Fisheries and Aquaculture
February 14, 2014

Support for the Cod Sector Promotes Long-Term Prosperity

Minister Tours Icewater Processing Plant in Arnold’s Cove

The Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, and Calvin Peach, MHA for Bellevue, recently toured the Icewater groundfish processing plant located in Arnold’s Cove, and spoke with workers about efforts to maximize value from provincial cod resources.

“The Provincial Government appreciates the challenges that cod processors and harvesters experienced this year, which is why we invited the Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation to work with all industry players to create new ideas that could improve the value we get from our provincial cod resources. We are open to exploring any pilot project that can create gains for those working on the water, as well as people working in groundfish plants like Icewater. I encourage industry stakeholders to work with the Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation, and I look forward to receiving proposals from the industry.”
- The Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture

Icewater Seafoods in Arnold’s Cove is a state-of-the-art groundfish processing plant that has employed up to 180 people at peak operation. The Provincial Government has demonstrated its support for cod processing activity in the past by providing funding to help the Icewater facility pursue greater energy efficiency and achieve cost savings.

“The development of groundfish resources is a priority for the Provincial Government, and has been supported through research, funding, policies, and partnership with the industry. There are indications that cod could play a larger role in our overall fishery in years to come, and our support for plants like Icewater will help ensure we are ready to take advantage of that opportunity.”
- Calvin Peach, MHA for Bellevue

In addition to recent work with the Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation to promote greater returns from cod resources, the Provincial Government has engaged in significant research to enhance what is known about the resource and to plan for future activity. Newfoundland and Labrador is currently the only province in Canada that is solely funding its own offshore fisheries research, which is carried out through the Centre for Fisheries Ecosystem Research and other partnerships.

Maximizing the value derived from provincial seafood resources will be particularly important in light of the fact that the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) between Canada and the European Union (EU) is expected to come into force within the next two years. CETA will remove tariffs and end use restrictions on provincial seafood entering EU countries, which will provide the provincial fishing industry unrestricted access to the world’s richest seafood markets.

“The groundfish sector has provided meaningful employment for residents in Arnold’s Cove and surrounding areas, and if we can improve the overall approach to bringing cod to market, it has the potential to create significant economic gains throughout the province. With CETA coming into effect in the coming years, there are major opportunities ahead for groundfish sales in European markets, and I am optimistic about the gains we can achieve from those opportunities. I thank the Provincial Government for its ongoing support for the cod sector, and look forward to achieving greater gains.”
- Alberto Wareham, President of Icewater Seafoods.

Through sound fiscal management and responsible decisions, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is strengthening the business environment, encouraging the development of innovative industries, and building a vibrant economy.

QUICK FACTS

• Minister Keith Hutchings and MHA Calvin Peach recently toured the Icewater Seafoods plant in Arnold’s Cove and spoke with workers about recent efforts to enhance the value of provincial cod resources.
• In October 2013, the Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation accepted a request from the Provincial Government to explore ways to improve the economic value of provincial cod resources. The centre will work with harvesters and processors to create pilot projects that could derive greater value from cod products, and benefit both harvesters and processors.
• The Provincial Government has helped processing plants achieve greater efficiency and test innovative new equipment through the Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities Program, which was established in 2008.

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2014 02 14                                          10:05 a.m.