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December 12, 1996
(Fisheries and Aquaculture)

 

The following statement was issued today by John Efford, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

I am pleased to report to Honourable Members that the outlook for the 1997 capelin fishery is promising.

This is due, in part, to the fact that my federal colleague has made an early announcement on what the total allowable catch will be, as was done by his predecessor for the '96 fishery. Before that, however, announcements on whether there would be a fishery and what the TAC would be were not made in time for the industry to prepare properly for the fishery.

Clearly, that is changing and I commend Minister Mifflin for it. Now, with early notice that there will be a fishery, processors and harvesters can proceed with their plans for 1997, and will be able to assure our markets that orders can be met.

I am also pleased, that the federal government will have capelin management measures to keep dumping, discarding and by-catch of other species at a minimum. I fully agree with Mr. Mifflin that while there are improvements in environmental and biological factors for capelin, conservation has to be priority number one.

As provincial Minister of Fisheries, I am considering measures that will reduce or eliminate dumping at the processing level. My department will also continue its very effective inspection program to ensure that we continue to serve the market with premium quality product. For any species, quality has to be given top priority by everyone handling the product in order to maximize the returns to the fishing industry and the economy.

I am confident that the combined measures taken by my department and that of Fisheries and Oceans will result in a '97 capelin fishery that performs even better than 1996 when the export value was about $20 million.

1996 12 12                    2:25 p.m.


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