Minister responds to Independent Panel on Access Criteria (IPAC) report

Gerry Reid, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, today responded to the Independent Panel on Access Criteria (IPAC) report.

I have received a copy of the report of the Independent Panel on Access Criteria," said Minister Reid. "We have been waiting anxiously, for the past nine months, to see if the panel recognized the important role the fishery plays in our province as outlined in our two presentations to them in August and October of 2001."

"Having reviewed the report, I can say that the report has clearly identified the many problems and complexities surrounding the access to fish resources in Atlantic Canada," said Minister Reid. "While I note that the panel recommended that adjacency be the highest priority criterion for determining access to fisheries resources, followed by historical participation, and economic viability, I am disappointed that the panel did not accept the province�s definition of adjacency. The panel holds the view that the further you move offshore the less influence that adjacency should play in access decisions. As a result, midshore or offshore resources, despite being adjacent to Newfoundland and Labrador, may be open to increased access by non-Newfoundland and Labrador interests. This causes me much concern and would obviously be unacceptable."

"I am also concerned about the panel�s recommendation surrounding an Atlantic-wide Access Advisory Board and about the identification of equity as an access principle," said Minister Reid. "Do we really need an Atlantic-wide board to provide advice on who should have access to fisheries in waters clearly adjacent to Newfoundland and Labrador?

"And when I read things like ...The equity criterion is premised on the concept of the fishery as a common, public resource that should be managed in a way that does not create or exacerbate excessive inter-personal or inter-regional disparities... I become very concerned that some would consider it a statement supporting greater access, in the name of equity, to resources adjacent to this province by non-Newfoundland and Labrador interests."

"These, however, are my initial reactions," said Minister Reid. "In the coming weeks, as we consult with industry stakeholders and prepare a formal response to Minister Thibault, I will be looking more closely at the report and its recommendations. We are quite willing to work constructively with the federal government to improve this situation; we will not however compromise our fundamental position that fisheries resources adjacent to Newfoundland and Labrador must be allocated so as to provide maximum benefit to the people and communities of this province."

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

2002 04 05                      12:05 p.m.