New Arrangements for Fisheries Management in Newfoundland and Labrador

Lead Researcher and Department
David Vardy, Public Policy Research Centre, Memorial University and Eric Dunne

Collaborators and Students
Public Policy Research Centre of Memorial University

Funding Resources
Royal Commission on Renewing and Strengthening Our Place in Canada Research Paper

Summary
This report provides an analysis of fisheries management in Newfoundland and Canada through the late nineteenth and twentieth century to the present. It discusses the strengths and weaknesses of the current management regime and division of powers. It recommends the establishment of a federal-provincial policy board to examine the current state of fisheries management and establish stock rebuilding goals for all major stocks, as well as measures for restoration of the fisheries habitat and eco-system to the pre overfishing level and a major restructuring of fisheries management.

A new set of policy objectives for management of the fishing industry are proposed, including:

Priority on conservation while providing a viable industry which respects the rights of First Nations and the claim to priority of access by people in adjacent fishing communities;

A greater place for the values and aspirations of women participants;

The implementation of measures to rebuild depleted stocks; and,

Institutional changes within the province to build a strong conservation ethic and an informed awareness of fishery management issues.

http://www.exec.gov.nl.ca/royalcomm/research/pdf/Vardy.pdf

Dates
2003

Keywords
Fishery management, Conservation; Federal Provincial policy

Locations
Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
St. John's

Industry Sectors
Fishing (Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting — Fishing, Hunting and Trapping)

Thematic Categories
Fishing Industry (Fisheries)
Fishery Policy (Intergovernmental Affairs)

Departments
Harris Centre (STJ)