Significant Progress
Way Forward Commitment:
The provincial fishing industry is currently experiencing a transition in resource availability, with expectations of greater activity in the groundfish sector in the coming years. Harvesters and processors will require supports to develop a competitive world-class groundfish sector that can provide top quality products to discerning markets in Canada and internationally. Building on the support delivered through the new Seafood Innovation and Transition Program announced during Budget 2016, our Government has established a Fisheries Advisory Council. An Independent Chairperson for the Council has been announced and the membership and terms of reference for the Council was finalized in summer 2017.
By March 2018, our Government will have worked with the Fisheries Advisory Council on an action plan for cod revitalization. This will include actions that support all stages of the value chain, including harvesting, processing and marketing to maximize the value of available resources to the province. These actions will be supported by programming secured through the new Federal Atlantic Fisheries Fund and the Federal Ocean Protection Plan.
What We’ve Accomplished:
- Mr. William Wells was appointed as the independent chairperson of the new Fisheries Advisory Council through a merit-based process on March 9, 2017.
- The Council has been providing input on the province’s fishing industry and will assist the seafood industry to move forward and adapt to current changes.
- Members of the Fisheries Advisory were appointed by the Independent Appointments Commission on July 7, 2017.
- The Council has provided advice to the Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources, which supports adjacency as an important principle in securing access to resources that ensure the long-term viability of the fishing industry in Newfoundland and Labrador.
- The Council continues to be active in reviewing policies and programs to inform their advice on optimizing the value of the province’s fish resources as the industry transitions to ground fish.
News Releases
Members of Fisheries Advisory Council Appointed
William Wells Named as Chair to the new Fisheries Advisory Council