The Honourable Tom Rideout, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, today called upon the province�s representative in the Federal Cabinet and the Government of Canada to ensure that appropriate compensation measures are implemented for the benefit of those fishers impacted by ice conditions in Newfoundland and Labrador.

"Some small boat fish harvesters have been unable to commence fishing due to severe ice problems," said Minister Rideout. "These individuals depend very heavily on their fishing activities at this particular time of year, and Employment Insurance (EI) benefits are beginning to expire."

Minister Rideout added that it is incumbent on the Federal Government to respond to this particular situation with appropriate compensation. Such measures were provided last year following much representation from fish harvesters, the FFAW and our government.

"I am particularly concerned by the recent comments of our regional minister, in which he suggested that affected harvesters approach their Member of Parliament or their Member of the House of Assembly directly to seek assistance from existing programs," continued Minister Rideout. "It appears as though the Federal Government is failing to live up to its responsibilities and that it is content to let this issue fall to the wayside."

"This is clearly unacceptable, and I urge them to take this matter seriously and to address it immediately."

Minister Rideout noted that harvesters are not facing the same level of ice this year as in 2007. However, it is still very much a problem for the people affected and it is having a very negative impact on those people. This issue is no less important because fewer individuals are affected.

"The Federal Government provided ice compensation measures last year. It is certainly not unreasonable to expect that they will again this year, particularly as the assistance required is on a much smaller scale," continued Minister Rideout.

"Ice off the shores of Newfoundland and Labrador is not a new issue. Nor is its serious impact on fish harvesters at a critical time of year when the fishing season is beginning. We always anticipate that ice will have at least some impact on the opening of the spring fisheries in our province."

Minister Rideout says that what is really needed is for the Federal Government to implement a long-term strategy so that it can respond to such situations more rapidly in the future.

"Our government continues to provide the utmost support to all individuals associated with the fishing industry in Newfoundland and Labrador, and we will accept no less from the Federal Government," said Minister Rideout. "As such, we expect a timely and positive response from the Federal Government on this issue that is so important to the harvesters and the families affected."

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