National Aquaculture Strategic Action Plan Initiative – Discussion document
December 15, 2009No CommentsNational Aquaculture Strategic Action Plan Initiative – Discussion document (East Coast & Central Canada) (March 2009)
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), in partnership with other federal departments and agencies and the Provincial and Territorial members of the Canadian Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers – Aquaculture Task Group (CCFAM-ATG), is leading a collaborative exercise to advance socially and environmentally sustainable aquaculture development in Canada1. Achieving Canada’s potential as a leading aquaculture producer requires that the principal challenges and constraints to sustainable development be addressed and resolved. Based on consultation, specific objectives, targets and action plans will be necessary to guide the efforts of all pertinent parties. This discussion document has been prepared as background information to facilitate robust dialogue amongst industry, governments and other stakeholders in support of this exercise.
The document explores various topics and seeks contribution from groups and individuals with an interest in the subject. It is intended to focus discussions and stimulate strategic thinking in the interest of generating plausible innovative and progressive solutions.
Canada supports the sustainable development of aquaculture. Federal and provincial governments recognize sustainable aquaculture as a legitimate use of Canadian waters and it is the responsibility of both levels of government to ensure that the environment and other public interests are not unduly compromised by aquaculture development. For more information, please refer to www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/aquaculture.
Through extensive engagement via a series of regional workshops in the Spring and Summer of 2009, it is expected that meaningful input will be obtained to:
- confirm our collective understanding of the constraints facing sustainable development of the sector;
- provide a platform from which to generate insight and innovative advice regarding potential means to resolve the identified constraints; and,
- use this feedback to facilitate the activities and decision-making by industry, governments and other stakeholders in development of strategic action plans to strengthen the economically, socially and environmentally sustainable development of the Canadian aquaculture sector.
This discussion document (i) provides a general overview of the Canadian aquaculture sector; (ii) describes the challenges and priorities that have been identified by industry, stakeholders, and Aboriginal peoples over the past number of years; and (iii) seeks to stimulate discussion and input from participants regarding the constraints and possible approaches to resolve them. The document is organized into the following areas for Strategic Action Planning:
- Regulatory and Management Regimes for a Sustainable Sector
- Environmental Management of Aquaculture
- Introductions & Transfers of Aquatic Organisms
- Access to Wild Stocks for Aquaculture Purposes
- Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program
- Sustainability, Competitiveness, Investment & Innovation
- Innovation
- Fish & Shellfish Health Management
- Aquatic Invasive Species
- Emerging Production Technologies
- Industry Diversification / Alternative Species
- Risk Management & Access to Financing
- Infrastructure
- Market Access & Certification
- Social Licence & Reporting
Information presented in this document is based on past initiatives, consultations and reports pertaining to aquaculture development in Canada (and elsewhere). There are no preconceived ideas regarding the outcome of this exercise. Rather, the intention is to work collaboratively and collectively to develop sectoral action plans that will facilitate further development of sustainable aquaculture throughout Canada.
Within the document, strategic questions are posed at the end of each sub-section to facilitate discussions and guide decisions that will lead to the development of strategic action planning initiatives. There are 18 strategic questions in all. Through stakeholder discussion at the regional workshops, however, the emergence of additional factors and questions is likely – and welcomed.
It is also anticipated that different answers will be generated in different regions and/or sectors for the same questions. Therefore, a provincial / regional consultation process has been employed to solicit input, leading to the development of sector-specific Strategic Action Plans that effectively target the various sub-sectors of the Canadian aquaculture industry; namely: Shellfish (East Coast), Shellfish (West Coast), Freshwater, Marine Finfish (East Coast) and Marine Finfish (West Coast). The resulting action plans will address specific needs within each of these industry sub-sectors. It is also inevitable that there will be many factors in common to the different sectors and regions so it is envisaged that the sectoral action plans will be consolidated within an overarching national action plan pertaining to generic needs and challenges within the industry.
Aboriginal Affairs, Environment, Fisheries, Natural Resources