Meeting of Eastern Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers

Charlottetown, PEI – August 13, 2024 – The Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Québec, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador convened on Tuesday, August 13^th, 2024, in Charlottetown to address pressing issues facing the eastern Canadian fisheries and aquaculture sectors.

The meeting, initially planned with the full participation of the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, was an important opportunity to collaborate on a range of vital issues affecting the sectors. The ministers expressed their disappointment at the federal minister’s withdrawal and emphasized the need for timely engagement and collaboration, while working together on behalf of their respective governments and the industry.

Key topics discussed during the meeting included:

Improved Federal-Provincial Communication and Collaboration: Ministers stressed the need for enhanced government-to-government communication and collaboration between federal and provincial governments to effectively address the challenges and opportunities in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors. Moreover, the ministers echoed the position of the premiers, expressed during the July Council of the Federation meeting, that fisheries resources currently overseen by the federal government be jointly managed. A respectful and collaborative approach is crucial for the long-term success and sustainability of the industry.

Renewal of the Atlantic Fisheries Fund (AFF) and Quebec Fisheries Fund (QFF): Ministers called on the federal government for the immediate renewal, with new investments, of the AFF and QFF to continue supporting innovation and sustainability in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors. They emphasized that timely renewal and maintaining the flexibility of both the eligibility criteria and funding priorities, is essential for maintaining momentum in the industry’s growth and development.

Shrimp Industry Crisis: Ministers discussed the ongoing crisis facing the shrimp industry, highlighting the financial difficulties and challenges that shrimpers are experiencing. They called for the federal government to work with provincial governments and industry to identify potential solutions and to consider a support plan for any fishery facing hardship.

Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program (CSSP) Support: Ministers highlighted the need for increased federal support and priority for the delivery of the CSSP to ensure timely access to our shellfish resources while maintaining the safety and quality of our Canadian shellfish products, which are crucial for both domestic consumption and international trade.

Support for Eastern Aquaculture: Ministers underscored the importance of supporting aquaculture on the east coast, differentiating it from British Columbia where the federal government will be releasing a plan to transition from marine net pen salmon farming by 2029. Ministers called for the federal government to respect provincial jurisdiction in this area. Continued stability and certainty for investors and existing businesses are paramount.

Enforcement and Unauthorized Fishing Activities: Ministers raised concerns about illegal and unreported catch, particularly in the lobster and elver fisheries. They emphasized the need for increased enforcement for all fisheries by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) and their federal enforcement counterparts, to ensure the sustainability and legality of these valuable resources. Enhanced federal enforcement measures are critical to protecting the integrity of the fisheries and supporting the livelihoods of those who depend on them.

The five ministers remain hopeful the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard will meet with them soon to work in partnership on these critical issues. The ministers reiterated that a collaborative approach is necessary to address the complex and interrelated challenges facing the eastern Canadian fisheries and aquaculture sectors.

For more information, please contact:

Violet MacLeod
Nova Scotia
902-483-9860
violet.macleod@novascotia.ca

Sophie J. Barma
Quebec
581 993-5016
sophie.jacques-barma@mapaq.gouv.qc.ca

April Gallant
Prince Edward Island
aldgallant@gov.pe.ca
902-314-2753

Mark Taylor
New Brunswick
mark.taylor@gnb.ca
506-471-3827

John Tompkins
Newfoundland and Labrador
709-729-3733
jtompkins@gov.nl.ca