Board will soon consider proposals for processing license

A public call for proposals issued by the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture from anyone interested in operating in the Englee/Canada Bay area processing crab and other species has resulted in three proposals being submitted.

Proposals were received from E.J. Green & Company Ltd., NFL Fishery Inc. and Canada Bay Seafood Processors.

The department issued the call in early October, as a result of the failure of Daley Brothers to confirm in writing whether they intend to operate their plant in Englee in 2006. The Englee plant has not operated since May 2004 due to structural deficiencies. Fish processing licensing policy states that licenses expire after two years of inactivity.

�Government acted as quickly as possible and responsibly to the situation in Englee with appropriate timelines and criteria for anyone interested in a licence in the region,� said Minister Taylor. �We have taken the appropriate steps to assess the interest, and I look forward to letting the process unfold and receiving recommendations from the Fish Processing Licensing Board.�

A detailed application form, business plan and public advertisement of intentions were required as part of any proposal submitted to the Fish Processing Licensing Board. Applications were due by the end of the business day Tuesday, November 1.

The Fish Processing Licensing Board will now review the proposals in confidence, as well as any commentary received as a result of the public notification. The board will meet this fall to assess the applications based on established policy. The board will then recommend to the minister whether to approve a license and, if so, to whom.

Media contact: Tracy Barron, Communications, (709) 729-3733, 690-6157

2005 11 02                                      3:00 p.m.