As a province so strongly intertwined with the fishery and the sea, it is incumbent upon all players in the Newfoundland and Labrador fishing industry to promote a culture of safety. To ensure that fishing vessel safety remains a top priority for everyone involved, the provincial government is hosting a workshop where safety issues within the industry will be thoroughly discussed.

"Truly, increased vessel safety is an issue that is near and dear to the hearts of every family that participates in the fishery, and we must all do what we can to eliminate the tragedies involved with the loss of vessels at sea," said the Honourable Tom Rideout, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. "Today�s fishery demands that safety be everyone�s top priority, and we must continue to ensure that we are all adequately educated in this particular area. To that end, we are pleased to host this very worthwhile workshop."

The workshop is taking place on Wednesday, February 28, and Thursday, March 1, at Hotel Gander. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is contributing $20,000 toward the initiative, under the Fisheries Development Program of the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture. The Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation (CCFI) is a partner in the project, and has contributed $10,000. All fish harvesters are welcome to attend.

"CCFI has been actively engaged in several workshops, seminars and specific industry-led initiatives related to vessel safety in recent years through the utilization of the tremendous resources that exist in the Marine Institute and Memorial University," says Carey Bonnell, managing director of CCFI. "We are committed to working with industry and government agencies to implement the recommendations and action items arising from this workshop."

The workshop will bring together representatives from all sectors of the fishing industry. It will include presentations from Transport Canada, Canadian Coast Guard, MUN and the Marine Institute, Environment Canada, the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, as well as other provincial and federal government departments. A number of fish harvesters throughout the province will also be presenting.

Topics that will be discussed include understanding vessel stability, the concept and design of anti-roll tanks, vessel designs without length restrictions, and search and rescue procedures, among others.

"Our government is pleased to have been able to bring together the major partners required for this timely and important initiative. This workshop is indicative of government�s commitment to support a strengthened fishing industry," said Minister Rideout. "Safety should not be taken for granted, and I encourage all fish harvesters throughout Newfoundland and Labrador to attend these sessions, as everyone benefits from an increased understanding of the measures that promote a safe industry."

Harry Harding, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, will address the workshop at the dinner on Wednesday night.