Fisheries and Aquaculture
February 27, 2015

Protecting the Provincial Shrimp Fishery

Minister Invites All-Party Committee to Reconvene

The Honourable Vaughn Granter, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, today invited the leaders of the opposition parties to reconvene the All- Party Committee on Federal Shrimp Quota Allocations.

“In the coming weeks, the scientific assessment regarding the status of Northern Shrimp stocks off our coasts will be available, stakeholders will be asked for their positions on the management of the shrimp fishery, and the Federal Government will be making final decisions. At this important time it is vital that the all-party committee reconvene to protect the interest of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, and I look forward to working with members from the opposition parties to achieve the best possible result for our seafood industry.”
- The Honourable Vaughn Granter, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture

The all-party committee was originally formed in April of last year in response to the federal decision that placed the overwhelming majority of northern shrimp quota cuts on the inshore sector in accordance with the “Last In, First Out” policy. The all- party committee will work together to put forward the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s position regarding northern shrimp allocations.

QUICK FACTS

  • The Honourable Vaughn Granter, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, invited opposition parties to reconvene the All-Party Committee on Federal Shrimp Quota Allocations.
  • The Provincial Government has been strongly opposed to the Federal Government’s “Last In, First Out” policy since 2010, as this policy forces inshore harvesters who have been involved in the fishery since 1997 to bear the brunt of quota cuts.
  • More than 100 communities in which inshore shrimp harvesters and plant workers reside will be impacted by federal allocation decisions.

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Media contacts:

Jason Card
Director of Communications
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
709-729-3733, 699-0470
jasoncard@gov.nl.ca

2015 02 27                              12:05 p.m.