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Fisheries and Aquaculture May 6, 2008 The following statement was issued by the Honourable Tom Rideout, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. It was also read in the House of Assembly: Reopening of Processing Facility at Fortune I rise today to inform Honourable colleagues and the people of Newfoundland and Labrador that Ocean Choice International (OCI) will be reopening the fish processing facility at Fortune in July. It is certainly very positive news that OCI will reactivate the Fortune facility. It has been a difficult three years for the community, but today we have some reason to celebrate. There is certainly new hope for the people of Fortune and our government looks forward to the good things that lie ahead for that community. OCI will be resuming a groundfish operation, focused on salt fish, at the Fortune plant. Initially, the company will re-hire approximately 35-40 workers who were displaced when FPI closed the facility in 2005. Depending on raw material availability, as many as 70 workers may be rehired at a later date. Today �s news is just another indication of how the sale of FPI is restoring stability to the fishing industry. When that transaction was finalized, we knew that our efforts would result in positive developments for all communities and workers involved. And today, the Fortune facility for which FPI had no future plans has been given new life. And while we recognize the challenges facing the global seafood sector, we are certainly pleased to celebrate any gains and successes that are achieved.In addition to the Fortune facility, the plants at Burin and Marystown have already re-commenced operations since the Provincial Government signed MOUs with OCI and High Liner in May 2007. Since the Fortune facility closed in 2005, our government has worked with the Town of Fortune to find a new operator for the plant and to ease the difficulties endured by residents. From day one, we have been behind the displaced workers at Fortune. While we explored future options for the facility, the community was able to benefit from new workforce adjustment measures that were initiated by our government to assist individuals affected by permanent plant closures. Under the Fishing Industry Renewal Strategy, we have allocated $2.5 million over 3 years for workforce adjustment measures. Fortune, Port aux Basques and Trouty have all benefited from this initiative. This is a perfect example of our government �s commitment to respond in a timely manner to the needs of fishery-based communities in rural regions.The Provincial Government will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with the communities and the workers who depend on the fishing industry. We have helped to secure new futures for Harbour Breton, Marystown, Burin and now Fortune, among the many others who continue to benefit from our focused approach to fisheries and aquaculture development. We will continue to implement this approach as we move toward a renewed, self-sustaining fishing industry for Newfoundland and Labrador. 2008 05 06 1:50 p.m.
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