Canadian Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers working together to protect fisheries and aquaculture sector in Canada

OTTAWA, ON, July 7, 2023 /CNW/ - The Canadian Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers (CCFAM) met on June 27 and 28, 2023 in Ottawa, Ontario. Ministers discussed working together on managing the threat of aquatic invasive species, continuing to support the sustainability and economic well-being of the fish and seafood sector, and safeguarding the future of fish, fish habitat, fisheries and aquaculture in a changing climate.

Ministers attending in person from left to right: The Honourable Steve Craig, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture (Nova Scotia); the Honourable Margaret Johnson, Minister of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries (New Brunswick); the Honourable Greg Nesbitt, Minister of Natural Resources and Northern Development (Manitoba); the Honourable Graydon Smith, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry (Ontario); the Honourable Joyce Murray, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard (Canada); the Honourable Dana Skoropad, Minister of Environment (Saskatchewan); the Honourable Elvis Loveless, Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture (Newfoundland and Labrador); the Honourable David Akeeagok, Minister of Economic Development and Transportation (Nunavut). (CNW Group/Canadian Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers’ Meetings)

The Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honourable Joyce Murray, and the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry for Ontario, the Honourable Graydon Smith, co-chaired the meeting, which was attended by their provincial and territorial counterparts and representatives.

Ministers discussed their respective aquaculture priorities. Minister Murray reiterated that the implementation of a federal plan to transition from open-net pen salmon farming in coastal British Columbia waters will not extend to Eastern Canada, where provinces are the lead regulators for the management and development of aquaculture. Minister Murray expressed her support for a sustainably managed aquaculture industry, and recognized that aquaculture is a legitimate user of the waters in Eastern Canada.

The federally adopted Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework was presented to Ministers, specifically, aquatic ecosystems elements of the framework, such as marine conservation, aquatic invasive species (AIS), and climate change. Ministers discussed the importance of early engagement and collaboration with provincial and territorial jurisdictions, Indigenous communities, and industry.

To prevent and mitigate AIS, Ministers agreed that revitalizing CCFAM's 2004 Canadian Action Plan to Address the Threat of Aquatic Invasive Species is needed. The updated Action Plan identifies gaps in AIS-management policy and provides recommended actions related to governance, data sharing, risk prioritization, response and biosecurity. Ministers agreed to work collaboratively to advance these recommended actions to help safe-guard Canada from aquatic invasive species.

Ministers reaffirmed that CCFAM is an important venue for working together to promote sustainable economic growth of Canada's fish and seafood sector. Ministers agreed to extend the Economic Development Task Group for another term, highlighting the importance of food security, particularly to Indigenous communities, market diversification, reducing fish by-product waste through greater fish utilization, and promoting Canadian fish and seafood, domestically and internationally.

Finally, as a follow up to their November 2022 meeting in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Ministers continued important discussions on the impact climate change is increasingly having on Canadian marine and freshwater ecosystems, in particular, the impacts on fish, fish habitats, aquaculture, and fisheries. Ministers agreed that the Committee on Climate Change support marine and freshwater fisheries and aquaculture in this changing environment, underscoring the importance of timely action.

In a separate pre-session, Ministers met with representatives from National Indigenous Organizations. Discussions focused on strengthening relationships, and inclusion of Indigenous community rights and perspectives in all matters related to fisheries and conservation of aquatic ecosystems.

Quotes

"Canada's vast aquatic resources, climate and biodiversity are interconnected. Meeting with ministers from coast to coast to coast, to discuss matters relating to both oceans and freshwater bodies, provides the Government of Canada an excellent opportunity to listen to and learn from different perspectives, and to align our priorities. Thank you to the Government of Ontario for hosting this very productive meeting."

     The Honourable Joyce Murray, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

"Ontario's recreational and commercial fisheries and aquaculture sector are integral to our province's culture, economy and communities. Through this forum, we are continuing to build on the significant progress we've made towards a more prosperous and sustainable future in these sectors – not only for Ontario, but for the entire country. I appreciate the Government of Canada for co-chairing this meeting, and thank my provincial and territorial counterparts for their valuable input."

     The Honourable Graydon Smith, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry

Quick Facts

• CCFAM is the primary multi-lateral engagement forum between federal, provincial, and territorial governments to address fisheries and aquaculture issues of pan-Canadian importance.
• CCFAM's primary mandate is promoting interjurisdictional cooperation in freshwater and marine fisheries and aquaculture issues, and providing a forum to establish and meet common goals.

Footnote: Quebec does not adhere to federal, provincial and territorial biodiversity initiatives, approaches or mechanisms, as it considers that these areas fall primarily within its own jurisdiction. Although it shares the objectives of Canada's 2004 Action Plan, Quebec has not adhered to it and therefore does not subscribe to the revitalized Plan. In addition, the Quebec government remains committed to implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity through its own policies and tools. In response to the adoption of the Kunming-Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework by the signatory parties to the Convention in December 2022, Quebec is developing its own Nature Plan 2030, which will contribute to achieving the next global targets.

SOURCE Canadian Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers’ Meetings

Matthew Dillon, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, 613-992-3474, [email protected]; Media Relations, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 613-990-7537, [email protected]; Media Desk, Communications Branch, 416-314-2106, [email protected]; Melissa Candelaria, Minister's Office, 647-448-7652, [email protected]