Today, the Fisheries Advisory Council released its Fisheries Action Plan, which identifies several key objectives aimed at positioning the province’s fishery for sustainable growth and success.
The Fisheries Action Plan represents a collaborative and strategic approach by the province’s fisheries stakeholders to advance the industry.
The action plan pursues actions focused on:
- Resource sustainability, including seal management;
- Market access and development;
- Innovation and diversification; and
- Human resources and labour.
The new plan focuses on opportunities for collaboration on fisheries science, climate change impacts on the fisheries and marine ecosystems, development of strategies to address market access for seals, new product development and solutions to recruitment and retention for fisheries related occupations.
The objective of the newly restructured council is to pursue new short and long-term actions to address opportunities and challenges to generate sustainable socioeconomic benefits from Newfoundland and Labrador’s wild fishery resources.
The diverse group is co-chaired by the Honourable Elvis Loveless, Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, and Kevin Anderson, Head of the School of Fisheries at Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland. It includes representatives from:
- The Association of Seafood Producers;
- Professional Fish Harvesters Certification Board;
- Fish, Food and Allied Workers;
- Torngat Joint Fisheries Board;
- Qalipu First Nation;
- Nunatsiavut Government;
- NunatuKavut Community Council;
- Innu Nation;
- Canadian Sealers Association;
- Seals and Sealing Network;
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada;
- Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation;
- Atlantic Groundfish Council;
- Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency; and
- The Departments of Industry, Energy and Technology, Immigration, Population Growth and Skills, Labrador Affairs and the Office of Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation.
The Fisheries Action Plan can be viewed here.
Quotes
“This action plan outlines ways we can address opportunities and challenges within the fishery as identified by the industry stakeholders. The knowledge, experience and expertise of the council is positioning our fishery to evolve and advance in a sustainable manner benefiting our people and communities. I would like to acknowledge the leadership of Minister Bragg and thank him for his hard work in bringing this initiative to this stage.”
Honourable Elvis Loveless
Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
“The Fisheries Advisory Council has provided an opportunity for the voice of our inshore harvesters and plant workers to be heard in the development of the Fisheries Action Plan. FFAW-Unifor looks forward to continued collaboration with the FAC to ensure our members’ challenges are addressed and new, emerging opportunities are taken advantage of.”
Greg Pretty
President, FFAW-Unifor
“I would like to thank the members of the Fisheries Advisory Council for their hard work and collaboration in developing this action plan to advance the sustainable growth and success of the Newfoundland and Labrador fishery.”
Kevin Anderson
Head of the School of Fisheries, Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland
“The expertise of all members of the Fisheries Advisory Council is foundational in understanding and addressing current challenges in today’s fishery. The action plan identifies solutions to these challenges and aims to advance the socioeconomic benefits of Newfoundland and Labrador’s fishery.”
Paul Grant
Chair, Association of Seafood Producers
“Carino Processing Ltd. appreciates the leadership that the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has shown in forming this council and engaging with us. We believe addressing the overpopulation of harp seals in Newfoundland and Labrador waters is critical to restoring balance in our marine ecosystem and to the future of the province’s commercial fisheries.”
Dion Dakins
CEO, Carino Processing Ltd.
-30-
Learn more
Fisheries Action Plan
Follow us on Twitter @GovNL and @FFA_GovNL
Like FFA on Facebook