OTTAWA, ONTARIO — The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, announced that Fisheries and Oceans Canada will extend the period of online consultation on modernizing Canada's fisheries until March 14, 2012. The period of consultation will be extended to encourage further collaboration and to ensure that voices of fish harvesters are heard.
"Canada is blessed to be rich in natural resources, including the longest coastline in the world and a vast system of resource-rich rivers and lakes," said Minister Ashfield. "Our government believes Canada's fishing industry has the potential to be a greater economic contributor while preserving the integrity of our marine environment. We need a clear strategy to ensure that our fisheries are more stable, prosperous and sustainable."
It is estimated that 80,000 Canadians make their living or a portion of their living directly from fishing and fishing-related activities. But current practices and regulations, along with a challenging global market, are increasingly restricting the ability of Canada's fisheries to contribute to Canadian prosperity in a changing economic climate.
"Over the past several months, I have had extensive meetings with Canada's fishing sector and I hear consistently that the system needs to change," noted Minister Ashfield. "Fishermen want our management system to reflect their business needs. Our role in government is to ensure sustainability of the resource and create a healthy business environment and that is what we intend to achieve."
Steps to modernize Canada's fishery have already begun. For instance, work is ongoing to stabilize how quota is allocated, help improve sustainability, and provide for longer-term business planning, and efforts are underway to set a course for further initiatives to modernize Canada's fishery.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada invites Canadians to visit www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca to find out more about fisheries modernization and to provide their input.
For broadcast: The federal government is modernizing Canada's commercial fisheries. Today, Minister Keith Ashfield announced he will extend the period of online consultation on modernizing Canada's fisheries until March 14, 2012. The period of consultation will be extended to encourage further collaboration and to ensure that voices of fish harvesters are heard. Increasing operating costs and competition from abroad are just some of the impacts being felt by this industry. The department is looking for input from Canadians on how Fisheries and Oceans Canada can help Canada's fisheries be more competitive and prosperous.
Internet: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Source: Fisheries and Oceans Canada