The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today announced the appointment of Mr. Doug Fraser as a Canadian Commissioner to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT).
“I am pleased Mr. Fraser has accepted to represent Canada as a Commissioner to ICCAT,” said Minister Shea. “Canada will be well-served by his extensive knowledge of the bluefin tuna fishery and his experience working within industry and as an advocate on behalf of fish harvesters.”
ICCAT is a regional fisheries management organization responsible for the management of tuna, swordfish and other related large pelagics in the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. There are currently 48 Contracting Parties to ICCAT that range from North, South and Central America to Europe and Africa, as well as distant water fishing nations in Asia. Canada has been a member since the organization was established in 1969.
Mr. Fraser has extensive experience in the tuna fishery, both as a fish harvester and as President of Alberton Fisheries, a buyer of seafood, bait, and fishing supplies. He is also the Co-Chairman of the P.E.I. Tuna Advisory Committee and Director of the Western Gulf Fishermen’s Assocation where he has represented the interests of his industry to government. Mr. Fraser previously served as a Canadian ICCAT Commissioner from 2000 to 2001 and from 2005 to 2006.
