March 26, 2007
OTTAWA -- The Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada
(DFO), today announced the signing of an important and unique agreement with a coalition
of nine major conservation non-governmental organizations to achieve better conservation
and protection of fish and fish habitat.
"This agreement is an excellent opportunity for our government to work collaboratively
with conservation organizations for a more effective and efficient habitat management
program," said Minister Hearn. "Together we can share information and create strong
policies to best conserve fish and protect their habitat."
The agreement was signed this morning by Minister Hearn and representatives of
nine regional/national conservation non-governmental organizations at the Canadian
Museum of Nature. The organizations include the Ducks Unlimited Canada, Atlantic
Salmon Federation, Canadian Wildlife Federation, Nature Canada, Nature Conservancy
of Canada, Pacific Salmon Foundation, Trout Unlimited Canada, National Watershed
Stewardship Coalition, and Wildlife Habitat Canada.
"The partnership established by Fisheries and Oceans Canada and nine conservation
organizations is an important step forward in advancing the conservation of habitat
in watersheds across the country," said Gord Edwards, executive vice-president of
Ducks Unlimited Canada. "By sharing information and working collaboratively on habitat
restoration and management, we will ensure healthy watersheds for generations to
come."
Under the agreement, each organization has appointed a representative to a steering
committee that will work to promote the responsible management of fish habitat.
The conservation organizations will have the opportunity to provide important advice
to the government on issues and policies impacting on the stewardship of fish habitat.
The agreement will also allow for better use of collective resources to deliver
results for the conservation and protection of fish and fish habitat.
"We welcome the opportunity to work with Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the
eight other non-governmental organizations to promote the stewardship of Canada's
watersheds. The NGO community represented in this cooperative agreement will continue
to be a powerful and vocal proponent of healthy fish and their habitat," said Bill
Taylor, president of the Atlantic Salmon Federation.
"Trout Unlimited Canada is pleased to be joining Fisheries and Oceans Canada
and our other national and regional partners in conservation in this coalition,"
stated Douglas Cressman, CEO of Trout Unlimited Canada. "Protection and restoration
of aquatic environments and fish habitat are complicated undertakings, requiring
many good hands and minds and a richness of perspectives. Working together on key
initiatives we can make significant gains in conserving and protecting, clean cold
water for fish and people."
The agreement is part of this government's ongoing commitment to work with a
variety of organizations across the country to raise awareness, provide support
and to actively involve Canadians in habitat management.
The nine conservation non-governmental organizations will work with DFO to promote
integrated watershed plans that address habitat management protection and restoration
priorities, to share information on research and monitoring, and to strengthen an
adaptive management approach to the conservation and protection of fish and fish
habitat.
[ Click on picture for a high resolution image ]
Top row, left to right: David Brackett, Wildlife Habitat Canada; Dennis
O'Grady, National Watershed Stewardship Coalition; George Hungerford, Pacific
Salmon Foundation; Gary Bell, Nature Conservancy of Canada; Doug Cressman, Trout
Unlimited Canada; Colin Maxwell, Canadian Wildlife Federation; Richard Yank,
Nature Canada
Bottom row, left to right: Honourable John Baird, Minister
of Environment; Barry Turner, Ducks Unlimited Canada; Honourable Loyola Hearn,
Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
Missing from photo: Senator Michael Meighen, Atlantic
Salmon Federation
Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans;
Honourable John Baird, Minister of Environment (standing); George Hungerford,
Pacific Salmon Foundation.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Sophie Galarneau
Manager, Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa
613-990-7537
Leigh Patterson
Corporate Media Relations Specialist
Ducks Unlimited Canada
Phone: 204-467-3306
Email: l_patterson@ducks.ca
