CANADA, August 20 -
Summary
- Federal, provincial and territorial fisheries and aquaculture ministers gathered for the annual Canadian Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers meeting
- It was held in Victoria from Aug. 17-20, 2026
- Randene Neill, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, was co-chair for the 2026 meeting
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Randene Neill, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, has released the following statement acknowledging the annual meeting of the Canadian Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers (CCFAM) in Victoria from Aug. 17-20, 2026:
“It was an honour to welcome federal, provincial and territorial fisheries and aquaculture ministers to beautiful Victoria. Together, we discussed our shared priorities, the challenges and opportunities facing these sectors, and the families, workers and coastal communities that depend on healthy marine ecosystems from coast to coast to coast.
“As this year’s co-chair, I was proud to help advance collaboration on the issues that matter so much to Canadians, including strengthening trade and competitiveness for our harvesters, supporting sustainable growth of our seafood sector, addressing invasive species and climate change, and combating illegal fishing.
“Collaborative forums such as CCFAM provide an important opportunity for governments to work together on practical solutions that support economic resilience and healthy aquatic ecosystems. That’s critical to ensuring a strong future for Canada’s fisheries, aquaculture sector and coastal communities.
“Healthy salmon populations and resilient watersheds are the foundation of strong coastal communities and a sustainable fish and seafood sector. Building on our continued advocacy to the federal government, B.C. successfully renewed fisheries funding, with $106.5 million over five years. The BC Fisheries Fund will support projects that benefit B.C. fisheries, boost seafood market diversification and strengthen the health of our watersheds and oceans. This partnership demonstrates the power of federal-provincial collaboration, which will help deliver outcomes for coastal communities, salmon restoration and strong, sustainable recreational and commercial fisheries and seafood sectors for decades to come.
“The fisheries and seafood sector supports thousands of jobs and plays a vital role in the economic, cultural and environmental well-being of coastal and First Nations communities throughout Canada. Here in B.C., we have more than 100 seafood species and export more than 190 products internationally.
“These industries – commercial and sport fishing, aquaculture, seafood processing and more – generate billions of dollars in annual revenue and create thousands of jobs in communities all along our coast. We’re proud of the work that we have done to grow and diversify these sectors and strengthen our province’s position in the global economy, while keeping sustainability, conservation and local food security in focus.
“During our discussions, I highlighted B.C.’s ongoing priorities, including support for salmon recovery, watershed protection, recreational fishing data, invasive-mussel prevention, timely and effective permitting processes for major projects and greater certainty regarding the future of aquaculture and the transition of open-net pen operations. I will continue advocating for measures that support healthy ecosystems, sustainable fisheries and strong coastal economies, consistent with B.C.’s Coastal Marine Strategy.
“I’m grateful to my federal, provincial and territorial colleagues for their ongoing commitment to this work. I look forward to continuing to build a sustainable, innovative and prosperous future for Canada’s fisheries and aquaculture sectors, together.”
Quick Facts:
- CCFAM is the primary multi-lateral engagement forum between federal, provincial and territorial governments to address fisheries and aquaculture issues of national importance.
- CCFAM’s primary mandate is promoting interjurisdictional co-operation in freshwater and marine fisheries and aquaculture issues of national importance and providing a forum to establish and meet common goals.
- CCFAM meets annually.
- The 2025 meeting was held in Iqaluit.
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