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Released: 28 May, 2001

Dhaliwal Announces Re-Appointments To North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission (NPAFC)

May 28, 2001

Vancouver -- The Honourable Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and MP for Vancouver South-Burnaby, has announced two re-appointments to the North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission (NPAFC).

The first of the two re-appointees is Gerald Kristianson, who has been heavily involved in West Coast fisheries issues in a variety of capacities since the 1980s. For instance, he was a consultant for former Federal Fisheries Minister Pierre DeBane during efforts to prepare a fleet rationalization plan in 1984. After retiring as the president of Pacific Public Affairs and as head of the Western Brewers Association in 1995, he became the Director of Public Affairs for the Sport Fishing Institute. Mr. Kristianson has been re-appointed to the NPAFC for a two-year period effective February 18, 2001.

Russ Jones is the second re-appointed member. He is well respected in the aboriginal community and holds degrees in both biology and engineering. Mr. Jones has acted as a Fisheries Program Planning Consultant for the Council of Haida Nation and is affiliated with the American Fisheries Society and Aquaculture Association of Canada. Mr. Jones has been re-appointed to the NPAFC for a two-year period effective April 13, 2001.

"I am very pleased to re-appoint both of these individuals to the NPAFC," said Minister Dhaliwal. "Their dedication to the Commission coupled with the excellent work they have done on West Coast fisheries issues will maintain stability and a high standard of work within the Commission."

The Convention for the Conservation of Anadromous Fish Stocks in the North Pacific Ocean, whose parties are Canada, Japan, Russia, and the United States, entered into force on February 16, 1993. It replaced the International Convention for the High Seas Fisheries of the North Pacific Ocean. The Convention in turn established the NPAFC, allowing each party a maximum of three representatives on the Commission. The main objective of the Commission is to promote the conservation of anadromous fish. Under the Convention, parties have agreed to cooperate to stop other countries from fishing salmon on the high seas and to prevent trafficking of illegally caught salmon.

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NR-PR-01-052E