Like Gulliver pinned down by those frightened Lilliputians, the phenomenal growth potential of Canadian aquaculture is being hog-tied because of government and financial policies that are suffocating development. That was the message delivered on the opening day of How to Farm the Sea, an international conference co-sponsored by AIMS and The Canadian Aquaculture Institute.
The 1996 changes to the Employment Insurance system were supposed to encourage seasonal workers to work more and draw less from the EI fund. For fishermen, at least, that hasn't happened. Instead of discouraging people from becoming seasonal fishermen, the system has increased the number of fishermen over the two years since the reforms were implemented. Prior to 1996, fishermen needed to work for at least 12 weeks and had to earn a minimum amount to qualify for unemployment insurance. But in 1996 the basis changed from weeks worked to sales alone. Net sales of as little as $2,500 worth of fish were enough to qualify a fisherman for a half year of benefits In total the easy availability of fisheries EI benefits contributed to many more people entering the fishery than were bought out during the moratorium. Communications Director Peter Fenwick argues that the time limit must be restored if a disaster is to be averted Publication: NP, September 28, 2000
AIMS brings together leading national and international experts to clarify both the strengths and weaknesses of aquaculture, and to lay down the basis for a sensible public policy framework to govern the industry.
How to Farm the Seas II to be held in Vancouver in February 2001
Dr. Douglas Powell to advise aquaculture conference on appropriate management of risk factors in food safety
AIMS and CAI invite world's leading authorities on aquaculture to PEI to discuss industry's future on east coast
Deux instituts, AIMS et CAI, invitent les chefs de fil dans le domaine de l'aquaculture à discuter de l'avenir de l'industrie sur la côte Est
Publications:MTT, HDN August 22, 1999. By Fred McMahon
Don Cayo examines the gap between the headlines and the realities of economic growth in Atlantic Canada.
Fred McMahon examines the seal fishery and the "war" of videos.