I rise today to update my honourable colleagues on recent media reports on the allocation of 3L shrimp to Prince Edward Island.

As you know, last year the federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Herb Dhaliwal, issued a new temporary allocation of 1,500 tonnes of shrimp to a PEI consortium. This allocation was met with strong criticism from both the public and the provincial government, as it was in direct opposition to the principle of adjacency and historic attachment.

The media have reported that the 2000 PEI allocation will be increased in this year and will possibly be made into a permanent allocation. I spoke directly with Minister Dhaliwal this morning, and I was assured by him that these reports are not factual.

The 1,500 tonne temporary allocation to PEI was made in 2000 for a period of three years. The federal minister has assured me that no decision has been taken to increase that allocation or make it permanent.

Furthermore, I would like to reassure the people of this province and the members of this legislature, that I have made representation to the federal minister on several occasions, both in writing and personally, reiterating this government�s position on the allocation of our resources to interests outside of the province.

This government will continue to oppose the allocation of any additional fish resources off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador to outside interests and we will work to ensure that any increase in quota goes to benefit the Newfoundland and Labrador fish harvesters, processing plants and communities who are adjacent to the resource.

2001 05 07                                                      1:55 p.m.