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Marine Advisory Committee moving ahead

Submitted by Terrie Dionne, Communications Consultation Officer, Parks Canada-The Marine Advisory Committee for the proposed Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area Reserve held its first meeting at the Haida Heritage Centre in Skidegate on Saturday March 1.The meeting focused on orienting the committee to the national marine conservation areas program, the Gwaii Haanas project and its role in establishing a national marine conservation area reserve.The committee is made up of twelve islanders appointed through a competitive process. The group represents a range of expertise and experience important to the Gwaii Haanas marine area including traditional knowledge, commercial and recreational fishing, tourism, youth, education, conservation and marine sciences - among others.The committee will provide input and advice on the development of the interim management plan which is required for the Gwaii Haanas marine area to be established by Parliament. It will also provide guidance to the project team (Parks Canada, Council of the Haida Nation and Department of Fisheries and Oceans) to ensure stakeholder consultation is effective.The next meeting of the committee will be March 30. Questions, comments or to be added to the project mailing list, contact Marcia Morash, Project Manager at 250-559-6344, marcia.morash@pc.gc.ca or Terrie Dionne, Communications/Consultation Officer at 250-559-6345, terrie.dionne@pc.gc.ca .