March 20, 1998
(Fisheries and Aquaculture)

Department holding information sessions

This week, the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture has begun meetings with harvesters and processors in all five regions of Newfoundland and Labrador. Seven members of the department held sessions in Stephenville, Wednesday, and in Hawke's Bay, Thursday, to discuss the department's quality assurance initiatives, and to inform industry of the department's work on development of under-utilized species, as well as product and market development.

The sessions were successful as harvesters and processors had opportunities to present their views and ask questions.

Ian Burford, manager of licencing and inspection, presented both harvesters and processors with information on the department's quality assurance initiatives. These initiatives relate to all species of fish: finfish and shellfish, as well as seal. Frank Pinhorn, executive director of processing and marketing, asked for, and received, feedback on current problems in terms of implementing quality practices in the industry in local areas, and for suggestions on how to correct these problems.

Tom Dooley, resource development officer with the department, presented harvesters with information on harvesting under-utilized species, and results of the department's work on exploratory harvesting projects with these species. Fisheries development work supports the department's mandate to diversify this province's fishing industry. Opportunities include harvesting of whelk, northern shrimp, sea urchin, and various crab species such as the Atlantic king crab, rock crab, and toad crab. Mr. Dooley also spoke about the results obtained in experiments using different types of harvesting gear including variations on shrimp pots and whelk pots.

Mark Rumboldt, product development officer, presented processors with the department's work in terms of product and market development on various species including shrimp, sea urchin, seaweed, whelk, seal and hagfish. This work includes expanding markets, meeting with foreign buyers, and increasing market awareness of our products through recent trips to Alaska, Japan, and last week's Boston Seafood Show.

Similar meetings are planned for the Central, Eastern, and Avalon regions in April, and for Labrador in May. Locations and times of future sessions will be available at a later date.

Contact: Josephine Cheeseman, (709) 729-3733.