July 10, 1998
(Fisheries and Aquaculture)

Minister Efford upset with Baker's statement

Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister John Efford is upset with a statement made yesterday afternoon by Gander-Grand Falls MP George Baker concerning the presence of a Russian boat fishing inside Canada's 200-mile limit.

Baker said: "Several fishermen have been observing a Russian ship at least 300 feet long, dragging for cod since Monday." He said he has asked the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to provide him with an answer to this puzzle. "Obviously, there must have been some arrangement made by the Government of France to allow this huge ship to be dragging for cod off the south coast of Newfoundland and Labrador," Baker continued.

Minister Efford has the answer. "Yes, there is a Russian boat off the south coast of our province," says Efford, "but it is not dragging for cod. It was contracted by Gulf Canada to do seismic studies which are oceanographic studies or oil exploration studies," says the minister. "Furthermore, no fish are caught by foreign vessels. Any fish caught is done by Canadian vessels and will continue to be. As long as I am minister, I will insist that only Canadian vessels will be allowed to fish as much as possible inside Canada's 200-mile limit."

"People should check their facts before making public statements which can alarm the general public," says Efford.

Contact: Robin Bartlett, Communications, (709) 729-4441.

1998 07 10                 2:40 p.m.