The following is being distributed at the request of the Newfoundland and Labrador Professional Fish Harvesters Certification Board:

New executive director appointed

Bill Broderick, chairperson of the Professional Fish Harvesters Certification Board announced today the appointment of Brendan Condon as the board�s new executive director. Mr. Condon began his employment with the board on January 3, 2000. Mr. Condon replaces Boyd Smith who has retired from the board to pursue other interests.

Brendan Condon, a native of Calvert, has had a long-term association with the fishery through his employment with the Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture. His most recent employment was as the director of fisheries adjustment and co-chair of the coordinating committee of the fisheries diversification program with the department. During his tenure with the department he also served as director of the province�s Field Services Division; manager of the department�s Middle Distance Vessel Program and project coordinator with the Harvesting Division of the department.

Additionally, Mr. Condon was involved in the initial stages of professionalization and certification, having served as a member of several committees and for the last three years as the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture representative on the board of directors. Mr. Condon also served on the e xecutive committee of the board.

Mr. Broderick noted: "Mr. Condon�s combination of training and experience in the fishing industry will prove invaluable as he addresses the challenges as the new executive director of the Professional Fish Harvesters Certification Board. We are indeed fortunate to acquire an individual with such a varied background in the fishing industry."

Mr. Broderick explained that over the past three years, since the board�s inception in 1997, a review of fish harvester�s certification levels has been completed. In 1999, the board registered 8,900 Level II Professional Fish Harvesters; 1,300 Level I Professional Fish Harvesters; and 5,100 Apprentice Fish Harvesters. Today for a fish harvester to advance to a higher certification level, they must require a combination of fishery education and experience.

Mr. Broderick noted that the major challenges facing the board include the introduction of a code of ethics for fish harvesters; refinement of fishery education and training requirements; and establishing appropriate criteria related to maintenance of status as a professional fish harvester.

The offices of the Professional Fish Harvesters Certification Board are located at 15 Hallett Cres., St. John�s. The mailing address is P.O. Box 8392, St. John�s, NF, A1B 3N7. Telephone (709) 722-8170, Fax (709) 722-8201.

Contact: Bill Broderick (Chairperson), (709) 669-3226

2000 01 11                                                             12:10 p.m.