Fisheries and Oceans Parliamentary Secretary Randy Kamp Addresses North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission Annual Meeting on Importance of Science and Salmon Conservation

October 24, 2011

Nanaimo, B.C. – Randy Kamp, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada today welcomed participants to the 19th North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission annual meeting in Nanaimo, British Columbia.

“Our government remains firmly committed to the long term sustainability of all salmon species. Our membership in the North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission provides us with another collaborative tool to make that possible on the high seas of the North Pacific,” said Mr. Kamp.

Membership to the Commission provides Canada with access to data and research results on salmon migration and survival patterns from scientists in other countries that would not otherwise be easily available to Canadian scientists. It also allows Canadian scientists to contribute to coordinated and collaborative research to understand the extent to which anadromous fish stocks develop and move within the Convention Area, as well as the impact of marine environmental factors on salmon habitat.

“This international cooperative scientific research and exchange of information is essential to improving our knowledge in support of Pacific salmon survival and complements Canada’s conservation efforts to ensure the long term sustainability of this important species,” added Mr. Kamp.

One of the other key accomplishments of the Commission has been the way in which its members have worked closely to stop the illegal fishing of salmon in the North Pacific. The cooperative enforcement work done by this organization – known as Operation High Seas Driftnet – has contributed to a sharp decrease in illegal fishing of salmon in the North Pacific. The coordinated enforcement activities of the members of the Commission have resulted in a more than 80 per cent decrease in illegal, unreported and unregulated fish harvesting on the high seas of the North Pacific since its peak in 1999.

The 19th North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission annual meeting is hosted by Canada and takes place October 24-28, 2011 in Nanaimo, British Columbia.

Mr. Randy Kamp, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada welcomed participants to the 19th North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission annual meeting in Nanaimo, British Columbia. To the left of Mr. Kamp is Mr. Jim Balsiger, President of the Commission and Mr. Vladimir Fedorenko, Executive Director of the Commission.

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For broadcast:

Randy Kamp, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada today welcomed participants to the 19th North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission annual meeting hosted by Canada in Nanaimo, British Columbia. The international cooperative scientific research and exchange of information taking place at this meeting is essential to improving our knowledge in support of Pacific salmon survival and complements Canada’s conservation efforts to ensure the long term sustainability of this important species.

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