Minister Pleased Fisheries MOU Process is Moving Forward

The steering committee for the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between fishing industry stakeholders will be meeting tomorrow (Friday, March 19) and Monday, March 22. The committee comprises representatives from the Fish, Food and Allied Workers and Association of Seafood Producers, as well as Chair, Professor Tom Clift.

"I am pleased to see that the MOU process continues to move forward," said the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. "I look forward to seeing the committee's analysis of proposals that have been submitted, as well as the analysis of the financial reports on the industry. There will also be analysis of marketing issues facing the industry. I expect to receive the committee's analysis over the next couple of months."

The financial reports have been received from Deloitte and Grant Thornton on the harvesting and processing sectors respectively.

"I appreciate that the steering committee is dealing with complex issues at a difficult time in the global seafood industry," said Minister Jackman. "It is critical that this process continue to address the long-term structural issues in the fishing industry as we move 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 

2010 03 18                                                    3:00 p.m.