Government supporting innovative shrimp trawl design

Tom Rideout, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, today announced that the department is supporting an innovative shrimp trawl design for the Newfoundland and Labrador inshore shrimp fishery. Government has provided a contribution of $7,500 to Memorial University�s Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation to assist in the project.

Minister Rideout said, "This project could have tremendous implications for shrimp harvesting in the inshore. The proposed new design is meant to develop a more effective and efficient shrimp trawl, which is unlike any other trawl currently used in the Newfoundland and Labrador shrimp fishery. It would allow shrimp harvesters to target shrimp in lower water levels then are currently available using existing designs. This would be very critical as it would reduce fluid drag, which would increase the fuel efficiency of the trawl."

"The shrimp fishery is very important to Newfoundland and Labrador," continued the minister. "Therefore, we are very pleased to contribute to this project, as a new shrimp trawl design of this nature could certainly have a positive impact on the provincial shrimp fishery."

This work will be conducted through collaboration of the Marine Institute�s Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Resources (CSAR), the Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation (CCFI), the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture and the commercial fishing industry.

The new design will be modeled and tested at the Marine Institute�s flume tank. It will be put through a number of rigging configurations to ensure the optimal performance level is achieved.

"This proposed trawl design would be very beneficial for shrimp fishermen in this province," said Minister Rideout. "With increased fuel efficiency, the economic impacts of harvesting shrimp would be greatly reduced, resulting in a net economic gain for shrimp harvesters."

Minister Rideout reiterated that government places the utmost importance on the provincial fishery. "The fishing industry in this province, as well as the viability of rural Newfoundland and Labrador, are top priorities for government," said Minister Rideout. "The fishery is currently undergoing dramatic changes, and we are committed to addressing these changes for the people of this province who depend on the resource. Government will contribute to any initiative where tangible benefits for any sector of the industry are evident."

"Our efforts to support the development of this new trawl design," continued the minister, "certainly demonstrates this commitment."

Media contact: Lori Lee Oates, ABC, Communications, (709) 729-3733, 690-8403

2006 02 14                                     9:40 a.m.