Canada’s Atlantic Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers on Monday concluded its annual meeting with an agreement to move forward with concrete action on issues including seal management, Atlantic lobster and the Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program.
The council discussed issues related to the global economic situation. Members expressed concern about the impact on a range of fisheries. Officials have been tasked to work together to improve program coordination and communication with the fishing industry.
In the case of the Atlantic lobster fishery, officials have been instructed to establish a working group to closely monitor the fishery and increase coordination among governments on programs to assist this industry.
Council members also agreed to work toward a regionally harmonized fish health program to address important challenges in the finfish aquaculture sector.
The council was also updated on results of a review of emergency closure procedures intended to strengthen communication protocols for the shellfish sanitation program.
“Governments are working together to continue to improve Atlantic fisheries and aquaculture management and support the livelihood of many Atlantic Canadians. We are collaborating on three major areas of interest and seeing genuine progress on those initiatives,” said Canadian Fisheries Minister Gail Shea. “Together, we made great progress on the priorities we need to focus on in the coming years. I am very pleased with the discussion that took place, and I look forward to the productive collaboration that lies ahead.”
