Senator highlights scope for growth
It is an issue well known to the actors inside the Canadian aquaculture industry - that there are huge untapped opportunities for growth in the business of aquaculture. A Senate Committee is now criss-crossing the country conducting hearings into the management of aquaculture in Canada. And as Jim Day, of The Guardian reports, some local senators are seizing the opportunity to highlight this fact;
Prince Edward Island Senator Libbe Hubley says Canada may be floundering in aquaculture compared to other countries. “Comparing Canada’s position in aquaculture with some of the other countries ... we could be doing more we believe,’’ says Hubley.
Hubley was at the Atlantic Veterinary College in Charlottetown Tuesday as part of the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans’ ongoing study into the current challenges and future prospects of aquaculture.
The senator says the committee has learned that licensing is perhaps a far too cumbersome process with a number of departments involved and numerous regulations needing to be satisfied. “It can take a long time to get a licence ... there are regulations that have to be met but in some cases we have seen that perhaps having a department of aquaculture that focuses on that is a one-stop shop. It’s more user friendly for those who are looking for licensing.’’ Hubley says a big issue on P.E.I. is striking harmony between the aquaculture industry and landowners, homeowners, communities, vacationers and those who use the water for recreation.
The committee launched its aquaculture regulation study in January 2014. Since then, it has heard from witnesses during public hearings in Ottawa, B.C., Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia. The committee intends to table a report in the Senate Chamber by June 30.
