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June 13, 1996
(Development and Rural Renewal)

 

Minister Comments on issue of three fish plants processing licenses

Minister of Development and Rural Renewal, Judy Foote, today applauded government's decision to issue three fish plants new processing licences for snow crab. As a result of today's announcement, fish plants in St. Lawrence, Burgeo and Benoit's Cove will be able to process snow crab.

"Government recognizes that the snow crab resource has been steadily increasing over the past few years," said Ms. Foote. "In fact, as my honourable colleague, the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture indicated today, landings have actually tripled since 1990. However, the plants licensed to process the resource have been unfairly distributed across the province. In the case of the Burin Peninsula, for example, which in recent years has been a major landing point for crab, the resource has had to be trans-shipped to the east coast for processing. Now, the resource and the jobs will stay on the peninsula and the people of St. Lawrence and surrounding communities will reap the benefits of the St. Lawrence plant now being licensed to process snow crab."

Government also recognizes that the basis of a stronger and more viable fishery in the future in Newfoundland and Labrador will be achieved through regional multi-species operations. Consequently, the fish plants awarded snow crab processing licenses today will also be processing species such as pelagics, shellfish and all species of groundfish.

Ms. Foote enthusiastically praised the town council and the plant workers at St. Lawrence for their commitment and dedication to keeping their fish plant economically viable. "The people of St. Lawrence have worked hard to keep their fish plant and consequently their community alive," said the minister. "This is the type of commitment that I expect we will see displayed by people all across the province as government works in partnership with the people of Newfoundland and Labrador towards our goal of a revitalized economy.

"This partnership approach is the very basis of the zonal board process and the establishment of regional economic development boards throughout the province. St. Lawrence is another example of people working together with government to bring business to their area. As the MHA for the District of Grand Bank I am proud of the perseverance displayed by the town of St. Lawrence as a whole. Their efforts have been rewarded by today's announcement."

Contact: Susan Laite, Director of Public Relations, (709) 729-4570.

1996 06 13 11:25 a.m.

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