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Archived – Minister Shea Congratulates Canada's Newest Fishery Officers
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December 17, 2009
Regina, SK - The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today participated in graduation activities for 30 new Fishery Officers at the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Training Academy.
“Fishery Officers are not only protectors of our marine resources, but also ambassadors for Fisheries and Oceans Canada as the front line employees in the coastal communities we serve,” said Minister Shea. “The men and women who received their badges today have worked extremely hard to complete this challenging training program. I am honoured to congratulate these graduates on their success to date and to wish them well as they set out on an exciting and rewarding career in the Public Service”.
Fishery Officers are responsible for the enforcement of the Fisheries Act, the Species at Risk Act and the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act, as well as many other acts and regulations relating to fisheries on Canadian Waters, in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) regulatory area, and off Canada’s Pacific, eastern and northern shores.
“Our government is committed to the protection of fish and fish habitat, both within our waters and beyond. Fishery Officers play a vital role in our conservation efforts and our work to build strong and sustainable fisheries for this generation and the next,” added Minister Shea.
In addition to protecting fish and fish habitat, Fishery Officers promote compliance and conservation, stewardship and sustainability of fisheries. Fishery Officers also play a key role working with the public to increase awareness about these issues through activities that include presentations to school children and public interest groups about DFO activities and goals.
Graduates of the Fishery Officer training program completed 17 weeks of classroom training and a nine week enforcement component at the RCMP Depot. Skills acquired during training range from fish identification and habitat conservation to conducting patrols and using various enforcement methods. Cadets also learn federal fisheries and habitat policies and legislation, as well as communications techniques and the basics of the Canadian judicial system. The new fishery officers will now be posted to field offices across Canada where they will undertake 30 months of practical field training.
Backgrounder:
For additional information about becoming a fishery officer, visit the DFO website at: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/enf-loi/officer-agent-eng.htm
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For more information:
Phil Jenkins
Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
613-990-7537
Nancy Bishay
Press Secretary
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
613-992-3474
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