Intertidal Clam Sectoral Committee terms of reference

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Mandate

The mandate of the Intertidal Clam Sectoral Committee for the Pacific Region is to complement the role of the Clam Management Boards where regional co-ordination is needed. The intention is not to duplicate the mandate or responsibilities of the local area CMBs. The ICSC will provide a forum for the exchange of information and views between the fishing industry and DFO on issues important to the management of the fishery.

The Intertidal Clam Sectoral Committee has the following goals:

• Advise DFO on issues of regional significance in the clam fishery.
• Advise on activities for which regional co-ordination is essential, such as water quality monitoring
• Advise on the timing of commercial clam fishery openings.
• Allow the exchange of information between the stakeholders and DFO.
• 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.
• Recommend representatives to other advisory bodies, as required.

Organization

Advisors will be selected to represent the following stakeholders and will be responsible for keeping their constituents informed.

Recreational
Selection Method: Sport Fishing Advisory Board

Area Clam Management Board
Selection Method: a representative from each areas CMB or advisory board

First Nations
Selection Method: invitation to groups who indicate interested

Processors
Selection Method: selected to represent active buyers, processors, and depurators

Aquaculture
Selection Method: BC Shellfish Growers Association

Agencies
Selection Method: representatives from agencies that can affect the clam fishery (DFO, DOE, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, B.C. Ministry of Fisheries)

• Representatives to the ICSC will be expected to represent the collective interests of who they represent rather than their individual interests.
• Each area CMB will select their representative to the ICSC. DFO will appoint representatives from harvesters in areas without CMBs.
• The Aboriginal Fisheries Division of DFO will appoint First Nation representatives in consultation with Aboriginal groups.
• The Committee can invite other people to participate when appropriate.

Procedures

• DFO will chair the Committee meetings.
• Minutes of all meetings will be taken. They will be distributed to all advisors for approval, then made available publicly.
• Committee recommendations will only be made with the agreement of all advisors. When complete agreement cannot be reached, all consenting and dissenting opinions will be recorded in the minutes
• All Sectoral Committee meetings can be attended by observers, subject to prior approval by the chairperson to ensure adequate space is available. Observers cannot participate in the meeting, except as approved by the chairperson or during specified period on the agenda.
• 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 advisors before the meeting.