Minister opens newly relocated Aquaculture Development Branch office

Gerry Reid, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, today officially opened the Aquaculture Development Branch of the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, which was relocated from St. John�s to Grand Falls-Windsor last fall.

"The moving of our Aquaculture Development Branch to Grand Falls-Windsor will be a great benefit to aquaculture farmers in Newfoundland and Labrador," said Reid. "Some 95 per cent of all aquaculture activity in our province occurs in the Bay d�Espoir and Green Bay-Notre Dame Bay areas, so we are now much closer, geographically, to the people who use our services. One of greatest factors in the recent success of our aquaculture industry has been the strong working relationship between government and the private sector, and this new location will serve to enhance our these relationships."

The Aquaculture Development Branch is responsible for extension services, fish health and veterinary services, licensing and inspection, and aquaculture development. The branch was moved from St. John�s to Grand Falls-Windsor last fall, as part of a decision made by government in the fall of 2000 to regionalise the delivery of services throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

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

2002 06 13                                   11:30 a.m.