Health Canada Advises Canadians to Limit Consumption of Lobster Tomalleys
Health Canada Advises Canadians to Limit Consumption of Lobster Tomalleys
OTTAWA - Health Canada advises Canadians to limit their consumption of lobster tomalleys because a toxin specific to lobster and shellfish, known as paralytic shellfish poison, can sometimes be found in these organs.
This advice does not extend to canned lobster tomalleys because the risk is being controlled during processing. As well, this toxin is normally not detected in lobster meat and so there are no recommended restrictions on the consumption of lobster meat.
The tomalley is the soft, green substance found in the body cavity of the lobster. It functions as the liver and pancreas, and much like the liver of other animals, the lobster's tomalley is the natural filter for contaminants. Test results have shown that the tomalley can accumulate contaminants found in the environment. Although not widely consumed, tomalley is considered by some to be a delicacy.
Due to the possible presence of paralytic shellfish poison, Health Canada recommends that:
Adults should limit consumption of lobster tomalleys to no more than the amount from two lobsters per day;
Children should limit consumption of lobster tomalleys to no more than the amount from one lobster per day.
This toxin can affect the human nervous system and can be very serious if ingested in large amounts. Symptoms of a mild exposure include a tingling sensation or numbness of the lips shortly after eating. Larger exposures can lead to these symptoms spreading to the arms and legs, headaches, dizziness and nausea, and in rare cases more serious conditions, such as muscular paralysis, respiratory difficulty, choking and even death if medical attention is not received in time. Should you experience any of these symptoms after consuming lobster tomalley, you should immediately consult a health care professional.
It is estimated that there are as many as 13 million cases of food-related illnesses in Canada every year. Many of these illnesses could be prevented by following proper food handling and preparation techniques.
More information on paralytic shellfish poisoning in lobster is available at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Website.
Government of Canada Stands Up For Sealers and the Rule of Law
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
MINISTER'S STATEMENTS
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Government of Canada Stands Up For Sealers and the Rule of Law
March 27, 2008
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The Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today issued
the following statement:
I am gravely concerned with comments made by Paul Watson, leader of the extremist Sea Shepherd Society that he will disregard the Government of Canada's clear warning to stay outside of our waters and choose instead to
threaten the safety and livelihood of Canadian sealers.
Mr. Watson's organization has been known to cause physical harm and damageto property. Their flagship vessel, the Farley Mowat, proudly bears the names of fishing vessels it claims to have sunk.
Sealers in Atlantic Canada, Quebec and in the North should know that our government is standing up for their safety and security and will not accept such indiscriminate disregard of the law and the safety of our citizens.
Our government works hard to ensure the Canadian seal hunt is conducted in a humane, safe and sustainable manner and it adds a tremendous amount of value to those individuals who pursue it as their employment during a time when
economic opportunities are limited in many remote, coastal communities. We will not be bullied or blackmailed into forcing people who depend on the sealing industry out of their livelihood based on things that are simply baseless allegations. The Sea Shepherd Society is just another organization in a long list of those trying to bully the Canadian sealing industry.
In the days ahead we will be monitoring the situation very carefully, and taking every step to ensure the safety of our sealers.
FOr more Information:
Joshua Zanin
Special Assistant, Communications
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa
613-992-3474
MINISTER HEARN ANNOUNCES 2008 MANAGEMENT MEASURES FOR ATLANTIC SEAL HUNT
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
NEWS RELEASES
MINISTER HEARN ANNOUNCES 2008 MANAGEMENT MEASURES FOR ATLANTIC SEAL HUNT
March 10, 2008
TTAWA - The Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today announced the total allowable catch (TAC) and other management measures for the 2008 Atlantic seal hunt.
"The seal hunt is an economic mainstay for numerous rural communities in Atlantic Canada, Quebec and the North," said Minister Hearn. "It's with these people in mind we make decisions based on science to help maintain an economically viable and sustainable seal hunt."
The 2008 harp seal TAC has been set at 275,000, out of a herd of more than 5.5 million. This one-year TAC includes allocations of 2,000 seals for personal use, 4,950 seals for Aboriginal initiatives and a carry forward of 16,186 seals for those fleets who did not capture their quota from 2007.Once the carry forward is deducted, existing sharing arrangements remain in place, with the Front receiving about 70% of the TAC and about 30% for the
Gulf. The 2008 hooded seal TAC has been set at 8,200 animals out of a herd of 600,000.
The government has taken further steps to ensure the hunt continues to be conducted in a humane manner, adopting recommendations of the Independent Veterinarians Working Group.
Highlighting this government's commitment to a sustainable commercial hunt is Minister Hearn's direction to accelerate the next harp seal population
survey. To ensure DFO makes future decisions on the most up-to-date science, the Department has already started its population survey instead of waiting until 2009, as originally planned.
"Our fisheries science is among the world's best, and thanks to additional investments by this government, we are able to do even more," said Minister Hearn. "Having shorter periods between seal surveys allows us to more easily assess ice conditions, reproductive rates and other factors that affect Canada's harp seal population."
Canada's seal hunt is humane, sustainable and responsible. A number of independent reports have supported this over the years, including the recent European Food Safety Authority report on the animal welfare aspects of
global seal hunts.
Opening dates for the 2008 harp seal hunt will be announced in the coming
weeks, following consultation with industry.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Phil Jenkins
Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa
613-990-7537
Joshua Zanin
Special Assistant, Communications
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa
613-992-3474
Bonnie H. Morse
Office Manager
Phone: (506) 662-8482
Fax: (506
The Fisheries Resource Conservation Council to Study the Herring Fishery in Atlantice Canada
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
NEWS RELEASES
The Fisheries Resource Conservation Council to Study the Herring Fishery in
Atlantic Canada
January 16, 2008
OTTAWA - The Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Honourable Loyola Hearn, today announced that he has requested the Fisheries Resource Conservation Council (FRCC) to develop a long-term strategic approach to
Atlantic herring conservation.
"Considering the importance of the Atlantic herring in Atlantic Canada, Ihave asked the FRCC to consult widely with all stakeholders in order to understand and consider all the issues related to conservation of this key
resource and sustainability of the fishery," said Minister Hearn. "I have asked them to develop an Atlantic-wide Strategic Sustainability Framework to help ensure that the herring fishery continues on a sustainable basis."
The Atlantic herring fishery is the most important pelagic species in Atlantic Canada with annual landings of 160,000 t with a landed value of almost $40M. This is divided among a number of uses, including food products
and bait, and many users. In total, more than 7,700 harvesters participate in this fishery. As well as supporting an important commercial resource,
this species is also an important component of the ecosystem, being a key prey item in the diet of many other fish and mammals and, in turn, a predator of other fish species.
The FRCC will be expected to focus on herring science, management measures,harvesting practices, and the roles of all the stakeholders in the fishery,in mapping out recommendations to promote a sustainable fishery. As with
previous similar reports directed at American lobster and snow crab in Atlantic Canada, the Council will reflect the increasing emphasis being brought to ecosystem considerations in the understanding and management of
exploited marine species. The preliminary work will start this month with the full terms of reference to be finalized after a full appraisal of the fishery. The report is expected to be similar in nature to earlier such
reports dealing with snow crab (2005) and Atlantic lobster (2007). A report is expected by June 2009.
Minister Hearn also took the opportunity to announce the appointment or re-appointment of five members to the Council. The new members are Mr. Walter Bruce from PEI, Mr. Greg Thompson from New Brunswick, and Mr. Martin
Sullivan from Newfoundland and Labrador. Dr. Jean-Jacques Maguire from Quebec and Mr. Gerard J. Chidley from Newfoundland and Labrador have been
re-appointed.
"I am certain that these new and re-appointed members will make tremendous contributions to the Council and to the important work that lies ahead," said Minister Hearn. I also wish to thank Mr. Douglas Johnston from PEI, Mr.
Guy Cormier from New Brunswick, and Mr. Gabe Gregory from Newfoundland and Labrador for their contributions to the work of the Council during their
terms.
The FRCC, an arm's length advisory body, was created in 1993, as a partnership between scientists, academics and all sectors of the fishing industry. Their role is to provide advice on measures which will assist the
government to achieve its conservation, economic and social objectives for the fishery. There are 12 core members on the FRCC representing the scientific community and industry; in addition there are representatives
from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, as well as provincial governments of the Atlantic provinces, Quebec and Nunavut.
For general information on the FRCC or to learn more about its members,
please visit its website at www.frcc-ccrh.ca.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Phil Jenkins
Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa
613-990-7537
Joshua Zanin
Special Assistant, Communications
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa
613-992-3474
The Government of Canada Sets the Stage for an Integrated Commercial Fishery
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
NEWS RELEASES
The Government of Canada Sets the Stage for an Integrated Commercial Fishery
on Canada’s East Coast
November 30, 2007
MIRAMICHI – The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and non-Status Indians, today announced, on behalf of the Honourable Loyola Hearn, Ministerof Fisheries and Oceans, a new initiative that aims to fully integrate commercial fisheries in Atlantic Canada.
Minister Strahl made the announcement while celebrating the signing of a Specific Claims Agreement with the Metepenagiag Mi’kmaq Nation in New Brunswick.
"This funding will allow our government to help First Nations play a growing role in the Atlantic fishery, while working together to ensure the resource is properly managed and protected," said Minister Strahl. "This program sets the stage for fully integrated commercial fisheries in Atlantic Canada, and will enable all participants to work cooperatively to achieve long-term
sustainability."
Budget 2007 announced $20 million over 2 years to support capacity building in Mi’kmaq and Maliseet First Nations in the Maritimes and Gaspé Region of Quebec (MMFNs) commercial fishing enterprises. Since then, the government
has been consulting MMFN stakeholders about the program’s design, leading to today’s announcement that the new initiative is ready for implementation.
The new funding will assist participating communities in developing the business knowledge, skills, and resources to make full use of existing access and to participate equally in fisheries co-management.
Achieving a sustainable, integrated and orderly commercial fishery on Canada’s east coast, in which all commercial participants fish under common and transparent rules, is important to the federal government.
"Our government is working hard to ensuring that the rules and regulations are clear and understood by everyone," added Minister Strahl.
Chief Noah Augustine, Metepenagiag First Nation, NB and Chief Lawrence Paul,Millbrook First Nation, NS, co-chairs of the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nation Chiefs welcomed the announcement.
"Assistance and support with capacity building on the business side of commercial fishing will do a great deal to assist our communities to have a key place in the Atlantic fishery for the long term," said Chief Lawrence
Paul.
"Our communities have learned invaluable lessons over the past number of years in the commercial fishery and clearly it is a business and we need to focus our efforts to strengthen our capacity to be key players now and in
the future," added Chief Noah Augustine.
The AICFI initiative complements existing Government of Canada programmingand is consistent with the commitment made in the 2007 Budget.
Backgrounders:
* Atlantic
Integrated
Commercial Fisheries Initiative
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Phil Jenkins
Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa
613-990-7537
Steve Outhouse
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa
613-992-3474
BACKGROUNDER
Atlantic Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative
November 2007
The Atlantic Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (AICFI) wa announced in Budget 2007. This program aims to ensure that Mi’kmaq and Maliseet First Nations in the Maritimes and Gaspé Region of Quebec (MMFNs)have the capabilities to manage and maximize access to the integrated commercial fishery that has been provided through the Marshall Response Initiative.
The new program will assist MMFNs to continue building their capacity, to plan and manage successful commercial fishing enterprises and to participate
in fisheries co-management.
Specifically the new funding of $20 million over two years will provide support for:
* Enhancing management, administrative and operations capacity that
will help build and maximize access to the integrated commercial fishery;
* Participation in the co-management of the integrated commercial
fishery;
* Application of the electronic Fisheries Management System;
* Involvement with and direction of ongoing at-sea and in-class
training/mentoring and other capacity building activities;
* Existing commercial fishing enterprise diversification through minor upgrades to fisheries infrastructure (vessel upgrade, harvesting and onshore
equipment improvements) and other needs.
The Atlantic Policy Congress and watershed-based groups will facilitate a large part of the program’s capacity-building activities.
A further goal of the AICFI initiative is to continue to create positive conditions for longer term arrangements with MMFNs under the process led by
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.
The Supreme Court of Canada decision in the Marshall case in 1999 affects 34 MMFN in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Quebec. One
result of the federal response was that many communities initiated or expanded their involvement in the commercial fisheries. MMFNs now hold an estimated 1300 commercial fishing licences, constituting 520 fishing
enterprises.
Ministers Endorse Integrated Watershed Planning and Action on Eco-Labelling
Ministers Endorse Integrated Watershed Planning and Action on Eco-Labelling
November 2, 2007
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Winnipeg, MB ¨CIntegrated Watershed Planning and Management was the theme of the day-long meeting of the Canadian Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers (CCFAM) in Winnipeg today. The meeting was co-chaired by the Honourable Loyola Hearn, federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, and the Honourable Christine Melnick, Manitoba Minister of Water Stewardship.
Ministers heard from experts in the area of integrated watershed planning. They agreed that all jurisdictions have a role to play in sustainable fisheries¡¡and aquatic habitat management along with Aboriginal groups, a
broad range of stakeholders and the public.
"Today¡¯s meeting was a reminder of how important it is that we work together to protect and preserve our water resources," said Minister Hearn."Our government understands that water is central to the health and well being of all Canadians, our environment and our economy. That is why theSpeech from the Throne reiterated our commitment to continue taking action and working with others to make real and continuous progress on
water-related issues."
"Watershed planning processes are strengthened through partnerships among local communities, producers, businesses and all levels of government," said
Minister Melnick. "I am delighted that fisheries ministers across the country recognize the great potential for improved aquatic habitat health via locally-driven collaborative approaches."
Ministers also looked at the fishery through a lens of economic viability. Oceans-to-plate is about focussing on the needs of the market and enhancing value ¡ª rather than volume ¡ª for all players up and down the seafood value
chain. Eco-labelling is one component of that strategy and a topic of lengthy discussion today. With over 80% of Canadian seafood being exported and consumers increasingly aware of sustainability issues and food safety, eco-labelling is emerging as a priority for all levels of government. Ministers established a new task group on eco-labelling to ensure governments are ready to better support industry in the certification process and to ensure a consistent approach across Canada.
"Canada has a very good story to tell when it comes to how we partner with the provinces and territories to manage our fisheries resources," said Minister Hearn. "We now need to better organize ourselves to tell that story
to the world."
Ministers tasked officials to continue to work together to protect species at risk and reduce the significant threat of aquatic invasive species on fisheries and aquaculture resources, and to protect the long-term health of
Canada¡¯s three oceans. Ministers also discussed the work of the aquaculture task group and agreed that Canada¡¯s aquaculture industry has made great strides but has yet to realize its full potential. They therefore tasked
officials to rapidly develop proposals for: a coordinated governance and regulatory framework for the industry; related research, development and commercialization, infrastructure and stewardship.
Ministers were also apprised of recent efforts to address misperceptions about the Canadian seal harvest and to ensure markets, especially European markets, remain open to Canadian seal products. The economic value of the
sealing industry is significant for Canada¡¯s coastal communities - in 2006 it was estimated to be worth more than $60 million. Ministers undertook to work together to get the message out that the annual Canadian seal harvest
is well-managed, sustainable and humane.
All Ministers encouraged the federal Minister to table in Parliament as soon as possible a new and modernized Fisheries Act.
The CCFAM meets annually to set priorities and work collaboratively on fisheries and aquaculture issues of interest to Canadians. The next meeting
will be in New Brunswick in 2008.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Genevi¨¨ve Gareau-Lavoie
Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
613-990-7537
David Leibl
Press Secretary to Cabinet
Government of Manitoba
204-945-1494
Steve Outhouse
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa
613-992-3474
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