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Highlights of the bill include: expanded roles for fishery participants in decision making; the adoption of clear principles dedicated to sustainable development; and a new sanctions system to be called the Canada Fisheries Tribunal that is aimed at promoting more responsible fishing behaviour.
“The current Fisheries Act was enacted in 1868 and it is still powerful and effective in some regards. But everyone agrees it’s showing its age,” Minister Hearn said. “The Act was in place before British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and the North were part of Canada. Canadian industry has changed over the past century while the Fisheries Act has not. Science has made huge progress, while the Act stayed the same. Now is the time to get it right.”
The bill stems from extensive cross-country consultations and discussions. Earlier this fall, provincial and territorial fisheries ministers unanimously urged the federal government to table legislation that recognizes their important role in fisheries management, and which provides greater stability, transparency and predictability in fishery access and allocation.
Most importantly, the new Act reaffirms and strengthens the cornerstone of the original Fisheries Act, which is the conservation and protection of fish and fish habitat.
“My duty is to protect biological diversity and conserve fish habitat. This principle is now clearly spelled out as a pillar of proper fisheries management,” Minister Hearn said. “These changes would require me and all future ministers of Fisheries and Oceans to take into account the protection of fish and fish habitat when decisions are made.”
The fishing industry is essential to the economic prosperity of hundreds of coastal communities. The national fishery and aquaculture industries provide more than 80,000 jobs. Upwards of $4.3 billion in fish products are exported annually. An estimated four million recreational and sports fishers inject about $7 billion every year into the economy.
“A renewed Act will recognize the importance of the role of provinces, territories and stakeholders in decision making,” Minister Hearn said. “Simply put, it increases the direct influence of fishers over matters that affect their livelihoods.”
“We have taken the words “absolute discretion” out of the Act,” Minister Hearn said. “So while the Minister is still ultimately responsible for decisions, he or she would need to officially consider a wide range of information prior to a decision being made.”
Previous consultations showed the popularity of an arms-length administrative tribunal for dealing with fishery licence infractions. Composed of fisheries experts, the tribunal would deal with offenders in a manner that is faster and more efficient than the potentially slower and more expensive court system. The tribunal could deal with issues such as the exceeding of quotas or catching undersized fish.
An expanded ticketing system in coastal fisheries – like driving fines for speeding – would also be handled by the tribunal. Poaching, offences against fish habitat and infractions in inland fisheries would remain in the court system.
“We need more clout to deal with people who step out of line. Cheaters need to know they could have their licences revoked by the new tribunal,” Minister Hearn said.
Technical Briefing
Senior DFO officials will hold a technical briefing for media Thursday, December 14 at 200 Kent St, Ottawa, at 12:15 pm EST. Interested reporters who cannot attend may join by teleconference by dialing 1-888-265-0903 and providing this conference code 042987.
*Modernizing The Fisheries Act
*Before and After: What do the Fisheries Act Changes Mean
*Safeguarding Our Aquatic Ecosystems
*A Modern and Effective Fisheries Management Compliance Regime
*Guiding Principles of the Modernized Fisheries Act
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Phil Jenkins
Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa
613-993-5413
Steve Outhouse
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa
613-992-3474