Today, the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, the Honourable Clyde Jackman, encouraged continued vigilance by all parties in moving forward to find solutions for the long-term structural issues in the province's fishing industry. In July 2009, the Provincial Government, Fish, Food and Allied Workers (FFAW), and Association of Seafood Producers (ASP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding MOU) regarding the long-term development of the province's fishing industry.

"The progress toward finding solutions to address the structural issues in the fishing industry has unfortunately been slower than we initially anticipated," said Minister Jackman. "I have asked the chair of the MOU steering committee to convene a meeting by the middle of next week, at which time all reports and proposals will be presented. We are hopeful the process will be completed with solutions proposed and accepted by all parties over the next few months."

Since the signing of the MOU, representatives from the FFAW and ASP have been providing input to the process through working groups and a steering committee. The Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture has received proposals for addressing the problems in the industry from both the harvesting and processing sector representatives this past January, with further information coming forward from the FFAW in February. These proposals are seeking a high level of financial support from the Provincial Government and present solutions that in the past have not proven to address the long-term structural issues in the industry. In addition, other submissions and correspondence have been reviewed from industry stakeholders.

As well, a financial analysis of the industry is being carried out by external consultants, with Grant Thornton completing the analysis of the processing sector and Deloitte completing the harvesting sector analysis. Minister Jackman stated today that he expects the financial analysis reports will be completed in the near future.

When the financial analysis reports are received, the working groups will be asked to consider the reports and the proposals submitted to date. They will develop recommendations for the steering committee, which will conduct its own analysis of the reports and proposals.

"Our government's vision of the province's fishing industry has always been a vision of a self-reliant, viable, industry that provides income levels that are attractive to its participants and young people," said Minister Jackman. "This was the vision put forward in the Fishing Industry Renewal Strategy and it continues to be what people tell us they want from the province's fishing industry."

The steering committee is being chaired by Professor Tom Clift of the Memorial University's Faculty of Business.

"This process has proven to be extensive and challenging," said Professor Clift. "As chair, I now have to work with the parties to forge consensus on the programs and policies that can best achieve the objective of the MOU."

Ultimately, the steering committee and proposals arising from its analysis will be presented to the Federal Government.

"While this process has taken a great deal of time, I understand that the parties to the MOU are dealing with very complex issues," said Minister Jackman. "I look forward to hearing about their vision of the industry and the potential solutions that they will bring forward."

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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