Shrimp Trawl Sectoral Committee terms of reference

Mandate

The Shrimp Trawl Sectoral Committee provides a forum for the exchange of information and views between the people involved with the industry and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) on issues important to the management of the fishery. It should be noted that DFO’s primary mandate remains the conservation and protection of stocks to ensure long-term, sustainable harvest. The Sectoral Committee is not a voting body; the intent is for DFO to receive a broad range of advice from stakeholders and other concerned parties. DFO, however, remains the decision making authority. The purpose of the sectoral committee is to act as a vehicle for positive change. It is essential that members assume the responsibility of keeping themselves informed to achieve effective and productive meetings.

The Sectoral Committee has the following goals:

• Allow the exchange of information between First Nations, commercial, and recreational fishing interests, and DFO.
• Advise on the development of annual Management Plans for the fishery.
• Develop cooperative programs, joint projects, and partnerships to develop long-term management strategies for the fishery, including:
  • Provide information and advice regarding stock assessment and biological research for the fishery.
  • Develop means to reduce bycatch in the shrimp trawl industry.
• Advise the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard 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

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

• Licence holder representatives will be selected either by a vote conducted by DFO of the licence holders of record or by organisations representing the licence holders. DFO may appoint additional advisors to ensure representation from all geographic areas and gear groups.
• Processors will be selected by DFO to represent all active buyers and processors in the fishery.
• First Nations representatives will be identified following consultation with First Nations groups.
• Advisors will be elected or appointed for a three year term. Licence holders may select another current advisor to represent them during the three years. Advisors will not be added unless the Committee provides unanimous consent.
• Each advisor will identify an alternate, who may attend all meetings but only participate if the advisor is absent.
• The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, 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

• Minutes of all meetings will be taken. They will be distributed to all advisors for approval, then made available to the public. The information will be available on the following internet links from the Shellfish Consultations webpage.
• 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. 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 advisors before the meeting.
• The Sectoral Committee will consider developing a code of conduct that, if violated, provides the basis for dismissal from the Committee. Repeated absence from meetings and blatant violations against the Fisheries Act or Regulations would be considered adequate grounds for dismissal.

Upcoming changes to the sectoral committee

With the recent changes in organization for the commercial licence holders, and increasing interest from other parties in participating on the formal sectoral committee, DFO will be putting forward recommendations for changes in the sectoral committee membership and mandate. DFO will consult with the current sectoral committee and others in developing the recommendations.