Thirty new fishery officers set to take up duty

Thirty new fishery officers gave graduated from the fishery officer training program.

Seven officers will be posted in Newfoundland and Labrador, six officers will be posted in the Central and Arctic region, four officers will be posted in the Gulf region, seven officers will be posted in the Maritimes, and six officers will be posted in the Pacific region.

"I am impressed by the quality and caliber of the new officers and would like to congratulate them for completing the rigorous training program and for their dedication to a career in the public service," said Fisheries and Oceans Minister Loyola Hearn. “Our government takes protection of fish and fish habitat seriously, and their work will make a real difference to help ensure that fish stocks will be enjoyed by future generations."

These newly appointed officers are charged with enforcement of the Fisheries Act and the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act, as well as many other acts and regulations relating to fisheries on Canadian waters, in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) regulatory area, and off Canada’s eastern and northern shores.

In addition to protecting fish and fish habitat, Fishery Officers promote compliance and conservation, stewardship and sustainability of fisheries for future generations. The 36-month training program consists of in-class as well as in the field training. Skills acquired during the course range from fish identification, conducting patrols, negotiations and enforcement methods. Cadets also learn federal fisheries and habitat policies, and legislation, as well as communications techniques and the basics of the Canadian judicial system.

The graduation ceremony was held at the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Training Academy in Regina.

In 2006, the Government of Canada committed to increasing the number of fisheries officers to ensure our fisheries resources are protected for generations to come. Since this time, the Government has delivered by graduating 135 new Fishery Officers.