All-Party Committee States Position to the Federal Government

Fisheries and Aquaculture
March 11, 2015

Seeking a Fair Share for Small Boat Shrimp Harvesters

All-Party Committee States Position to the Federal Government

The all-party committee on federal shrimp quota allocations officially outlined its position to the Honourable Gail Shea, federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans today about how the Federal Government should proceed with Northern Shrimp allocation decisions. The All-Party Committee supports the total allowable catch rollover for Shrimp Fishing Area 6 for this year as requested by both the inshore and offshore fleet, and has asked for the Last In, First Out (LIFO) policy to be rescinded and replaced with a new sharing arrangement that is fair to both valued fleets. The all-party committeeï¿½s letter to Minister Shea is available at www.gov.nl.ca/releases/2015/fishaq/0311n06_letter.pdf.

ï¿½The all-party committeeï¿½s letter to federal Minister Gail Shea presents compelling information that confirms the federal LIFO policy has a very negative impact on Newfoundland and Labradorï¿½s GDP. This impact can be reduced by using a different approach that is fair to the thousands of inshore harvesters and plant workers who help generate millions of dollars of economic activity in rural areas of the province. We have plans to achieve better outcomes, we have the data to back them up, and a rollover of last yearï¿½s total allowable catch gives us time to act. Now we just need federal cooperation.ï¿½
- The Honourable Vaughn Granter, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture

The committee noted that continued application of the LIFO policy would result in a significant decline in inshore harvesting enterprises; many crew displaced; a loss of five or more shrimp processing plants; several hundred plant workers displaced, and dozens of communities impacted.

ï¿½It is crucial that Minister Gail Shea move immediately to eliminate the federal Last In, First Out (LIFO) policy and move to establish a new quota sharing arrangement between the inshore and offshore shrimp fisheries. I fully support the all-party committee in calling for a process that is consistent with those applied to other fisheries and look forward to opening a dialogue with the minister at the earliest opportunity.ï¿½
- Dwight Ball, Leader of the Official Opposition

The committee has requested in its letter a meeting to present the information gathered by the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture to Minister Shea at the earliest possible opportunity.

ï¿½I do not see how the minister will be able to continue with her LIFO policy once she becomes aware of the irrefutable proof that LIFO is destructive to the communities and the workers involved in the inshore shrimp fishery. It is urgent that she meet with our committee.ï¿½
- Lorraine Michael, Parliamentary Leader of the New Democratic Party

The Federal Government is expected to make its Northern Shrimp allocation decisions within the next few weeks.

QUICK FACTS

The all-party committee on federal shrimp quota allocations sent a letter to federal Minister Gail Shea today, which asked for the total allowable catch for Shrimp Fishing Area 6 to be maintained from last year, and for the LIFO policy be rescinded in favour of a better sharing arrangement.
The committee has requested a meeting with Minister Shea at the earliest opportunity.
The Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture and the Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union have compiled information about the Northern Shrimp industry and the impact of the federal LIFO policy to help inform better allocation decisions.
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:

Roger Scaplen Director of Communications Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture 709-729-3733, 697-5267 rogerscaplen@gov.nl.ca	Carla Foote Director of Communications Office of the Official Opposition 709-729-6151, 691-6673 carlafoote@gov.nl.ca
Jean Graham Director of Communications New Democratic Party Caucus Office 709-729-2137, 709-693-9172 jeangraham@gov.nl.ca

2015 03 11 3:10 p.m.

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