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Nain Banker leased to Labrador Fisheries Co-operative

Premier Brian Tobin announced today in Happy Valley-Goose Bay that government is leasing its remaining middle-distance vessel Nain Banker to the Torngat Fish Producers Co-operative.

"Labradorians must be given the opportunity to take advantage of marine resources adjacent to them," Mr. Tobin said, noting that the Nain Banker is an ideal vessel for harvesting northern turbot off Labrador.

Landings from the vessel, combined with raw material the co- operative accesses elsewhere, will "increase the viability of Torngat's operations, decrease the need for operating subsidies, and increase employment benefits for employees," he said.

The premier said that in recognizing the special constraints to economic development in coastal Labrador, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador also recognizes that "blanket fisheries policies do not always work for Labrador. Special consideration for growth and job opportunities are warranted."

Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister John Efford said in St. John's that is why government has established and will continue to maintain a policy that fish landed in Labrador must be processed in Labrador. He noted that the Nain Banker was one of two middle-distance vessels that landed northern turbot at Makkovik in 1993 during an experimental project that proved the feasibility of these vessels prosecuting the deep water turbot fishery off Labrador.

The Nain Banker was built as a commercial fishing vessel but was leased on a temporary basis to Memorial University as a research and training vessel. Mr. Efford said that given the suitability of the vessel for the northern turbot fishery and the opportunity for Labradorians to benefit from adjacent marine resources, government decided to return the vessel to the commercial fishery. He said that government will be working closely with Memorial to find a replacement vessel.

Ernest McLean, Minister Responsible for Labrador, said the announcement "demonstrates government's support for the notion that those who live closest to a resource should have a full and fair opportunity to benefit from its development. It will help improve the quality of life for this area. Combined with other government initiatives for Labrador, this helps address the real needs of Labradorians."

Wally Andersen, MHA -Torngat Mountains, said he is delighted with the announcement. Mr. Andersen, along with the general manager of Torngat Fisheries, lobbied hard for the Nain Banker and compliments the Minister of Fisheries and Premier Tobin for providing his riding with the Nain Banker. Andersen says the addition of the Nain Banker will increase employment in the fishing industry throughout his riding.

The Nain Banker will begin fishing operations this spring. Other than harvesting turbot, it can also be used in developmental initiatives for other potentially commercial fisheries, such as porcupine crab. It has a chilled fish hold with a capacity for about 150,000 pounds of groundfish that has been iced and stored in boxes. This enables the vessel to deliver top quality product. The vessel also has large fuel and water capacities for extended periods at sea.

Contact: Cathy Dornan, Director of Communications, Premier's Office (709) 729-3570; or Josephine Cheeseman, Director of Communications, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, (709) 729-3733.