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March 29, 1999
(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:

In 1996 when I was appointed Fisheries Minister, I looked at the fishing industry in Newfoundland and Labrador and I also observed the fishing industry in Iceland. Iceland is a world leader in harvesting, quality and marketing of their products, and I said back then that there is no reason why we can't be the leader in the fishing industry. So, we set our goals and we are working hard to achieve them to become number one in the fishing industry.

On March 14, I had the opportunity to attend the Boston Seafood Show; and as Honourable Members know, this Seafood Show is the foremost show for seafood products in North America.

While in Boston, I had the chance to meet with a number of fish companies and their U.S. brokers and I am happy to report that the response I received about the Newfoundland and Labrador fishing industry was very positive. Local industry representatives and their brokers briefed me on strides we have made in our quality initiatives, and acknowledged our disciplined approach to how we produce and sell our products.

This positive market response is the result of hard work through our Quality Assurance Program, as well as through our consistency of supply to the markets. The world markets are very competitive and developing and maintaining markets is vital to the future of the fishing industry if we are to derive maximum benefit from our fishery.

I must point out that the very positive response we've been getting is also the result of our fish price settlement pilot project. Participation by the Fisheries Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union in the price settlement mechanism last year resulted in early fishery openings and an orderly fishery throughout the entire season. I'd like to acknowledge the efforts of these groups to supply the market with top quality products throughout the season to meet required market demands on a timely basis.

Again this year, both the FFAW/CAW and FANL are working diligently within the price settlement pilot mechanism to achieve price settlements and establish collective agreements that focus on the harvesting and processing of top quality fish products. Prices have been settled for both the crab and shrimp fisheries and negotiations for other species will take place shortly. As a result of this pilot mechanism to negotiate fish prices, these fisheries will open on a timely basis again this year. This is an important indicator that the fishing industry will provide optimum employment opportunities in both the harvesting and processing sectors.

I am confident that the performance of our fishery this year will exceed that of last year. The value of our fish landings reached an all time high in 1998 at $380 million. The export value of Newfoundland and Labrador fish products last year was $700-million. Our fishery employed over 30,000 people last year. The new diversified fishery that we have built is alive and growing I have every confidence that the fishery will experience further growth in 1999 and for its post-moratorium value to reach a new record. Our fishery remains the backbone of this province and a vital contributor to our economy.

1999 03 29                   2:15 p.m.


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