The Provincial Government will provide approximately $26,000 for a project to reduce the halibut by-catch in the 4R turbot fishery, on the west coast of the island and up through the straits of Labrador. The project is being funded under the Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities program which is part of the Fishing Industry Renewal Strategy. It is being carried out in partnership with the Fish, Food and Allied Workers (FFAW).

"This is an important project for protecting the turbot fishery in the 4R area and our government is pleased to be able to provide funding for such an important initiative," said the Honourable Trevor Taylor, acting Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. "This is part of a bigger strategy to enable our provincial fishery to become more efficient and ensure its development into the future."

The plan for this project is to test fishing for turbot in the fall of the year rather than May or June when the turbot fishery is traditionally conducted. It will also test fishing turbot in deeper waters than have traditionally been fished, in the hopes that this will reduce the amount of halibut taken as by-catch. Two vessels will be chartered to catch turbot in four different depth zones in NAFO area 4R.

"The FFAW believes this effort is crucial for the conservation of the halibut resource and the protection of the turbot fishery in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Labrador Straits," said FFAW Secretary-Treasurer David Decker. "The support from the Provincial Government for this test fishery will allow us to find ways to reduce the by-catch of halibut, many of which are juvenile. This will not only benefit the halibut fishery but also a turbot fishery that remains a mainstay for many harvesters on the west coast of the island. These types of stewardship initiatives are important in ensuring that our fish resources are protected and enhanced for the benefit of our rural communities and our fishery, now and in the future."

Positive results from this test fishery may result in changes to the season opening dates and new minimum depth requirements. It is also anticipated that a reduction in by-catch will result in a reduced loss of time that now must be spent dealing with by-catch in turbot gear. This will result in a more efficient turbot fishery.

The turbot fishery experienced high halibut by-catch rates in 2007 and again in 2008. Consideration was given to closing the turbot fishery in 2008 for this reason. However, discussions between the FFAW and Federal Government resulted in a continued fishery.

"The fishery is a priority for our government," said Minister Taylor. "As such, we will continue to fund projects and initiatives that will enable our provincial fishing industry to improve its best practices. This is one project that can help our industry to accomplish that goal."

The Provincial Government has allocated $6 million over three years for research and development projects under the Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities Program. Budget 2008 allocated $2 million for this year. To date, more than $1.6 million in project funding has been approved under the program.

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