— April 3, 2025 —
At a rally in St. John’s, NL this week, Poilievre said: “I will not allow marine protected areas to be used to shut down fisheries.” His comments support an earlier declaration by Coast of Bays-Central-Notre Dame Conservative candidate Clifford Small that he would not support the National Marine Conservation Area (NMCA) proposed for Newfoundland’s south coast.
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and NMCAs may be well-intended, but in practice, they threaten the livelihoods, jobs, owner confidence and investment of those who have responsibly managed and depended on the ocean for generations. Atlantic Canada’s seafood sector is a cornerstone of the local economy while maintaining some of the most sustainably managed waters in the world. Scientific research confirms that biodiversity in these regions has remained stable for decades, a testament to the responsible stewardship of those who live and work here.
We look forward to hearing from other parties and local candidates on this critical issue and encourage them to support policies that promote economic growth and sustain jobs in our rural and coastal communities.
The Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association (ACFFA) represents farmers, feed producers, and service & support organizations. Atlantic Canada’s finfish sector employs over 8,000 people, supports more than 1,300 businesses, has a total economic output of $2 billion annually and produces 323 million salmon meals annually.
For more information on marine protected areas, please visit the news section of our website.
