Minister pleased with announcement of Independent Panel 
on Access Criteria (IPAC)

Gerry Reid, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, is pleased that the federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), Herb Dhaliwal, has announced the launch of the Independent Panel on Access Criteria. On June 28, 2001, Minister Dhaliwal announced the final terms of reference and panel members.

"I am very pleased that the minister has launched this long-awaited panel, whose work will be of vital importance for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians," said Reid. "The development and implementation of a policy on access criteria for the Atlantic provinces, is critical to long-term and sustainable management of the fishery."

The panel was composed after consultation with the Atlantic Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers. Access criteria issues came to the forefront last year, after DFO announced that a P.E.I. consortium would have access to shrimp fishery in waters around Newfoundland and Labrador.

"The province�s position has always been that any fish resources adjacent to this province must be allocated for the benefit of Newfoundland and Labrador fishing interests and communities," added Reid. "This position is based upon principles of adjacency and historic attachment, and it is my hope that IPAC will come to the same logical conclusion, when they complete their deliberations. We look forward to working in consultation with the panel, and to hearing their recommendations when the work is completed this fall."

Media contact: Elizabeth Matthews, Communications, (709) 729-3733 or (709) 727-3438.

2001 06 29                                                               3:10 p.m.