June 4, 1998
(Forest Resources and Agrifoods)

1998 Atlantic Salmon Management Plan

Kevin Aylward, Minister of Forest Resources and Agrifoods, today expressed his concerns with respect to this year's Atlantic Salmon Management Plan. Minister Aylward noted that in previous years, the angling season in Labrador opened during the third week in June. To date, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans has not announced the salmon management plan for Labrador.

"The lateness of the announcement of the Labrador salmon management plan is causing a great deal of frustration among anglers and business enterprises who are attempting to organize their activities for this year," said Minister Aylward. "This delay will only result in confusion and unnecessary uncertainty."

The minister also noted that within the island portion of the province, some areas will open to angling on June 6. Despite this, the Angling Guide produced by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans is still not available. The minister expressed his concern that without having access to this information on seasons and angling restrictions, anglers may inadvertently run afoul of the salmon angling regulations. The minister stated that this would be most unfortunate and urged the federal minister, David Anderson, to rectify this situation immediately.

Contact: David Wells, Communications, (709) 729-8163.

1998 06 04 12:55 p.m.