Prince Edward Island Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Allan Campbell is seeking continued federal support to deal with invasive species and other initiatives to expand the aquaculture industry. He raised these issues last week at the Canadian Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers during their meeting in Winnipeg.
“I raised the serious matter of invasive species to Prince Edward Island and asked the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans for his continued cooperation to source funding for the aquaculture industry that is being challenged with tunicates,” said Mr. Campbell. “The problem of invasive species is not unique to this province, and requires a coordinated approach by both levels of government and the industry.”
Ministers also discussed the work of the Aquaculture Task Group and agreed that Canada’s aquaculture industry has made great strides but has yet to realize its full potential. They asked the Task Group to rapidly develop proposals for a coordinated governance and regulatory framework for the industry, and related research, development, commercialization, infrastructure and stewardship programming. “We will be undertaking steps with the other Atlantic provinces within the next three weeks to highlight the importance of the aquaculture industry and to gather strong support from the federal government to move an aquaculture renewal initiative forward,” said Mr. Campbell.
The subject of eco-labelling of seafood products was also on the agenda. Mr. Campbell said that with over 80 percent of Canadian seafood being exported and certain market sectors increasingly aware of sustainability issues, eco-labelling is emerging as a priority for all levels of government. Ministers established a new task group on eco-labelling to ensure governments are ready to better support industry in the certification process and to ensure a consistent approach across Canada. Mr. Campbell said he will be discussing this matter with the Prince Edward Island Fishermens Association and the Seafood Processors Association.
“This meeting was the first opportunity I had meet with my federal, provincial and territorial counterparts,” said Mr. Campbell. “I look forward to establishing strong collaborative efforts to keep the fishing and aquaculture industry in this province moving forward as one of the driving forces in the provincial economy.”