September 21, 1999
(Fisheries and Aquaculture)

Fisheries cooperation a priority for Efford at ministers' meetings

Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister John Efford will be in Quebec City September 22 and 23 to attend the Atlantic Council of Fisheries Ministers Meetings and the annual meeting of the Canadian Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers.

One highlight of the Canadian Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers meeting will be the signing of an Agreement on Interjurisdictional Cooperation on Fisheries and Aquaculture. This agreement is to foster improving relations between the federal and provincial/territorial governments with respect to managing fishery and aquaculture industries.

Mr. Efford said: "A priority for me at these meetings is the issue of improving the consultation process between provinces and the federal government pertaining to fisheries policies. Indeed, there must be improvements in this area and I look forward to signing the agreement on interjurisdictional cooperation at our meetings in Quebec."

Mr. Efford added that our fishery has to be managed for the long term through a better consultation process with the provinces and in a manner that will create a more stable, viable industry.

"We must continue to impress upon the federal government that it has been almost eight years since the groundfishery collapsed and the fish stocks have still not recovered to reasonable levels. There are still many questions that need to be answered and Ottawa should be providing the answers. What research are they doing to determine why the stocks have been slow to recover since the moratorium? Newfoundlanders and Labradorians deserve these answers," said Mr. Efford.

Mr. Efford said our fishery must not be focused on one or two species; there needs to be a proper long-term management plan put in place based on a multi-species industry.

Other issues for discussion at the fisheries ministers meetings will include emerging fisheries; License Retirement Program; sustainable fisheries and aquaculture; and fisheries science.

Media contact: Sonia B. Glover-Sullivan, Communications, (709) 729-3733.

1999 09 21                             11:45 a.m.