Red sea urchin sectoral committee terms of reference

The annual Urchin Sectoral Committee includes both Red and Green Sea Urchin Fisheries. It is typically held in early spring.

Mandate

The Red and Green Sea Urchin Sectoral Committee provides a forum for the exchange of information and views between the stakeholders, clients and Fisheries and Oceans Canada on issues important to the management of red sea urchins in British Columbia.

The Sectoral Committee is not a voting body; the intent is for Fisheries and Oceans Canada to receive a broad range of advice from stakeholders. Fisheries and Oceans Canada, however remains the decision-making authority.

The Sectoral Committee has the following goals:

• allow the exchange of information between the stakeholders and Fisheries and Oceans Canada
• advise on the development of annual Management Plans 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 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