Fisheries and Aquaculture
May 1, 2014
Protecting the Interests of the Fishery and the Economy
Federal Government Needs to Prepare Financial Support to Address Ice Delays
As part of protecting the economic interests of harvesters and plant workers, the Provincial Government informed the Federal Government of severe ice conditions that have delayed the start of certain fisheries in specific regions of the province, and advised that a financial program must be readily available if industry participants need assistance as their Employment Benefits expire.
“The Provincial Government has been in regular contact with
industry and the Federal Government over the past several weeks to ensure
the best interests of harvesters and plant workers are protected should
their Employment Insurance benefits expire before fishing activity can
begin. I have contacted the Ministers of Fisheries and Oceans and
Employment and Social Development to emphasize that financial support was
provided in the past, and must be available again for impacted individuals
as needed.”
- The Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of
Fisheries and Aquaculture
In 2007, the Federal Government provided an Ice Compensation Package available to support people involved in the fishery when ice conditions delayed the start of the season. The program made it possible for eligible participants to receive weekly compensation that was comparable to their weekly Employment Insurance payments at the time. The Provincial Government and industry representatives have made requests to have similar programming readily available in cases where ice conditions create economic hardship for people and communities that rely on fishing activity. The decision to implement funding support falls exclusively under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government.
QUICK FACTS
- The Provincial Government has advised the Federal Government that financial support must be available for harvesters and plant workers who cannot work due to the impact of ice conditions, and whose Employment Insurance benefits have expired.
- Representatives from the fishing industry have also recently requested Federal assistance to address any economic challenges arising from ice delays.
- The primary species harvested at this time of year is snow crab and lobster.
- The landed value of all snow crab caught by provincial harvesters in 2013 was $209 million, and the landed value of all lobster caught by provincial harvesters was $17 million.
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Media contact:
Jason Card
Director of Communications
Department
of Fisheries and Aquaculture
709-729-3733, 699-0470
jasoncard@gov.nl.ca
2014 05 01 2:55 p.m.