FRCC announces public herring consultation dates

After being asked by the minister for Fisheries and Oceans Canada to develop a sustainability framework for the Atlantic herring fishery, the Fisheries Resource Conservation Council (FRCC) will hold a series of consultations with stakeholders during March and April.

The consultations will take place across the Atlantic Provinces and in Quebec.

The goal of the report to FRCC is being asked to compile is to provide a long-term direction to the minister and industry on measures, issues and practices that can help maintain sustainable fisheries and conserve the resource.

“We know that there are a number of local or regional conservation initiatives underway in the herring industry and we are confident that stakeholders will want to share this information with the Council,” said Jean Guy d’Entremont, Chairman of the FRCC.

The FRCC says this is a unique opportunity for stakeholders to have a direct input into the development of the long-term direction for the management of herring fisheries by advising on what is working well and what adjustments are required in order to ensure long-term sustainability.

All FRCC consultations are open to the public and will provide a forum for an open dialogue between the council and participants.

“The council does not intend to interfere with current ongoing local initiatives and would encourage stakeholders to pursue such work in their respective areas,” said d’Entremont, adding that the council is looking for all information or initiative that could guide the council in its work.

The council would appreciate receiving any documents, published or in draft form, that participants feel would be useful to it in its consideration of the herring fishery.

Those not able to take part in a one of the planned consultations can also send relevant documents to the council Secretariat. Briefs will be accepted until the end of September.

The FRCC’s address and consultation schedule can be found on the council’s website at www@frcc-ccrh.ca or by calling 613-998-0433.



QUICK GLANCE

The following items are provided to illustrate the types of information the Council is seeking:

• major risk factors and threats to the sustainability of the fishery

• existing best practices as well as new solutions or opportunities

• scientific information requirements

• handling practices

• management and stewardship initiatives

• role of herring in the ecosystem



The schedule for public consultations is as follows:

March 17: Grand Falls - Windsor, NL - Mount Peyton Hotel at 10 a.m.

March 18: Rocky Harbour, NL – Fisherman’s Landing Hotel at 10a.m.

March 19: Stephenville, NL – Holiday Inn Stephenville at 10a.m.

March 26: Marystown, NL – Marystown Hotel & Convention Centre at 10 a.m.

March 27: Clarenville, NL – St. Jude Hotel at 10a.m.

March 31: Black Harbour, NB – Stella Maris Community Centre (327 Main St.) at 10 a.m.

April 1: Moncton, NB – Holiday Inn Express (2515 Mountain Rd.) at 10 a.m.

April 2: Summerside, PE – Loyalist Lakeview Inn at 10 a.m.

April 8: Caraquet, NB - École des Pêches du N.-B at 10 a.m.

April 9: Grande Rivière, QC – CNAP (70, du Parc St., behind École des pêches) at 10 a.m.

April 10: Îles de la Madeleine, QC – Auberge Madeli at 10 a.m.

April 11: Sept-Îles, QC – Hôtel Gouverneur at 10 a.m.

April 14: Port Hawkesbury, NS – Maritime Inn at 10 a.m.

April 15: Dartmouth, NS – Holiday Inn Harbourview at 10 a.m.

April 16: Yarmouth, NS – Rodd Grand Hotel at 10 a.m.