Archived – One Fishery For All Of Us: Canada’s New Government Delivers on Promise To Integrate Pacific Commercial Fishery

July 16, 2007

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VANCOUVER – The Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans today announced that Canada’s New Government is fulfilling its commitment to establish one fishery for British Columbia and will provide $175 million to support environmentally and economically sustainable integrated Pacific commercial fisheries.

"Overcoming the challenges facing Pacific commercial fisheries requires all fishing sectors to rise above the discords that have existed in the past and begin working cooperatively," said Minister Hearn. "Unfortunately, some fisheries, like the commercial salmon fishery on the Fraser River, have been characterized by conflict and mistrust. Our new government committed to help reverse this direction. Measures announced today, along with a renewed determination from all sectors to work together, will allow us to make huge strides forward in establishing one fishery for the Province of B.C."

The new funds will be provided over five years, and will be used to establish enhanced catch monitoring and reporting in B.C. fisheries, strengthen enforcement efforts, and provide the basis for a new approach to trace fish from the time they are harvested in the commercial fishery until they are purchased by consumers. It will also allow the federal government to retire the licences and quota of fishers who want to leave the commercial fishery, and use these resources to facilitate greater participation in a wide range of commercial fisheries by First Nations throughout B.C.

"Last year Prime Minister Harper voiced our commitment to see First Nations become an integral part of the Pacific commercial fishery," added the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Agriculture. "Today’s announcement propels us towards that vision. And I am pleased to add that this was not a ‘made in Ottawa’ solution. Consultations took place here in British Columbia, with both First Nations and commercial fishing stakeholders. Without their participation, we would not be here with this plan today."

A key component of effective Pacific integrated commercial fisheries is to increase the involvement of fishers in the management of the fisheries, and to move toward clear harvest sharing arrangements for the salmon fishery. The long-term goal is for all participants in the commercial fishery to manage their respective shares cooperatively, in ways that ensure fairness, the conservation of the resource, the sustainability of the fishery and a stable economic return for all participants, while taking into account the need to provide access for First Nations fishing for food, social and ceremonial purposes, and recreational harvesters.

"It sets the stage for fully integrated commercial fisheries in B.C., so that all participants operate with similar rules – and for everyone to work cooperatively to achieve a fishery that holds conservation above all other priorities," concluded Minister Hearn. "It supports the long-term sustainability of British Columbia’s fisheries, which is ultimately the most fundamental building block for the future of this industry in B.C."

Backgrounder:

• One Fishery for All of Us

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FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Steve Outhouse Director of Communications Office of the Minister Fisheries and Oceans Canada Ottawa 613-992-3474

Terry Davis Regional Director, Communications Pacific Region Fisheries and Ocenas Canada 604-666-3855

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