John Couture

Commercial Fisheries Liaison Coordinator

When John is not at a meeting, he’s travelling to another meeting, and not just in Unama’ki either.

John Couture’s role as Commercial Fisheries Liaison Coordinator at UINR has him attending industry, science and advisory committee meetings all over the Maritimes. If it’s about commercial fishing and involves the interests of the five Cape Breton Mi’kmaq communities that UINR represents, John will be there!

Afterwards he reports back to the communities to discuss options, outcomes, changes, and updates on commercially fished species, invasive species, species- at-risk, pollution and changes in government.

A graduate of Sydney Academy, John studied at Cape Breton University and continues to learn new skills and ways to approach issues, people and projects.

John comes to UINR after a stint at Fisheries and Oceans Canada as their Aboriginal Program Coordinator, assisting communities fulfill their Aboriginal Fishing Strategy agreements. As a Licensing officer he provided advice to clients, managed license fees, issuance and tags. While Administrative Officer he managed accounts and projects, dealt with security, occupational health and safety issues

“Every day I learn from our community managers, chiefs and coworkers. With new service cuts our communities need to do new tasks on new time lines. I want to be sure that Unama’ki is a leader.”

 

John: In the News

Commercial Fisheries in Unamaki: Marine Protected Areas

Commercial Fisheries in Unamaki: Marine Protected Areas

February 8, 2017Commerical Fisheries, News

John Couture is UINR’s Commercial Fisheries Liaison Coordinator and in this column he discusses some of the species and issues of importance to the Unama’ki commercial fishery. In this article he focuses on the proposed Marine Protected Area off the coast of Unama’ki. Think of a Marine Protected Area (MPA) as a park in the ocean. … Read More

Commercial Fisheries in Unamaki: Jakejk/Lobster

Commercial Fisheries in Unamaki: Jakejk/Lobster

October 24, 2016Commerical Fisheries, News

John Couture is UINR’s Commercial Fisheries Liaison Coordinator and in this column he will discuss some of the species of importance to the Unama’ki commercial fishery. In this issue he focuses on everyone’s favourite crustacean, Jakejk or Atlantic Lobster. Lobster provides employment– a skipper and two helpers per vessel. Employment allows our community members to … Read More

Say Hello to John Couture

Say Hello to John Couture

November 6, 2012News

Please welcome John Couture, UINR’s new Commercial Fisheries Liaison Coordinator. John is no stranger to people in Unama’ki’s fisheries. Since 2004 he worked for Fisheries and Oceans Canada as a Licensing Officer and Aboriginal Program Coordinator. We’ll be hearing a lot from John in the future and watch for a full profile in an upcoming … Read More

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