Minister supports increased role for FRCC on gulf cod

Trevor Taylor, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, is pleased with Tuesday�s announcement that the Fisheries Resource Conservation Council (FRCC) will be advising federal fisheries Minister Geoff Regan on Atlantic cod in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

"A meaningful role for the FRCC was one of the key issues that I raised with Minister Regan when I met with him in January in St. John�s," said Minister Taylor. "This is the exact course of action that we feel is needed to bring added objectivity to the sensitive matter of the viability of a cod fishery in the Gulf."

Minister Taylor added: "I have great confidence in the work of the FRCC. I anticipate that the council will provide my federal counterpart with valuable scientific advice and industry input."

The Final Report of the Fish Processing Policy Review (Dunne Report), released in early February, also expressed confidence in the transparency associated with a board. The report recommended that the province use the FRCC as a model in creating an independent board that will provide advice to the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture regarding applications for fish processing licenses. The provincial board is expected to be established in 2004.

Media contact: Alex Marland, Communications, (709) 729-3733

2004 03 03                                        1:20 p.m.