Fisheries and Aquaculture
May 5, 2015

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

Harvesting for Quality Workshop

I rise today to recognize an event recently organized by the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture to support a valuable part of our fishing industry - our harvesters.

On March 25, the department sponsored a one-day workshop for the under 40-foot vessel fleet that focused on vessel innovation and harvesting for quality. The event was organized with the assistance of the Marine Institute and the Professional Fish Harvesters Certification Board. Harvesters from throughout the province travelled to the Marine Institute to take part in this worthwhile workshop.

Mr. Speaker, with reduced quotas, shorter seasons, higher operating costs and crew shortages, there are a number of challenges facing the harvesting sector relating to current fleets and technology. The Provincial Government is proud to assist our industry in adjusting to these circumstances and capturing greater value for their investment. We will continue to support the development of this industry, especially during times of uncertainty.

In an industry as competitive as the fishery, the importance of striving for high quality seafood products achieved through the most efficient and safest manner possible cannot be stressed enough.

Our government is committed to working with harvesters to build a strong foundation upon which a rebounding groundfish sector can succeed. The workshop was designed to present the fleet with information on technology and best practices, while also seeking feedback from harvesters on their current status and state of readiness for the groundfish fishery of the future.

By engaging in a series of technical lectures and roundtable discussions, the department gathered valuable feedback from harvesters on a number of key topics. This information will prove incredibly valuable in identifying potential projects and various new technologies that can foster future success in the ground fishery. The $1 million allotted in Budget 2015 for the Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities Program will enable the department to continue supporting such initiatives.

Mr. Speaker, this workshop provided the opportunity for department officials, researchers and the Marine Institute to hear, directly from harvesters, what they feel they require in order to be successful as our province’s seafood industry experiences the coming shift from shellfish to groundfish. Ideas coming out of this workshop provided participants in the industry with information on potential upgrades to vessels which could lead to a more efficient, technologically advanced and less labour intensive harvest.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker

2015 05 05                             2:00 p.m.