Statement - Update on Total Allowable Catch allocation for the Arctic Surf Clam Fishery

OTTAWA, Sept. 11, 2018 /CNW/ - The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, confirmed today that the remaining 25 per cent of the 2018 and 2019 Total Allowable Catch (TAC) will be made available to the current licence holder, with a view to identify a new participant for the 2020 Surf Clam fishery. This will allow for the economic benefits to remain in coastal communities while Fisheries and Oceans Canada continues to work to broaden access to this fishery.

In order to move forward on implementing enhanced access and promoting reconciliation, we will be launching a new Expression of Interest process to identify an Indigenous entity to hold a fourth license for this fishery in the spring of 2019, so that the participant can begin fishing a new license in 2020. An independent third-party will evaluate the submissions received. Further details on this process will be made available in due course.

The decision to introduce Indigenous participation in the Arctic Surf Clam fishery is consistent with the Government of Canada's commitment to developing a renewed relationship between Canada and Indigenous peoples. Enhancing access to the Arctic Surf Clam fishery broadens the distribution of benefits from this public resource, and is a powerful step toward reconciliation.

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SOURCE Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Canada