February 27, 2012
Minister Takes Exception to Comments Made by FFAW Regarding Future of Fishery
The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, responded today to recent comments made by representatives of the Fish, Food and Allied Workers’ Union (FFAW) at public information sessions in Marystown and St. John’s.
“Over the last number of months, Premier Dunderdale and I have said that everyone engaged in the Newfoundland and Labrador fishery discussion need to park their agendas at the door before meaningful change can occur,” said Minister King. “Once again we continue to see the FFAW and others accuse government of a lack of interest in solving the challenges facing the province’s fishery. However, we stand on our record that significant work and investment has taken place over the last five years. Unfortunately, this is conveniently ignored by the executive of the FFAW. Our government will no longer stand by and watch the FFAW and others downplay our government’s commitment to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Minister King noted that the history of Provincial Government investment to support the fishery speaks for itself.
“It is convenient that the FFAW continues to ignore the reality - that our government invests more into the fishery than all other Atlantic Provinces combined,” said Minister King. “Since 2006, our government has invested over $47 million in support for the fishery and this includes approximately $1.27 million to the FFAW directly.”
An overview of this funding is contained in the backgrounder below.
The FFAW also continues to make claims that the province scrapped the Fishing Industry Rationalization and Restructuring MOU. Minister King said that these claims are completely inaccurate.
“During the 18-month MOU process, our government stated very clearly that it wasn’t interested in a plan that focused on bailouts and buyouts,” said Minister King. “Of the $450 million in recommendations contained in the MOU report, we saw value in only a small portion, such as those regarding seafood sales and marketing. We want to create a viable industry that comes with value for all those involved which was not accomplished through the MOU report.”
The Provincial Government will continue supporting the fishing industry and engaging with the Federal Government on issues in the industry that matter to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, including the recent suggested policy changes by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
Minister King believes that Newfoundlanders and Labradorians can see through the FFAW’s political posturing. The path to developing a sustainable fishery of the future will only be found when such actions end.
“Everyone can be assured that the decisions this government will make, now and in the future, will provide the maximum possible benefit for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador from our fish resources,” said Minister King.
- 30 -
Media contact:
Bradley Power
Director of Communications
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
709-729-3733, 699-5707
bradleypower@gov.nl.ca
BACKGROUNDER
Provincial Government Funding in Support of the
Fishing Industry since 2006-07
| Fiscal Year | Total Investment |
| 2006-07 | $ 1,236,703 |
| 2007-08 | $ 10,140,025 |
| 2008-09 | $ 5,841,826 |
| 2009-10 | $ 6,111,788 |
| 2010-11 | $ 10,058,414 |
| 2011-12 | $ 13,825,977 |
| Total | $ 47,214,733 |
Funding Provided to the FFAW since 2006-07
| Funding Amount by Fiscal Year | ||||||
| Funding Source | 2006-07 | 2007-08 |
2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 |
| Fisheries Research Grant Program | $4,000 | $75,000 | $75,000 | $50,000 | ||
| $50,000 | $50,000 | $50,000 | $50,000 | $50,000 | ||
| $25,000 | $25,000 | |||||
| $33,000 | ||||||
| $93,334 | ||||||
| $52,590 | ||||||
| Subtotals | $50,000 | $54,000 | $125,000 | $125,000 | $125,000 | $203,924 |
| Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities Program | $10,000 | |||||
| $22,786 | ||||||
| $84,787 | ||||||
| $15,000 | ||||||
| $99,475 | ||||||
| $98,502 | ||||||
| $79,493 | ||||||
| Subtotals | $0 | $0 | $117,573 | $114,475 | $177,995 | $0 |
| Departmental Grants | $15,000 | |||||
| $17,979 | ||||||
| $74,258 | ||||||
| Subtotals | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $107,237 | $0 |
| Seafood Marketing and Support Services Grants | $5,720 | |||||
| $37,231 | ||||||
| $4,000 | ||||||
| $2,073 | ||||||
| $14,026 | ||||||
| $5,000 | ||||||
| Subtotals | $0 | $42,952 | $0 | $4,000 | $2,073 | $19,026 |
| Totals | $50,000 | $96,952 | $242,573 | $243,475 | $412,305 | $222,950 |
| Grand Total | $1,268,255 | |||||
2012 02 27 5:20 p.m.