Fisheries minister pleased with funding for Black Tickle

Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister John Efford is extremely pleased with today�s announcement by George Baker, Minister of Veteran Affairs and Secretary of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and Premier Brian Tobin of $390,000 under the Economic Development Component of the Fisheries Adjustment and Restructuring Initiative for a new water line for the Town of Black Tickle which will support the fish plant in the community.

Mr. Efford said the new water line will support industrial development in the area and allow the owners of the Black Tickle fish plant to move forward with their plans to open this facility which will help revitalize the community�s economy.

"Black Tickle has been hit hard by the collapse of the groundfishery and the funding announced today for a new water line will mean this new processing plant will soon be up and running and create much needed employment opportunities for people in the area; most importantly it will bring some security for the future," said Mr. Efford.

Mr. Efford said he recently assured the owners of the plant that the provincial government was committed to doing what it could to move the project forward and help with the installation of a new water line which is required to operate the fish plant in Black Tickle.

"This is yet more great news for the Town of Black Tickle, which earlier was given the approval for a crab processing licence for the community, and indeed a demonstration of the positive things that can develop through cooperative efforts between the private sector and the two levels of government. This announcement today is a great strategic investment that will benefit the entire Labrador fishery."

The three-year $81.25 million Canada-Newfoundland Agreement for the Economic Development Component of the Canadian Fisheries Adjustment Restructuring Initiative (EDC) was signed on August 16, 1999. The agreement is designed to build upon the strategic plans and priorities of the regional economic development boards to improve the long term economic climate in regions impacted by the downturn of the groundfish industry.

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

2000 07 24             3:50 p.m.