P.E.I. lands 2010 international coastal zone conference

By Andy Walker

SOU’WESTER

Prince Edward Island will be hosting the 2010 international conference of the Coastal Zone Canada Association from July 24 to 29.

The announcement was made recently by Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development Minister Allan Campbell, whose department is involved in the organization of the conference. This is the first time the international conference has been held in Prince Edward Island. It is expected to attract more than 600 delegates.

"It is most fitting that this conference be held here in our Island province," said Campbell. "As an Island surrounded by water, the coastal zone is of special interest and significance to us."

Campbell said he will be inviting government departments with a stake in the coastal zone, fisheries and aquaculture organizations and environmental and watershed groups to provide their ideas and suggestions for the conference program.

The theme of the 2010 conference is Healthy Oceans - Strong Coastal Communities.

The Coastal Zone Canada Association is a national association that focuses on the sustainable management and conservation of Canada’s coastal areas. It provides a forum for the exchange of ideas and information concerning the sustainable use and development of the coastal zone of Canada and around the world.

Larry Hildebrand, co-founder and vice-president of the association, said he is excited about bringing the biennial conference to Prince Edward Island.

"Perhaps no where else in Canada is the connection between what we do on land and our ability to prosper from the sea more direct and intimate than in Prince Edward Island," he said. "The conference will be a perfect opportunity to explore this relationship in some depth and to benefit from experiences on the Island, from across Canada and around the globe."