Fisheries and Oceans Canada
www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Common menu bar links
Archived – Ocean to Plate Approach to Commercial Fisheries and Aquaculture
Archived Content
Information identified as archived on the Web is for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. It has not been altered or updated after the date of archiving. Web pages that are archived on the Web are not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards. As per the Communications Policy of the Government of Canada, you can request alternate formats on the "Contact Us" page.
April 2007
Vision
The vision of the Ocean to Plate approach is a seafood sector in which all stakeholders, including government agencies and those involved in all levels of the seafood value chain, are working towards a common goal of a sustainable, economically viable, and internationally competitive industry that can:
- Adapt to changing resource and market conditions;
- Extract optimal value from world markets;
- Provide attractive incomes to industry participants;
- Provide an economic driver for communities in coastal regions; and
- Attract and retain skilled workers.
The Ocean to Plate approach is intended to be consistent with existing policy frameworks and regulatory authorities, while providing additional guidance on how to ensure that policies support a sustainable seafood sector.
The Ocean to Plate approach is being undertaken in partnership with all fishery stakeholders: harvesters and processors, crew members and plant workers, communities, industry and the Provinces and Territories. Ultimately, the economic viability of Canada's fishing industry will depend on the industry itself; however, the Government is committed to managing the fishery such that the seafood industry can achieve the best economic successes possible, while using the oceans' resources in an environmentally sustainable manner.
Objective
Under the Ocean to Plate approach, DFO will develop a better understanding of the effect of fisheries management policies and programs on all stages of the value chain. Fishery policies and regulations that better align with the value chain will allow harvesters and processors to meet the demands of consumers and opportunities of international markets, while maintaining stable and sustainable fish resources for future production. In addition, regulatory tools will be developed to allow the industry to "self-rationalize" - to adjust its size to market and resource realities - in a fair and efficient manner.
Goals
- To improve collaboration and policy coherence among government agencies, both within the federal government and with other levels of government.
- To engage all participants along the seafood value chain so that they can work jointly to improving sustainable resource use, competitiveness and long-term economic viability of the seafood industry.
Principles
- Licensing policy and resource management programs will conserve marine resources in the interest of the long-term sustainability and economic viability of the seafood sector.
- Fisheries policies and programs should foster self-reliance and resilience in the seafood sector, such that communities, harvesters, processors and other sector participants are able to address economic challenges and opportunities, and adapt to changing resource and market conditions, without government assistance.
- Federal and provincial governments have separate mandates and responsibilities with respect to the seafood sector, and these distinct government roles will be respected.
- We will pursue policy and programs with an awareness and understanding of the impacts on relevant stakeholders in the seafood sector and on the seafood value chain.
- We will support the goal of fostering broader collaboration and partnerships within the seafood sector, with industry and all levels of government.
- Where possible, existing programs are the vehicles for meeting Ocean to Plate goals for the seafood sector.
B-HQ-07-17E(a)
