Minister comments on protests regarding the allocation of shrimp

Gerry Reid, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, commented today on the ongoing protests around the province by fisher people. Protests have been taking place in fishing communities on wharves and at regional offices of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, with fish harvesters accusing the federal government of ignoring the principles of adjacency in the allocation of shrimp.

"I certainly empathize with how these individuals feel, and can appreciate their level of frustration in regard to shrimp allocations," said Reid. "I endorse the recommendation of the Northern Shrimp Advisory Committee that the TAC for this resource be increased for 2001, based on the scientific assessment that this resource is very healthy with a high biomass and a low exploitation rate. In the face of the anticipated increase in allocations this year, I can understand that our fisher people are concerned about the possibility of allocations going to interests outside of Newfoundland and Labrador given what happened with PEI last summer. I have written Minister Dhaliwal and spoken to him personally about this issue. The federal minister has been made well aware of the province�s position that no new allocations be given to interests outside of this province."

In addition, Reid says that he strongly encouraged Minister Dhaliwal to distribute any increase in quotas this year to existing Newfoundland and Labrador players. "The scientific advice on the northern shrimp resource indicates its ability to sustain a significant increase in quota and I believe this additional available resource should be allocated now to help ensure the future viability of the fleet and the communities which depend upon this resource."

Reid also has concerns over the offshore sector, where 17 licenses are in place. "Due to unreasonable tariff barriers to the European market, very little of the industrial shrimp caught by the offshore sector is landed in the province for processing," said Reid. "As a result, the workers and communities of Newfoundland and Labrador do not realize the full benefit of this resource." Reid says he has also raised this issue with his federal counterpart and that the two governments have agreed to work together to address trade barrier issues contributing to the problem.

Media contact: Elizabeth Matthews, Communications, (709) 729-3733.

2001 04 12                             3:25 p.m.