February 25, 2010

An Examination of the Conditions and Considerations for a Sustainable Atlantic Canadian Groundfish Fisheries (Emphasis on Cod)

The Minister of Fisheries and Oceans has requested that the Fisheries Resource Conservation Council (FRCC) develop a long-term strategic approach to the sustainability of the Atlantic Groundfish fisheries and the conservation of the resource. During the months of April and early May, the FRCC will hold public consultations to gather information and input from stakeholders. These sessions will give all participants an opportunity to voice their views about groundfish fisheries and provide views on the long-term sustainable use of the resource.

The Council will be taking a long-term view of fisheries sustainability and will not be recommending on access or short-term allocation issues. The Council does not intend to interfere with ongoing local initiatives to improve sustainability of the fisheries and conservation of the resource and encourages stakeholders to pursue such work in their respective areas. Where possible, stakeholders are invited to provide readily available background material pertinent to the sustainability of the fishery.

Stakeholders planning on making a presentation to the Council at one of the upcoming meetings are asked to inform the FRCC Secretariat at least one week in advance of the consultation. This will ensure that sufficient time is allocated for all presentations. In order to avoid duplication, participants are asked to offer the presentation at only one location. Please note that all briefs and presentations will be posted on the FRCC website.

The public is also encouraged to take part in these meetings and advise the Council on issues that will have a long-term impact on the resource and the fishery. Written briefs can be mailed to the FRCC at P.O. Box 2001, Station D, Ottawa, ON, K1P 5W3, fax (613) 998-1146, or sent to info@frcc-ccrh.ca. If you would like to be added to the FRCC e-mail distribution list, please send us an e-mail.

Thank you for your interest in the consultation process. I encourage you to share this web page with other stakeholders who may be interested in providing input to the FRCC.

Yours truly,

Jean Guy d’Entremont
Chairman

Meetings will take place as follow:

April 6 - Witless Bay, Knights of Columbus Hall, 9:00 am
April 6 - Blaketown, Community Church Hall, 2:00 pm
April 7 - Marystown, Salon B, Marystown Hotel, 10:00 am
April 8 - Clarenville, Banquet Room St. Jude Hotel, 10:00 am

April 6 - Charlottetown, Island Room, Rodd Loyalty Inn, 10:00 am
April 7 - Moncton, Westmorland Room, Crowne Plaza Hotel, 10:00 am
April 8 - Blacks Harbour, Stella Maris Community Centre, 10:00 am
April 9 - Bathurst, Bathurst Legion, 10:00 am

April 12 - Gaspé, Room Hector-Denis, Hôtel des commandants, 2:00 pm
April 13 - Magdalen Islands, Belle-Anse Room, Auberge Madeli, 9:00 am
April 14 - Sept-Iles, Avaugour Room, Hôtel des gouverneurs 9:00 am

April 12 - Harbour Breton, Southern Port Hotel, 10:00 am
April 13 - Grand Falls, Mount Peyton Inn, 10:00 am
April 14 - Deer Lake, Banquet Room, Deer Lake Hotel, 10:00 am

April 19 - Sydney, Harbour Room, Days Inn, 10:00 am
April 20 - Antigonish, Chilsholm Room, Claymore Inn, 10:00am
April 21 - Dartmouth, Holiday Inn Harbourview, 10:00 am
April 22 - Yarmouth, Yarmouth Room, Rodd Grand Hotel, 10:00 am

April 19 - Port-aux-Basques, Atlantic Room, St. Christopher’s Hotel, 10:00 am
April 20 - Port-aux-Choix, Banquet Room, Sea Echo Motel, 10:00 am
April 21 - St. Anthony, Conference Room, Vinland Inn, 10:00 am

May 3 - Blanc Sablon, Blanc Sablon Hall, 10:00 am
May 4 - Port Hope Simpson, Conference Room, Alexi Hotel, 10:00 am
May 5 - Goose Bay, Captain’s Room, Hotel North, 1:00 pm

The above is a preliminary schedule that may be subject to change. Please check this website again before attending consultations.