"NEWFOUNDLAND COD COMEBACK!" proclaims international publication

Trevor Taylor, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, is pleased today with the coverage the Newfoundland and Labrador aquaculture industry has received in a leading international aquaculture publication. A front-page article headlined "NEWFOUNDLAND COD COMEBACK!" appeared in the December 2003 edition of the London, UK-based Fish Farming International.

The lead story points to the potential of the province�s cod hatcheries industry to revitalize the cod industry. The opening paragraph, written by Shay Fennelly, begins: "Newfoundland on Canada�s east coast � for centuries home to the world�s biggest wild cod resource � could well become a world centre for cod supplies again through aquaculture". The piece goes on to discuss the opening of the province�s first cod hatchery by Northern Cod Ventures in Bay Roberts and cod aquaculture efforts in Hermitage Bay.

"This article is one example of the good work being done by our province�s aquaculture industry," said Minister Taylor. "We�re still in the early days of cod aquaculture development and it�s a bit ambitious to proclaim a cod comeback. However, considering the recent overblown concerns about PCBs in farmed salmon, it�s nice to see international attention being paid to the many positives of aquaculture right here in Newfoundland and Labrador."

Mike Rose, president of the Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association (NAIA), expressed optimism that the coverage will encourage international aquaculture investors to open their eyes and their wallets. "Over and above advantageous growing conditions, our province has a number of competitive business advantages, including a lack of red tape," said Mr. Rose. "This article should help further our message that the Newfoundland and Labrador aquaculture industry is a great place to invest."

Fish Farming International has an audited monthly readership of approximately 15,000 members of the aquaculture industry in 120 countries worldwide. According to Robert Stevenson, the publication�s North American representative, Fish Farming International "is the number one source of aquaculture information for the global aquaculture industry."

The article is sure to provoke discussion at the Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association�s forthcoming conference, titled "Cod Harvest 2004," which will be held February 8-10 at the St. John�s Holiday Inn.

Media contact:

            Alex Marland, Communications, (709) 729-3733

            Mike Rose, NAIA, (709) 754-2854

2004 01 16                                      9:45 a.m.