August 18, 2020

Canada's Aquaculture Act to provide more clarity for aquaculture industry, says minister

Canada's Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard, Bernadette Jordan, said the proposed Aquaculture Act for Canada will provide more clarity and certainty as the aquaculture sector continues to develop across the country.

Jordan also announced the next phase of the public engagement process on the act.

"The women and men in Canada's aquaculture sector have been feeding Canadians and the world for years – and as the industry grows, we need to ensure the rules and regulations keep up with its growth," she said.

"Sustainable aquaculture is a cornerstone of Canada's fish and seafood sector, playing an important role in the country's food security and helping drive economic growth, particularly in rural, coastal and Indigenous communities.

"I look forward to hearing from Canadians, provincial and territorial partners, Indigenous peoples, industry and key stakeholders, as we chart this new path forward together."

Terry Beech, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister Jordan, said the Aquaculture Act will provide a nationally consistent and adaptable legislative framework, while also considering regional differences.

Canada's farmed seafood sector has advocated for an aquaculture act for many years and welcomes the next phase of stakeholder consultation, said Tim Kennedy, president and CEO of the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA).

"Given previous consultations initiated by Fisheries and Oceans Canada on many of the issues raised within the department's discussion paper, CAIA strongly urges the federal government to move swiftly to engage stakeholders this fall so that it can move forward with tabling legislation in 2021," he told SeaWestNews.

"CAIA and Canada's seafood farmers believe it is critical to finally provide a legislative framework for Canada's growing and sustainable aquaculture sector that ensures growth and opportunity for Canada's rural and coastal communities, ensures environmental fish and fish habitat protection and enhances already growing opportunities for partnership with Canada's Indigenous peoples and communities."

Canada currently remains the world's only major farmed seafood producing country without modern national legislation specifically designed to govern a responsible and sustainable aquaculture industry.

The country's seafood farming industry generates an estimated $5.16 billion in economic activities and 25,000 full-time jobs for Canadians.

- SeaWestNews