VICTORIA: Federal, provincial and territorial fisheries and aquaculture ministers met in Victoria from Aug. 17 to 20 for the annual meeting of the Canadian Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers, with B.C. Water, Land and Resource Stewardship Minister Randene Neill serving as co-chair.
The meeting focused on strengthening Canada’s fisheries and aquaculture sectors, supporting sustainable growth, improving trade and competitiveness, addressing invasive species and climate change, and combating illegal fishing. Neill said cooperation among governments is essential to protecting aquatic ecosystems while supporting workers, families and coastal communities that depend on healthy marine resources.
Neill also highlighted B.C.’s successful renewal of fisheries funding, with $106.5 million secured over five years. The BC Fisheries Fund will support projects benefiting the province’s fisheries, diversifying seafood markets and improving the health of watersheds and oceans.
According to the province, B.C. has more than 100 seafood species and exports more than 190 seafood products internationally. The fisheries and seafood sector, including commercial and recreational fishing, aquaculture and processing, supports thousands of jobs and contributes billions of dollars in annual economic activity.
During the meeting, Neill raised several B.C. priorities, including salmon recovery, watershed protection, recreational fishing data and invasive-mussel prevention. She also called for timely permitting processes and greater certainty for the future of aquaculture, including the transition of open-net pen operations.
Neill said the province will continue working with federal, provincial and territorial partners to promote healthy ecosystems, sustainable fisheries and stronger coastal economies while advancing the goals of B.C.’s Coastal Marine Strategy.
