased to host this national meeting that brings together fisheries and aquaculture Ministers to meet with their colleagues in the other natural resource and environment councils," said Minister Miltenberger. "We live in a vast country with many issues of common concern."
"This was a particularly important meeting," said Minister Hearn. "The fishing and aquaculture industries across Canada are facing unprecedented challenges. My colleagues and I recognize the need to work together to find tangible solutions to these challenges. For Canada to be competitive internationally, collaboration between all levels of government and industry is essential."
CCFAM opened with two guest speakers invited by Ministers to provide a global perspective. Mr. John Sackton of Seafood.com discussed the impact of the globalization of seafood on producing countries. Ms. Janne Johnsen spoke to Ministers on Norway's best practices for sustainable fisheries and aquaculture management and development. Ms. Johnsen is a former State Secretary for the Royal Norwegian Ministry of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs.
"We rolled up our sleeves and had a very frank and open exchange of ideas," said Minister Hearn. "New and innovative ways of working together in competitive markets were discussed - ideas that focus on increasing the value of fish and seafood, from water to table."
On day two of the meeting, Ministers discussed the modernization of the current Fisheries Act.
Provincial and territorial Ministers urged that changes to the Act be introduced in Parliament which would focus on fostering enhanced federal-provincial-territorial collaboration and help promote a stable, transparent and predictable decision making environment. A new Act would recognize the important role that provinces and territories play in the management and development of Canada's fisheries.
CCFAM Task Groups presented their reports and workplans were approved for the coming year. In 2007/08, CCFAM task groups will continue to work toward controlling invasive species, coordination in the protection of species at risk, implementing Canada's Oceans Action Plan and overseeing the implementation of a National Freshwater Fisheries Strategy.
Aquaculture Ministers also accepted and expressed their support for the content of the Aquaculture Task Group Co-Chairs Report on the Aquaculture Framework Agreement (AFA). Provincial and territorial Ministers expressed their desire to begin negotiations and consultations on an AFA as soon as possible.
The Canadian Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers meets annually to review the progress of its Task Groups and work collaboratively on fisheries and aquaculture issues of mutual interest. CCFAM will hold its next annual meeting in the fall of 2007 in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Sophie Galarneau
Manager, Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa
(613) 990-7537
Steve Outhouse
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa
(613) 992-3474
Judy McLinton
Manager, Public Affairs and Communications
Environment and Natural Resources
Government of the Northwest Territories
(867) 873-7379
