Nova Scotia Pleased with Proposed Fisheries Act Amendments

Proposed amendments to the Canada Fisheries Act is good news for Nova Scotia's fishery.

"We need modern legislation to manage our modern fisheries," said Ronald Chisholm, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. "The proposed bill would bring more transparency to allocation decisions, which the province has been requesting for many years. It will also establish a stronger administrative process to help get violators out of the fishery faster.

"Under the present system, all fisheries cases go through the courts and penalties are not strict enough to be a deterrent."

Bill C-32, tabled in the House of Commons last week, would allow the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans to harmonize a number of regulatory activities that they share with provinces.

The proposed act would also enable the federal government to work with fishing sectors to establish co-management plans so government and industry can determine the best methods of managing issues within the fishery.

The text of the new act has been changed to address concerns expressed when the bill was last introduced. After receiving second reading in Parliament, the bill will be scheduled for the federal law amendments committee, where suggestions for further changes can be made.

"I encourage everyone involved in Nova Scotia's fishery to review the proposed legislation and be part of the discussion, so the new act will reflect industries' needs," said Mr. Chisholm.