The FCC Board of Directors Spring Meeting was held in Ottawa on April 7. Agenda items
included the Canada-EU Free Trade negotiations; the EU Catch Certificate regime; CFIA’s
plant construction, equipment, and sanitation Schedules I & II initiative; the upcoming CFIA
aquatic animal health import & export permits initiative; the endangered species legislation
review; federal/provincial/territorial fisheries ministers June 2010 meeting regarding secure
catch shares/ITQs/property rights; DFO’s network of marine protected areas initiative; and
the recent ruling of the Newfoundland & Labrador Supreme Court of Appeal regarding the
payment of bonuses to fish harvesters. Senior officials from the Department of Fisheries of
Council joined the Board in the afternoon with discussions continuing at a reception/dinner
event in the evening.
Some of the key action items stemming from the meeting were (i) get DFO to simplify the
catch certificate process – it’s time consuming and Iceland has a one page certificate; (ii)
press CFIA’s Vice President of Operations and the Regional Directors for a reasoned &
phased–in implementation of the Schedule I & II initiative including an Ottawa-based
oversight; (iii) once the Environment Committee has submitted its report, re-engage DFO to
get the policy changes highlighted in the FCC’s submission; (iv) submit a paper to the
federal/provincial/territorial fisheries ministers on the need to move forward to establish
secure catch shares for fishing enterprises; develop proposed criteria for identifying and
establishing a network of MPAs that are credible and fishing industry friendly; (v) pursue with
the NL’s Association of Seafood Producers regarding the possibility of an appeal to the
Supreme Court of Canada.
Labelling Of Seafood in Canada
Donald Davies, NDP, Vancouver Kingsway, has introduced a private members bill in the
House of Commons that would require all fish imported or packaged in Canada to be
labelled “wild” or “farmed raised”. It received First Reading at the end of March. It is
uncertain when it would be submitted for Second Reading, etc.
US Seafood Retail Sales Strong in 2009
With the weak US economy, people are eating out less and preparing more meals at home.
This is evidenced by the shift in retail seafood sales. The seafood retail department tripled
the average dollar growth of any other perishable department in 2009, up 5.6% for the 52
week period ending November 28, 2009. Haddock, tilapia, and lobster were the retail sales
winners. The seafood department includes fresh seafood (81.5%); prepared seafood
(15.3%) and other seafood –sauces, dips, spreads, etc accounting for 3.2% of total sales of
the seafood department sales. The seafood department’s average sales were up in all
regions of the USA with the South and West recording the highest percentage growth.
BRC Internal Auditor Course: April 15-16, Marine Institute, St. John’s
The Marine Institute will be providing 2-day a BRC internal auditor course targeted to
Quality and Technical Managers; personnel responsible for managing an internal auditing
schedule; and personnel responsible for undertaking internal audits as required by BRC
Standards. Cost is $875 plus HST.
Energy Use in Fisheries: International Symposium – Seattle, November 14-17, 2010
A global symposium on “Energy use in Fisheries: Improving Efficiency and Technological
Innovation from a Global Perspective” will be held in conjunction with the Pacific Marine
Expo in Seattle, Washington, November 14 -17, 2010. Sponsors include the FAO, NOAA
Fisheries Service, and the World Bank. Panel topics include:
• Increased profits by reducing costs;
• Reducing the carbon foot print;
• Near and emerging energy saving technologies;
• Regulatory changes to reduce energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions;
• Alternative fuels and distribution systems;
• Changes in boat, power plant, and gear design to increase fuel efficiencies.
For more information go to www.energyfish.nmfs.noaa.gov or contact Chris Moore at
Christopher.M.Moore@noaa.gov or 301-713-2379.
