TORONTO, ON—The Canadian Section of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission formally expanded the Canadian Committee of Advisors, adding environmental, academic, aboriginal, and public-at-large representation to the committee, which already includes sport and commercial fishing interests.  During the first meeting of the expanded committee, Commissioners and advisors praised the heightened mutual commitment to communications and cooperation for better management of the Great Lakes fishery.  Expansion of the Committee was welcomed by senior management officials of both the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.

The Great Lakes Fishery Commission was established by a treaty between Canada and the United States in 1955 to conduct a binational fisheries research program, to control the exotic sea lamprey, and to make recommendations to governments on ways in which the fishery can be sustained.  In carrying out its duties the Commission relies on input from management agencies and various stakeholder groups.  The new Committee of Advisors is intended to broaden the input received by the commission.

“The Canadian Section is very pleased to have more interaction with a with a wider variety of Great Lakes users,” said Canadian Section Chair Dr. David Balsillie, the chief architect of the expanded committee.  “We have benefited tremendously over the years from the input we have received from the sport and commercial fisheries advisors.  By adding environmental, academic, public-at-large, and aboriginal advisors to the Committee, we foresee even greater communications and, ultimately, better management of the fishery.”

Rob Graham of the Ontario Commercial Fisheries Association, the Committees’ newly elected chairman added:  “It is vital for us as stakeholders to communicate to resource managers the steps we deem necessary to protect the Great Lakes fishery over the long-term.  The expanded Canadian Committee of Advisors will heighten our ability to interact with the commissioners, and, hopefully, will allow us to more easily convey our expertise to the Commission.  We commend the Canadian Section, the federal government and the Ontario government for their efforts to seek and consider input from those of us who have a stake in the Great Lakes fishery.  We look forward not only to working with the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, but also we are enthused to improve our discourse with the other groups represented on the Committee.”

During the first meeting of the expanded Canadian Committee of Advisors, Advisors elected Rob Graham of the Ontario Commercial Fisheries Association as Chair; economist Dr. Ted Cowan representing the public-at-large as Vice-Chair; and Dr. Terry Quinney of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters as Secretary.  Other member of the Committee include Dr. Don Jackson of the University of Toronto, representing Academia and Mr. John Jackson, Past President of Great Lakes United, representing environmental interests.  The aboriginal position has yet to be filled.  For more information about the Canadian Committee of Advisors and to view the Committee’s Terms of Reference, visit http://www.glfc.org/canadv.htm on the internet or contact the Great Lakes Fishery Commission.