“Working co-operatively, let’s create healthier vibrant oceans”
OTTAWA, ON – Canada’s seafood farmers today joined Canadians from coast-to-coast-to-coast in reaffirming our commitment to achieving and celebrating clean, vibrant and sustainable oceans and waterways on #WorldOceansDay.
“Canadian seafood farmers depend on healthy aquatic ecosystems for our operations,” said Timothy Kennedy, Executive Director of the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA). “I firmly believe that innovative and responsible aquaculture is an important solution to reducing human pressure on oceans and waterways and getting our oceans back to health.”
“Canada produces the highest quality farmed seafood anywhere in the world. Our seafood farmers make their living from the oceans and waters of Canada, and with constant improvement based on research and innovation, are committed to their sustainability and protection.”
CAIA believes an important next step to further advance both the sustainability of aquaculture and our oceans is the establishment of a new federal National Aquaculture Act, echoed by the Finance Minister’s Economic Advisory Panel “Barton Report.” This new federal act would set clear, science-based, consistent standards for seafood farming across the country, and allow for much greater federal-provincial coordination in how our industry is managed.
The Government of Canada proposed the concept of World Oceans Day at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro and the day has been celebrated internationally ever since. As of 2009, June 8 has been officially declared by the United Nations as "World Oceans Day" to raise global awareness of challenges faced in connection with the oceans.
Aquaculture is the fastest growing food production sector in the world. In Canada, it generates $3.1 billion for the national economy, and takes place in every province, plus the Yukon. Aquaculture supports 15,000 jobs in coastal, rural and Indigenous communities across Canada.
-30-
For further information, please contact:
Sheri Beaulieu
Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA)
sheri.beaulieu@aquaculture.ca
613-239-0612 (225)