According to a press statement made by Minister of Fisheries Gail Shea a Canadian Commissioner has been appointed on the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) for two years. Minister Shea informed that she was pleased to know that Johnson has accepted to represent Canada as a Commissioner to IPHC.
Minister Shea claimed that Johnson’s extensive knowledge of Pacific and First Nations fisheries and his experience in community co-management initiatives will be a welcome contribution to the Commission. The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) was established in 1923 by the governments of Canada and the United States to study and preserve the stocks of Pacific Halibut within the territorial waters of both nations.
The main purpose of the Commission is to undertake stock assessments and other scientific research to ensure the health and sustainability of Pacific Halibut. Johnson is a former commercial fish harvester. He currently operates a fishing charter business in Parksville, British Columbia. He is also the Economic Development Coordinator for the Natural Resource Department of the Huu-ay-aht First Nation, where he incorporates traditional First Nations philosophy and current western practices of resource management.
