Recreational Fishing Agreement Reached

Federal and provincial fisheries officials have signed a memorandum of understanding that outlines how governments will manage recreational fisheries in Nova Scotia.

Chris d'Entremont, Nova Scotia's Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, and Robert Thibault, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), signed the Canada-Nova Scotia memorandum of understanding on recreational fisheries today, Sept. 17.

Nova Scotia will continue to be responsible for recreational fisheries it has managed for many years, including trout, land- locked salmon and smallmouth bass. DFO will maintain responsibility for the conservation of fish and fish habitat for these and other species, as well as the provision of programs for Aboriginal groups.

"Conservation and sustainable development of recreational fisheries is a priority for Nova Scotia," said Mr. d'Entremont. "Collaborating on this memorandum of understanding will benefit recreational fishers and fisheries resources across the province."

Mr. Thibault said the memorandum of understanding "enables us to improve co-operation and co-ordination in the planning and delivery of programs for recreational fisheries in Nova Scotia."

The two governments will establish a Canada-Nova Scotia Recreational Fisheries Management Committee to review the agreement's implementation.

Included in the memorandum is a commitment to:

• collaborate on the establishment of freshwater research priorities;
• work together on ways and means to prevent illegal releases of live fish into fish habitat and;
• improve and co-ordinate enforcement activities.

Both parties have also committed to work, both informally and through the Canadian Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers (CCFAM), to develop a co-ordinated national approach to development, marketing and research in support of recreational fisheries.

The Canada-Nova Scotia Memorandum of Understanding on Recreational Fisheries is available on the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Web site at www.gov.ns.ca/nsaf/sportfishing/ .