The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture:

Provincial Government Launches New Children’s Book

Mr. Speaker, on the heels of Public Service Week, I rise today in this Honourable House to acknowledge a positive initiative that was devised and carried through to fruition by staff in my department.

Through the creativity and hard work of staff in the Policy and Planning Branch of the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, our government recently published a children’s book titled Jake the Puffin’s Amazing Adventure. The book is a fictitious story based on the actual event of Paddy the Puffin, who managed to make his way to Montreal, Quebec, in 2011. By reading the book and completing the accompanying activity guide, children learn about the importance of coastal and oceans management.

Mr. Speaker, we thought this was a great idea from the start and we’ve been excited to watch the project develop and form into the book that staff envisioned. Over the past few months, we have seen the creative process at work and in the end we have a product that is fun, informative and thoughtful.

The book was officially unveiled on June 9 at the World Oceans Day event at the Marine Institute, and the reception since then has been incredible. Schools throughout our province, and in the United States, have already submitted requests for copies of this valuable resource for their students.

This book is a great example, Mr. Speaker, of where staff went above and beyond the call of duty. Their personal commitment makes me proud to be a part of the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. We all work hard for the people of our province.

The ocean continues to be an economic driver throughout Newfoundland and Labrador today. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, It is imperative that we continue supporting projects that enlighten and educate children and encourage them to carry forward with an affinity for the ocean and our coastlines like generations of individuals before them.

Mr. Speaker, whether it is through science-related expeditions for students, scholarships, World Oceans Day activities, or an educational book for children, our government is committed to the youth of our province and indeed committed to the sustainability of our fishery, oceans and coastlines.

Mr. Speaker, Jake the Puffin’s Amazing Adventure is available for download on the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture website and hard copies are available upon request while supplies last.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

2012 06 20             2:40 p.m.