Fisheries and Aquaculture
November 20, 2014
The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Vaughn Granter, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture:
Provincial Government Recognizes World Fisheries Day
I rise in this Honourable House to recognize World Fisheries Day, an annual celebration that takes place on November 21. Tomorrow, people throughout the world will take this opportunity to reflect on the importance of fishing and aquaculture to our economy, environment, and culture.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to take a moment this Friday to consider how the provincial seafood sector contributes to prosperity in our province. In 2013, the total production value of our seafood industry was approximately $1.1 billion. This economic activity provided direct employment for more than 18,000 people - mostly in rural parts of the province. In addition to this, the fishing and aquaculture sectors also create significant spin-off employment in areas that include the transportation, industrial supply, and service sectors.
Given the economic significance of the provincial seafood industry, it is important for provincial producers to always remain competitive in global markets. The Provincial Government made it a priority to support industry in this regard, and created the Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities Program in 2007 to support projects that enhance the harvesting, farming, processing, and marketing of provincial seafood. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to note that to date, more than 270 research and development projects have been made possible through the Provincial Government’s commitment of $16 million to this program.
Mr. Speaker, this government is also carefully monitoring and protecting the ocean environment. Since 2010, the Provincial Government has committed $15.1 million to the Marine Institute’s Centre for Fisheries Ecosystems Research. This centre gives the province unprecedented insight into trends involving specific species and the marine environments they inhabit. In addition, since 2006 this government has contributed more than $3.2 million through our Fisheries Research Program, which has supported 50 fisheries science projects involving partnerships with the Federal Government, academia, and industry.
Mr. Speaker, the people working in our province’s seafood sector have endured dangers at sea, moratoria, and the uncertainty of world markets, and have always shown the resilience and resourcefulness that defines what it means to be from Newfoundland and Labrador. On World Fisheries Day, this government would like to remind everyone that we share their commitment to building a fishery that is strong, vibrant, and sustainable for generations to come. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
2014 11 20 2:00 p.m.