Conservative MP John Duncan (Vancouver Island North, B.C.) opened a new Visitor Centre at the Quinsam River Hatchery on behalf of Fisheries and Oceans Minister Keith Ashfield (Fredericton, N.B.). The Visitor Centre showcases the work of the hatchery and the Salmonid Enhancement Program in sustaining Pacific salmon and supporting fisheries, and is part of the … Read more
On behalf of Fisheries and Oceans Minister Keith Ashfield (Fredericton, N.B.), Conservative MP Wai Young (Vancouver South, B.C.) presented Art Childs of North Vancouver with a 2012 Small Craft Harbours Prix d'Excellence. Childs received the Prix d'Excellence under the category of "National Individual Commitment" for his devotion to the success of the False Creek Harbour … Read more
For the first time in over 60 years, a North Pacific right whale has been spotted in British Columbia waters. Fisheries and Oceans Canada biologist James Pilkington made the discovery while surveying for whales off the west coast of Haida Gwaii aboard the CCGS Arrow Post, a Canadian Coast Guard vessel, on June 9, 2013. … Read more
On behalf of Fisheries and Oceans Minister Keith Ashfield (Fredericton, N.B.), Conservative MP Randy Kamp (Pitt Meadows–Maple Ridge-Mission, B.C.) and Conservative MP Robert Sopuck (Dauphin-Swan River-Marquette, Man.) announced that the government is delivering on its commitment, as outlined in Economic Action Plan 2013, to support the protection, restoration and rebuilding of recreational fisheries habitat by … Read more
On behalf of Fisheries and Oceans Minister Keith Ashfield (Fredericton, N.B.), National Defence Minister Peter MacKay (Central Nova, N.S.) joined with local officials to officially transfer ownership of the Port Bickerton, N.S., lighthouse to the Municipality of the District of St. Mary's. Under an established Treasury Board of Canada directive, Fisheries and Oceans Canada divested … Read more
Fisheries and Oceans Minister Keith Ashfield (Fredericton, N.B.), Environment Minister Peter Kent (Thornhill, Ont.), and Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq (Nunavut) issued a joint statement saying they are pleased to confirm that the majority of Inuit hunters will be able to continue to sell narwhal by-products resulting from their subsistence hunt on international markets. "This decision … Read more
Fisheries and Oceans Minister Keith Ashfield (Fredericton, N.B.) said Fisheries and Oceans Canada is very disappointed with reports that Greenland has changed its domestic policy on wild Atlantic salmon harvests, which could potentially exceed the internationally accepted limit by 35 tonnes. The purpose of international organizations like the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization is to … Read more
On behalf of Fisheries and Oceans Minister Keith Ashfield (Fredericton, N.B.), National Defence Minister Peter MacKay (Central Nova, N.S.) announced that the government is protecting two areas of the Scotian Shelf by closing them to bottom-contact fishing. This action protects a rare sponge off Nova Scotia on the eastern Scotian Shelf, Vazella Pourtalesi, from intrusive … Read more
On the occasion of World Oceans Day, Fisheries and Oceans Minister Keith Ashfield (Fredericton, N.B.) issued a statement about the June 8th celebration. The full statement is available online. Call 613-990-7537.
Environment Minister Peter Kent (Thornhill, Ont.) and Fisheries and Oceans Minister Keith Ashfield (Fredericton, N.B.) announced new voluntary measures for merchant and cruise ships to reduce the risk of collisions with whales in areas of the St. Lawrence Estuary often frequented for feeding. "World Oceans Day is the perfect time to highlight the efforts of … Read more
