Canada’s fish farmers welcome new Act
CANADIAN fish farmers have welcomed the decision by the federal government to move ahead with an Aquaculture Act.
The Canadian Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers agreed on December 5 to advance the process that will lead to federal legislation.The sector’s potential was identified in the Agri-food Report, published in September, which said it could nearly double production, from 200,565 tonnes in 2016 to 381,900 tonnes in 2028.
‘The timely development and passage of a federal Aquaculture Act is the most important and overriding need for the sustainable and competitive growth of aquaculture in Canada,’ said Timothy Kennedy, executive director of the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance. ‘There is such incredible opportunity for this young and innovative sector. Canada remains the world’s only major farmed seafood producing country without modern national legislation specifically designed to govern a responsible and sustainable aquaculture industry.
‘With a supportive policy and regulatory environment focused on innovation, economic growth and sustainability for our sector, our industry is ready to seize this opportunity, creating new middle-class jobs and growing our economy.’