Officials meet with concerned plant workers regarding transfer of crab licence

Mike Samson, deputy minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Roland Butler, MHA - Port de Grave, and George Sweeney, MHA - Carbonear-Harbour Grace, met today with crab plant workers in Port de Grave. The plant workers requested the meeting, to voice their concerns over a request to have a crab processing licence transferred from Ramea to St. Anthony.

Gerry Reid, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, received a proposal from Ramea Seafoods Limited and St. Anthony Seafoods Limited Partnership, requesting the transfer of Ramea�s crab processing licence to St. Anthony. The department advertised the proposal in local papers, so as to solicit public input on the issue. The minister will make a decision on the transfer after approximately a two week period, giving interested parties sufficient time to express their views.

Mike Samson, deputy minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, met with the group of workers on behalf of the minister. The group clearly outlined their concerns with the proposed transfer, and urged the minister to deny the request. The workers feel that another licence would have a serious negative impact on existing crab processing facilities, and the ability of workers to secure enough work to qualify for employment insurance.

"We are now in the process of receiving feedback from the public," said Minister Reid. "No decision will be taken until this process is completed, and we look forward to hearing from any interested parties. After the consultation process is finished, I will carefully consider all of the information before making a final decision."

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

2002 08 14                                 5:20 p.m.