Crab multisectoral committee terms of reference

Mandate

The Crab Multisectoral Committee, hereinafter referred to as the Committee, provides a forum for the exchange of information and views between First Nations, stakeholders, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) on issues important to the management and policy of the fishery. The Committee is not a voting body; the intent is for DFO to receive a broad range of advice from First Nations and stakeholders. This process shall not replace bilateral consultation and relationships between First Nations and DFO. DFO remains the decision-making authority.

The Committee has the following goals:

• Allow the exchange of information between First Nations, stakeholders, and DFO.
• Advise on the development of the annual Integrated Fisheries Management Plan (IFMP) for the fishery.
• Advise on the development of long-term management strategies for the fishery.
• Provide information and advice regarding stock assessment and biological research for the fishery.
• Advise the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada on the use of discretionary penalties against harvesters caught violating the rules and regulations of the fishery.
• Recommend representatives to other advisory bodies, as required.

Organization

• Representatives will be selected to represent the following groups and will be responsible for keeping their constituents informed.



Commercial licence holders	7 representatives, one per Crab Management Area, selected to represent eligible licence holders
First Nations	1 or more representatives, selected to represent First Nations interests
Recreational	1 representative, selected to represent recreational fishing interests
Processors	2 representatives, selected to represent active buyers and processors
Other representatives	1 representative, if necessary, selected to represent other significant interests in the fishery (e.g., parks, aquaculture, crew)

• Commercial licence holder representatives will be selected either by a vote of eligible licence holders facilitated by DFO or by organizations representing the licence holders. DFO may appoint additional advisors to ensure representation from all Crab Management Areas.
• Seats are provided to First Nations to bring forward operational concerns and feedback regarding the management plan to the Committee.
• A seat is provided to recreational fishers to bring forward operational concerns and feedback regarding the management plan to the Committee.
• Processors will be selected by DFO in consultation with commercial licence holder representatives to represent active buyers and processors in the fishery.
• Committee representatives will be elected or appointed for a three year term. Commercial licence holders may select another representative, such as a Crab Management Area representative, to represent them during the three years.
• Each representative will identify an alternate, who may attend all meetings but only participate if the representative is absent.
• The Ministry of Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship, and, if necessary, other Ministries, will represent the Province of B.C. on the Committee.
• DFO will chair the Committee meetings. Other DFO staff will attend as appropriate.
• The Committee can invite other people to participate when appropriate.

Procedures

• A meeting record will be and will be distributed to all representatives for approval before they are finalized. Once finalized, meeting records will then be made available to the public upon request.
• Committee recommendations will only be made with the agreement of all representatives. When complete agreement cannot be reached, all consenting and dissenting opinions will be recorded in the minutes.
• Committee meetings can be attended by observers, subject to prior approval by the chairperson. These observers cannot participate in the meeting unless approved by the chairperson.
• The chairperson can appoint subcommittees to report on specific tasks. The subcommittee will require clear objectives, members identified (including the chairperson), and set deadlines.
• There must be at least one meeting a year to consider the annual management plan. The chairperson can call other meetings as required. The chairperson will prepare an agenda and circulate it to all representatives before the meeting.
• The Committee will consider developing a code of conduct that, if violated, provided the basis for dismissal.