Minister comments on federal government�s manner of addressing provincial concerns

Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Yvonne Jones stated today that "The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is concerned with the inconsistency of the federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans in dealing with New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador. Minister Thibault has reacted to the protest in New Brunswick by stating that the federal government is willing to increase the harvest of snow crab in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence by 3,000 to 4,000 tonnes and is prepared to entertain negotiations with New Brunswick fishers."

On May 2, 2003, a three year snow crab management plan was announced for the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence by the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. The TAC, set at 17,148 tonnes entailed a reduction from 2002 of approximately 5,000 tonnes. On the weekend of May 3-4, 250 people allegedly set fire to a fish plant, warehouse and four federal vessels in Shippagan. The 20 percent quota cut and the reallocation to be shared among lobster fishers may have contributed to the violence. It has been reported that traditional crab fishers will refuse to start fishing, bringing to a standstill an industry worth in excess of $100 million.

"The federal minister has refused to engage with our province to reassess the closure of the cod fishery," said Minister Jones. "Industry and government have been working hard to get the minister back to the table, yet we have been told by the federal government that they will not reopen the fishery. Public reaction has been strong and responsible. The message from the people of our province has been loud and clear, yet we have not received the immediate reaction that New Brunswick has received from the federal government."

Media contact: Cynthia Layden-Barron, Communications, (709) 729-3733

2003 05 06                                       3:15 p.m.