OTTAWA – A strong, freshwater fishing industry is important for the many fish harvesters that depend on it for their livelihoods.
To ensure the industry continues to thrive, the Government of Canada is taking action to transform the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation (FFMC) so it continues to provide economic benefits to fish harvesters and Indigenous communities who depend on this vital service to bring their products to market.
Today, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, announced the establishment of a Ministerial Advisory Panel to look at ways to transform the FFMC so it remains modern and competitive in today's open market. The Panel will explore new governance and ownership models that support collaboration and cooperation amongst fish harvesters and involve them in decision-making. As part of its review, the Panel will assess opportunities for new partnership arrangements with organizations that could play a role in these new models for the FFMC.
The Panel will report back to the Minister in early 2019. Any decisions on the future of the FFMC will be made in an open and transparent manner with harvesters, Indigenous and other communities, industry, provinces and territories and other partners in the freshwater fishing industry.
In the meantime, the FFMC will continue to provide its highly valued services to harvesters and communities.
Source: Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Canada
