Minister has successful meeting with Minister Dhaliwal

Gerry Reid, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, today met with his federal counterpart, Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans.

"I had a very productive meeting with Minister Dhaliwal this morning, where we discussed a number of issues of significance to the fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador," said Reid. "This is the second opportunity I have had to speak with the minister this week, and I am pleased that we were able to deal with a wide range of topics. I am confident that the minister understands our position and has a fair appreciation of the issues facing our industry."

Reid raised a number of important issues with Dhaliwal, including but not limited to, the work of the Independent Panel on Access Criteria (IPAC), the situation in the Town of Burgeo, the tariff on shrimp products into the European Union (EU), vessel replacement policy and the gillnet fishery.

"We had frank discussions about the province�s position which was put forth to the IPAC," added Reid. "The panel will ultimately report to Minister Dhaliwal and I made it clear that any recommendations which erode our access to, and allocation of, fish resources adjacent to Newfoundland and Labrador will not be accepted."

"We also had a lengthy discussion regarding some of the structural challenges in the shrimp fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador. The closure of the fishery this summer created a great deal of pressure and stress for the people involved in that industry. "Both Minister Dhaliwal and I recognize that there are challenges facing that industry, including the EU tariff and other marketing issues, and we have agreed to work co-operatively to address these matters."

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

2001 10 26                           1:25 p.m.