Prince Edward Island’s fisheries minister Jim Bagnall said he is very pleased with the modernization of the federal Fisheries Act. The bill to overhaul the 138 year-old act was introduced last week to the House of Commons by Fisheries and Oceans Minister Loyola Hearn.
“The proposed changes will bring the current legislation up to date with the present and future realities of the fishery,” said Mr. Bagnall. “I am especially pleased with the provisions of the act to expand the decision-making process, encourage conservation and sustainable development and promote more responsible fishing practices and greater protection of the resource.”
The Minister said the new act should strengthen fisheries organizations and provide for a sustainable inshore fishery in the years to come.
Mr. Bagnall commended the federal Minister for initiating major changes in the legislation which affects the entire industry. “Mr. Hearn has accomplished in less than a year what the previous government failed to achieve in more than a dozen years,” said Mr. Bagnall. “Earlier changes in the act might have prevented the kinds of conflicts and disputes which have become all too common in the industry.”
Mr. Bagnall said he will be meeting with his Atlantic colleagues in the near future to discuss the proposed new act. “Mr. Hearn has demonstrated his willingness to work with the provinces in a cooperative fashion, and I will be calling on provincial fisheries ministers to provide constructive input to the proposed amendments,” he said.