Loyola Hearn, Canadian Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, has announced the appointment of Troy Atkinson as a Canadian Commissioner to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT).
"I am very pleased that Mr. Atkinson has accepted to serve as Commissioner to ICCAT," said Minister Hearn. "I am confident his experience working in the industry, representing industry concerns and with the ICCAT file in particular, will make him an excellent representative of Canada at the Commission."
ICCAT is a regional fisheries management organisation responsible for the management of tuna, swordfish and other related large pelagics in the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. There are currently 43 Contracting Parties to ICCAT that range from North, South and Central America to Europe and Africa, as well as distant-water fishing nations in Asia. Canada has been a member since the organisation was established in 1969.
Mr Atkinson is the vice-president and general manager of Hi-Liner Fishing Gear & Tackle. As president of the Nova Scotia Swordfishermen’s Association since 1996, Mr Atkinson has represented industry on the Scotia Fundy Large Pelagic Advisory Committee and the Atlantic Large Pelagic Advisory Committee. He has also previously been a member of Canadian delegations to ICCAT.
