Ministers met to discuss industry challenges

Tor-Eddie Fossbakk The Atlantic Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers (ACFAM) met in Ottawa last week to tackle these challenges and take action on other important matters facing the fishery in Eastern Canada. "It is by working together, at venues like this, that we will better address the new and emerging challenges facing this important economic sector," said Loyola Hearn, federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and co-chair of the meeting in a DFO press release. The attending ministers noted the importance of taking a more integrated approach to managing the fishery sector that includes all the players in the seafood value chain, particularly harvesters and processors. They agreed to pursue this integrated approach through an “Oceans-to-Plate” approach. They discussed at length the importance of looking at the industry through the lens of economic viability, and considered related recommendations from provincial summits and other efforts. Recognizing that an Atlantic approach to marketing would complement provincial and territorial efforts, ministers established a federal-provincial-territorial working group to be lead by Quebec. This working group will explore opportunities for strategic marketing of seafood products, analyzing international market trends, improving coordination between marketing efforts and harvesters and accessing additional funding for marketing from other sources. The working group will present its recommendations to the ministers at the next ACFAM meeting in early 2008 in Nova Scotia. The meeting highlighted aquaculture’s tremendous potential and are committed to doing their part in order to enable the industry to realize its full potential. To achieve this, they recognize the need to harmonize the regulatory framework and improve the site application process, while protecting the environment and fish stocks. Recognizing the importance of a healthy fishery there is a need for strong, collaborative governance, where all stakeholders have a say in their future and where all players work together. Therefore, the ministers reiterated their strong support for the Federal Minister to table in Parliament as soon as possible a new and modernized Fisheries Act. The ACFAM consists of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers from the Atlantic Provinces, Quebec, Nunavut and the federal government. These Ministers meet regularly to discuss and work on fisheries and aquaculture issues of particular interest to Eastern Canada.