The Canadian Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers (CCFAM) met this week to discuss a broad range of common priorities including marine conservation, a process to review the Fisheries Act, market access for Canadian fish and seafood, responsible aquaculture development and aquatic invasive species.
CCFAM members shared their priorities and discussed ways they could work in partnership to advance their goals of economic growth, strengthening global market access for Canadian fish and seafood products, including seals, and protecting Canada's oceans, coasts, waterways and fisheries.
Ministers reiterated their commitment to increase collaboration on marine protection and to work together to support federal, provincial and territorial marine conservation targets.
They also discussed the damaging impact of aquatic invasive species on infrastructure and on the environment and renewed their commitment to work together to combat aquatic invasive species.
The economic value and potential of Canada's aquaculture sector was also discussed. Recognising aquaculture's potential to create jobs, economic growth and prosperity in remote, rural, coastal and Indigenous communities, the Ministers reviewed and provided further direction on a three-year CCFAM Aquaculture Development Strategy. The strategy promotes strong and environmentally sustainable aquaculture development, responsible growth and the engagement of stakeholders.
Ministers also discussed the process to review changes to the Fisheries Act announced on 20 June by the Government of Canada, which will restore lost protections to fish and fish habitat and incorporate modern safeguards.
Market access and continued emphasis on high quality Canadian fish and seafood products was also discussed by CCFAM. Ministers supported the compilation of an inventory of federal, provincial and territorial financing programs that specifically support the fish and seafood sector. The dialogue touched on fish and seafood trade opportunities, as well as recent international efforts by the federal and provincial governments to promote Canada's fish and seafood industry. The Certification and Market Access Program for Seals was also discussed, which supports the commercial seal harvest and will ensure seal products harvested by Indigenous communities are certified to be sold internationally, including in the European Union.
