Ballots have been distributed to representatives of the province�s seafood processing sector to provide an opportunity to vote on whether or not they want a provincial seafood marketing council. Enhanced marketing of the province�s seafood was an important recommendation of the Federal-Provincial Fishing Industry Renewal (FIR) Strategy. It was also a key issue raised during the extensive FIR consultation process.

"Our government is pleased to give the processing sector the opportunity to vote on such an important matter for the future of seafood marketing in the province," said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. "We have said that our government is prepared to commit up to $5.4 million in financial support and reduced licensing fees toward the council�s budget during an initial three year trial period. However, we know that it is important to have the support of industry and the Federal Government before proceeding with this initiative."

As part of moving forward on seafood marketing initiatives under the FIR strategy the Provincial Government established a Seafood Marketing Review Panel, chaired by Alexander (Sandy) Roche, a highly respected former Executive Vice President of Marketing with Fishery Products International (FPI) Limited. A key recommendation in the Roche report was that industry be given an opportunity to vote on whether or not to establish the council.

"Our government felt it was important to begin the process by examining what other jurisdictions such as Alaska and Norway were doing with their seafood marketing councils," said Minister Hedderson. "We have been diligent in doing our homework and we have taken the Roche report very seriously."

The Provincial Government has consulted with industry on the possibility of implementing a seafood marketing council, as per the recommendation in the Roche report. In response to industry�s request for an independent and confidential voting process, the department has selected Grant Thornton LLP as an independent auditor to review and tabulate the votes. The plants� representatives who will be voting were drawn from the department�s list of companies that are licensed to process seafood in the province.

Ballots must be submitted or post marked no later than January 30, 2009, and returned to the offices Grant Thornton. The results of the vote will be released by February 12, 2009.

"I encourage the seafood processing sector to review the information distributed on the proposed seafood marketing council and ensure that their voices are heard on this important matter by participating in the vote," said Minister Hedderson.

The Fishing Industry Renewal Strategy sets out a new path toward a self-sustaining fishery for Newfoundland and Labrador. The Provincial Government committed a multiyear year investment of $15 million in direct funding, and a total undertaking to an estimated $140 million, to facilitate transition in the province�s fishing industry.

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Media contact:

Lori Lee Oates
Director of Communications
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
709-729-3733, 690-8403
oatesll@gov.nl.ca