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

Fisheries Ministers  conclude the annual meeting of the Canadian Council of Fisheries and  Aquaculture Ministers

Calgary, Alberta – On June 26, Federal, Provincial and  Territorial Ministers met at the  Canadian Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture  Ministers (CCFAM) annual meeting, where they reinforced their commitment to job  creation, economic growth and long-term prosperity, while discussing  sustainability and a broad range of fisheries and aquaculture issues.

The  annual meeting was co-chaired by the Honourable Gail Shea, Federal Minister of  Fisheries and Oceans, and the Honourable Cal Dallas, Alberta Minister of International  and Intergovernmental Relations, and attended by fisheries ministers from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick,  British Columbia, Prince   Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan,  and Nunavut. Quebec  was represented by the Minister’s Parliamentary Assistant.

Ministers  discussed the recently announced Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement and the  Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement with the European Union.  Ministers emphasized the continued importance  of opening other international markets through trade agreements to ensure long  term growth and prosperity and to create job opportunities for Canadians. Ministers  noted that to avail of these new markets, access to a stable workforce for the  aquaculture, harvesting and processing sectors is required.

The new  Aquaculture Activities Regulations for the aquaculture sector announced by  Minister Shea earlier today demonstrate how the federal government will pursue  a targeted, pragmatic regulatory agenda and will address key barriers to industry  growth while safeguarding the environment and respecting the jurisdiction of  the provinces and territories.

Ministers also discussed the  proposed aquatic invasive species regulations.   Over the past several years, federal, provincial and territorial  governments have worked cooperatively to protect Canadian waters against the  threat of aquatic invasive species. Ministers agreed on the importance of these  newly developed regulations as a key tool in managing the threat of aquatic invasive  species in our waters, that will protect our shared economic interests and  domestic species.

Ministers  also reviewed a presentation on the continued implementation of the Fisheries  Protection Program, and received an update on the Recreational Fisheries  Conservation Partnerships Program (RFCPP), which has been given a total  investment of $25 million through the Economic Action Plan. Recreational fishing is a significant industry in Canada and contributes greatly to the Canadian economy,  especially in rural areas. In 2010, anglers generated $8.3 billion for local  economies.

Following the CCFAM meeting, the  Atlantic Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers met to discuss the important  challenges still facing the Atlantic lobster industry. They also discussed the  World Trade Organization’s recent ruling on the European Union ban on seals.

Ministers recognized the  importance of the consultations and efforts made over the last number of months  to address lobster industry issues. They also acknowledged challenges facing  the fisheries, such as acute local labour shortages in the processing sector.

Ontario will host the next meeting of  the Canadian Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers meeting in 2015.

Quick Facts

   
• Canada and the European Union (EU) reached an  agreement in principle in October 2013 on a comprehensive trade agreement that  will significantly boost trade and investment ties between the two partners,  and create jobs and opportunities for Canadians. When the Canada-EU Trade  Agreement comes into force, almost 96 per cent of all EU tariffs on Canadian  fish and seafood products will be eliminated, with the remaining 4 per cent to  be eliminated by the 7th year of the Agreement.
   
• Commercial fisheries play a vital role in Canada's  economy, particularly for coastal regions. In 2013, Canada  exported $4.4 billion of fish and seafood products, an increase of $268 million  from 2012.
   
• The aquaculture industry in Canada now  creates over 14,000 full-time equivalent, year-round, stable jobs in rural,  coastal, and Aboriginal communities.
   
• Aquaculture accounts for nearly 50 per cent of seafood consumed  worldwide. By 2030, it is estimated that demand will exceed supply by 40  million tonnes.  
   
• The next steps in the aquaculture regulatory reform agenda will include  a number of regulatory initiatives such as amendments to the Pacific Aquaculture Regulations. These  will establish a licence fee schedule and provide for annual payment  installments for multi-year aquaculture licences.
   
• Aquatic invasive species (AIS) pose a significant and growing threat to Canada’s freshwater and marine ecosystems with  consequences to multiple economic sectors in Canada.  At present Canada  does not have national regulations, making it difficult to safe guard our  valuable waterways from new and established AIS.

Quotes

“Healthy  oceans and waters as well as aquaculture, recreational and commercial fisheries  are an important part of Canada’s economy. Our  Government is committed to work with  our  provincial and territorial partners to maximize job creation and economic  growth in these sectors, while maintaining strong environmental and  conservation standards.”

The Honourable Gail Shea,  Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada

“As the host of the annual meeting of the Canadian  Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers, Alberta is  pleased to play a leading role in helping to maintain and promote the  productive status of fisheries all across our country. Albertans are committed  to sustainable management of our natural resources, and we believe the outcomes  of this meeting help us to achieve that end.”  

The Honourable Cal Dallas, Alberta  Minister of International and Intergovernmental Relations

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