Liaison Committee Between Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Quebec Harvesting Sector
Table of contents
Terms of reference
Marine fisheries is a sector in constant transformation and improvement of fisheries management initiatives require increased and constant communication between Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and the fish harvesting sector.
In this sense, the Liaison Committee between the DFO and the Quebec region fish harvesting sector aims to promote dialogue and exchange of information on policy initiatives in the field of exploitation of marine resources, their implementation and the establishment of guidelines serving the interests of the industry in Quebec.
The Liaison Committee can also serve as a vehicle for the development of collaborations between DFO and the industry as well as in the context of consultation processes.
Finally, it may channel the expectations, concerns and requests of the members with respect to DFO within the Committee.
However, the Liaison Committee does not want and cannot substitute itself for the formal consultation process held on a specific issue.
Members
The Liaison Committee will be composed of 20 to 25 representatives of the fish harvesting industry of the Quebec region (see membership in annex).
Fisheries and Oceans Canada will be represented by five permanent members. Three additional members could be invited depending of the topics discussed.
The ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation du Québec will also be represented at the Liaison Committee.
Each member may be accompanied by a reasonable number of representatives. Only one representative per association who is a member of the Liaison Committee may sit at the main table at one time.
Observers or experts will be allowed to participate on request.
The Liaison Committee will be chaired by the Fisheries Management Regional Director or the Regional Director General of DFO, region of Quebec.
Operation
Frequency of Meetings
The Liaison Committee will meet in person once a year, in the fall. The topics discussed at the meetings will be determined in collaboration between DFO and the members of the Liaison Sub-Committee.
Calls or ad hoc meetings could be convened as required.
Liaison Sub-Committee
The Liaison Committee will be assisted in its mandate by a permanent sub-committee in order to deal with specific themes determined by the Committee during the annual meeting.
This sub-committee reports to the Liaison Committee and is chaired by DFO’s Regional Manager, Resource management - Policies and Harmonization, Quebec Region.
The composition of the sub-committee will be determined by DFO according to the following criteria:
- 7 members from the Liaison Committee representative associations: 3 from Gaspé-Lower St. Lawrence area, 2 from North Shore area and 2 from Magdalen Islands area
- 2 members from Indigenous organizations (AMIK and MMAFMA- one member per organization)
- 2 members from Fisheries and Oceans Canada (Regional Manager and Senior Advisor, Policies and Programs)
- 1 secretary (regional agent from DFO)
Additional representatives from industry or DFO could be invited on an ad hoc basis depending on the topics covered.
DFO could also use the Liaison Sub-Committee as a "target group" to consult with industry on certain issues between two Liaison Committee meetings.
The Liaison Sub-Committee will meet in person once or twice a year. Virtual meetings or meetings on the margins of other meetings (2 to 3) could also be organized to ensure files progress. After the Liaison subcommittee meetings, DFO will send follow-up of work to all members of the Liaison committee. Members of the Liaison Committee will be able to comment on the progress of the work of the subcommittee.
The progress of the Liaison Sub-Committee's work will be presented at the Liaison Committee's annual meeting.
Communications and Logistics
Fisheries and Oceans Canada will provide the secretariat and logistical support to the Liaison Committee and the Liaison Sub-Committee, including invitations to meetings, the preparation of the agendas and the drafting of minutes of the meetings. The information will be transmitted as far as possible by electronic means.
Contact
418-953-1761