Canadian Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers (CCFAM)- Ministers’ Meeting

St. Andrews, New  Brunswick – Over the last two days, the Canadian Council of  Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers (CCFAM) met to discuss a broad range of  common priorities including marine conservation, a process to review the Fisheries Act, market access for Canadian  fish and seafood, responsible aquaculture development and aquatic invasive  species. The meeting was co-chaired by the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister  of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, and the Honourable Rick  Doucet, New Brunswick Minister of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries.  Attendees included Ministers responsible for fisheries and aquaculture from  Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Nunavut,  along with representatives from British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba,  Ontario, Quebec, Northwest Territories and Yukon.

CCFAM members shared their priorities and discussed  ways they could work in partnership to advance their goals of economic growth,  strengthening global market access for Canadian fish and seafood products,  including seals, and protecting Canada's oceans, coasts, waterways and  fisheries.

Ministers reiterated their commitment to increase  collaboration on marine protection and to work together to support federal,  provincial and territorial marine conservation targets.

Ministers also discussed the damaging impact of  aquatic invasive species on infrastructure and on the environment and renewed  their commitment to work together to combat aquatic invasive species.

The economic value and potential of Canada's  aquaculture sector was also discussed. Recognizing aquaculture's potential to  create jobs, economic growth and prosperity in remote, rural, coastal and  Indigenous communities, the Ministers reviewed and provided further direction  on a three-year CCFAM Aquaculture Development Strategy. The strategy promotes  strong and environmentally sustainable aquaculture development, responsible  growth and the engagement of stakeholders.

Ministers discussed the process to review changes to  the Fisheries Act announced on June  20th by the Government of Canada which will restore lost protections  to fish and fish habitat and incorporate modern safeguards. Ministers were  assured that consultation will be at the core of this review and that views  will be sought from the provinces and territories, the public, Indigenous  peoples and a range of stakeholders including industry and environmental  groups. Ministers agreed that the full range of opinions would be considered,  and there will be future opportunities to discuss the way forward.

Market access and continued emphasis on high quality Canadian  fish and seafood products was also discussed by CCFAM. Ministers supported the  compilation of an inventory of federal, provincial and territorial financing programs  that specifically support the fish and seafood sector. The dialogue touched on  fish and seafood trade opportunities, as well as recent international efforts  by the federal and provincial governments to promote Canada's fish and seafood  industry (e.g., at key tradeshows). Ministers also discussed the Certification  and Market Access Program for Seals, which supports the commercial seal harvest  and will ensure seal products harvested by Indigenous communities are certified  to be sold internationally, including in the European Union.

Ministers were briefed on the Government of Canada's  Clean Energy Initiative and discussed innovation opportunities in the fisheries  and aquaculture sectors. Innovation and the adoption of clean technology can  improve the efficiency and reputation of any sector.

As the meeting concluded, Ministers agreed to work  together to identify approaches to advance common goals and priorities in the  coming months.

Quick Facts

   
• The Government of Canada is  committed to protecting 5% of marine and coastal areas by 2017 and 10% by 2020.
   
• In addition, the Government of  Canada recently announced the start of the 30-day public consultation period for the proposed Anguniaqvia niqiqyam Marine Protection Area  Regulations. The Regulations will be pre-published in Canada Gazette Part I on June 25, launching the consultation period  that will extend until July 25, 2016.
   
• Canadian fish and seafood exports continue to grow with total sales of  $6 billion in 2015. This represents a record high growth rate of 21% and a $1  billion increase since 2014.
   
• Aquaculture accounts for nearly 50% of seafood  consumed worldwide. By 2030, it is estimated that demand will exceed supply by  40 million tonnes.
   
• Aquatic invasive species have significantly  reduced certain fish stocks native to Canada. In addition to the environmental  damage, invasive species cost billions of dollars every year due to lost income  and tourism revenue, infrastructure damage, and the implementation of control  measures.
   
• Recreational fishing contributes  significantly to the Canadian economy, especially in rural areas. For example,  based on the 2010 Survey of Recreational Fishing in Canada, angling generated  $8.3 billion for local economies.

Quotes

"My provincial and territorial colleagues and I are  working together to ensure our oceans and waters are healthy and our fisheries  and aquaculture industries are strong and sustainable. It is through this  spirit of trust and collaboration that we will make progress on key environmental  and fisheries issues that will benefit all Canadians."
The Honourable  Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

"Fisheries and aquaculture are vital components of the  New Brunswick economy. Collaboration with other jurisdictions helps us access  the best science and most effective practices to help grow our sectors in a  sustainable manner and keep them globally competitive. I thank all of the  delegates for their diligence and hard work over the last two days, and I hope  they enjoyed their visit to St. Andrews."
The Honourable Rick  Doucet, Minister of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries

Associated Links

   
• CCFAM Aquaculture Development Strategy

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Contacts

Media Relations
Fisheries and    Oceans Canada
Ottawa, ON
613-990-7537

Patricia Bell
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
613-992-3474
patricia.bell@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Tanya Greer
New Brunswick    Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries
506-444-2915
tanya.greer@gnb.ca

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