Recreational Commercial Salmon Allocation Implementation Committee (RCAIC) terms of reference
Mandate
The Recreational - Commercial Salmon Allocation Implementation Committee (AIC) will be a forum to discuss issues related to implementation of the Allocation Policy for Pacific Salmon.
The role of the AIC is to provide advice to the Minister regarding specific allocation issues that have a direct impact on both the recreational and commercial sectors.
In announcing the Policy, the Minister identified several Principles related to allocation. The AIC will work within the Principles identified in the Policy. The AIC can recommend changes to the
Principles on a consensus basis1. In addition, Parties represented on the AIC can raise issues regarding the Principles in other forum including the Sport Fishing Advisory Board, the Commercial Salmon Fishing Advisory Board
or directly with the Minister and Senior levels of the Department.
Issues may be brought to the Committee by either party of the Department and dealt with on a consensus basis. Under these terms of reference, the AIC can propose changes to the Policy based on agreement of all members.
Consensus is a process for making decisions, in this case decisions on what recommendations to put forward to the Department. Its main feature is that no action is taken unless all members of the group can support the action, or
agree not to obstruct it. Consensus does not require that everyone be in complete agreement, but only that all will be willing to accept - consent to - a decision.
Guiding principles
The following principles will be used to guide decisions on the structure and operations of the AIC:
Transparent:
There should be transparency throughout the process based on open lines of communication and the provision of timely, accurate, accessible, clear and objective information. This information should be available to
all participants in the process on an equal basis. Organizers should provide access to agendas and information needed as a starting point for informed discussion well in advance of meetings. In addition, this information will be posted to a public website to ensure
accountability to all Canadians.
Accountable:
Participants who are representatives of a constituency are expected to bring to the discussion the general views, knowledge and experience of those they represent, and bring back an awareness and understanding to their constituencies about deliberations of the consultation
activity and reasons for decisions taken. All participants share accountability for the success of the process. The Department is accountable to participants for explaining how their advice/input was used and why and how decisions are taken.
Inclusive representation:
Representation on advisory bodies should relate to the mandate and function of the committee. Participation in advisory processes should be fairly balanced and reflect a broad range of interests in fisheries and oceans issues in the Pacific Region, to the extent possible, so that
a diversity of perspectives is involved.
Effective:
All participants should be satisfied that the process can achieve the goals of the mandate. This does not mean that participants will always agree with the final advice, outcome or recommendation. Processes must be cost-effective, and set and respect realistic timeframes.
Efficient:
The size of the advisory committee must be kept to a number that facilitates consensus-based discussion. Wherever possible, links to other departmental consultative processes will be made to realize efficiencies in consultation.
Structure
The AIC will be comprised of 11 representatives of the Commercial Fishing Advisory Board, and up to 11 representatives of the Sport Fishing Advisory Board and four representatives of the Department. The Province of British Columbia will participate in an ex officio capacity. The departmental
contact for the AIC will be the Regional Resource Manager - Salmon.
Roles and responsibilities
Identification of issues that are pertinent to the recreational and commercial fishery not clarified in the Allocation Policy. Either recreational, commercial or Departmental representatives can identify issues for discussion.
Development of consensus recommendations to be considered by fishery managers when making management decisions that might impact on allocation.
Provide advice to DFO on specific issues related to inter-sectoral allocation in pre-season planning (or in-season if needed).
Reporting
Detailed minutes will be kept and administered by DFO.
The participating parties agree to disseminate all minutes, advice and action items to appropriate constituencies represented by the members.
Decision making
Members will not agree to any proposed actions unless they are confident the actions will be generally supported and are in the best interest of the constituency members.
Glossary
The following glossary will be used to define specific terms in use by the Allocation Implementation Committee.
Bycatch means the unintended harvest of one species while fishing for another species.
Incidental Harvest means the unintended harvest of one stock of a species of fish while targeting fishing on other stocks of the same species.
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