Government delays application of crew composition requirements for seafood harvesting industry

Government Services Minister Dianne Whalen announced today that government will delay applying certain crew composition requirements for diving operations for the 2004-05 harvesting season in recognition that the sea urchin/sea cucumber industry is not in compliance with the requirements at this time.

This delay will allow for sea urchin harvesting to go ahead this season with a three-person crew configuration of two divers in the water and a boat operator/tender, who is not a qualified diver, in the boat. The two divers in the water must both be fully certified and will be able to act as standby for the other using the buddy system. For the next season, there has to be a qualified dive supervisor on the surface.

"Government is providing an extension to allow for sea urchin harvesting to proceed this season and to give crews an additional grace period to meet the standard," Minister Whalen said. "If we had not given this extension, the season would have been lost and, more importantly, markets would have been lost and difficult to regain. We are pleased with the progress in the past two years in regards to safety in this industry. Once this final component of having a certified diver on deck is implemented next year, the industry will be in full compliance with the Canadian Standard Association (CSA) competency and operations codes."

The department will continue to have consultations with the Fish, Food and Allied Workers� (FFAW) union and harvesters to develop a plan to ensure that full compliance is achieved by the 2005 season, as this extension will not extend beyond the current season. Government encourages the union and harvesters to take the appropriate action now to ensure crews are in full compliance with the standards for the September 2005 sea urchin harvesting season.

The Marine Institute has the required training courses in place and interested participants may be eligible for funding through Human Resources Development Canada.

Government believes safety is the most important issue and has worked with the industry extensively on an occupational safety code for the seafood harvesting sector. Government has been sensitive to the issues facing the industry in meeting these standards. Industry was consulted at length before adopting the CSA Occupational Safety Code for Diving Operations in September 2002. The CSA Competency Code for Diving Operations came into force in March 2004.

In order to make the sea urchin industry viable, harvesters and processors need to ensure they receive a fair return on their labour and product, while maintaining the appropriate safety standards for this activity.

Media contact: Tracy Barron, Communications, (709) 729-4860 or 690-6157

2004 10 08                                   2:20 p.m.