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

Federal Quota Allocations for Shrimp Must Be Fair

I rise in this Honourable House to discuss the importance of achieving fair access to provincial shrimp resources for harvesters in the inshore sector.

Mr. Speaker, the Federal Government just issued short-term quotas to get the shrimp fishery started, but there are clear indications that there will be a significant reduction in the total allowable catch for shrimp this year in response to a decline in shrimp stocks. If the Federal Government applies a policy called “Last In, First Out,” almost all of this reduction will be experienced by the province’s inshore fleet. This fleet sector comprises small boat harvesters, and this quota cut would severely jeopardize many enterprises.

The “Last In, First Out” policy was established in the 1990s to protect the interests of the offshore sector when inshore harvesters became new entrants in the shrimp fishery. Those harvesters have since become full stakeholders over the last 20 years, and just like offshore harvesters, they have made major investments in their operations, and make a significant contribution to the success of the provincial fishing industry. That is why the Provincial Government is advocating to ensure any quota reductions in shrimp are shared equitably by the offshore and inshore fleets.

Mr. Speaker, I have discussed this issue on several occasions with Federal Minister Gail Shea, most recently at Seafood Expo North America in Boston, and also with Rob Moore, Minister of State for ACOA and Regional Minister for Newfoundland and Labrador. At every opportunity, I have emphasized the province’s position that any decisions regarding allocations should; consider which harvesters are adjacent to the resource, be consistent with stabilized sharing arrangements established for other fisheries, and avoid pitting one valued fleet sector against another. This position has been expressed by the province since 2010, and we expect the Federal Government will make fair and equitable decisions when final quotas are assigned. We are prepared to work with the Government of Canada to help inform a fair resolution.

Mr. Speaker, the Provincial Government agrees with the need to protect shrimp resources when fisheries science indicates conservation efforts are necessary. However, more than 2,200 plant workers, more than 250 small boat enterprises, and 14 offshore companies stand to be impacted by quota cuts. I call on all Members of this Honourable House, and Members of Parliament in Ottawa, to advocate for the best interests of our shrimp fishery, and for the communities that rely upon it.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

2014 04 02                                          2:20 p.m.