Fisheries and Aquaculture
March 15, 2016

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

Seafood Expo North America Highlights Province’s Seafood Industry

Mr. Speaker, I rise to highlight the Provincial Government’s participation at Seafood Expo North America, which took place in Boston from March 6 to 8.

Along with the Premier, I had the honour of participating in the largest seafood trade event in North America attracting over 20,000 buyers and suppliers from over 100 countries. This is the first time a Newfoundland and Labrador Premier has attended this expo.

The expo provides a one-stop opportunity to meet a significant number of major seafood industry players over a short period. The Premier and I had the opportunity to engage with fisheries and aquaculture counterparts from other provinces and various industry leaders on matters of mutual interest and importance. We also had the opportunity to meet with Federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Hunter Tootoo, on a range of priority issues‎ including our opposition to the federal last in, first out policy relating to Northern Shrimp and its devastating impacts on Newfoundland and Labrador communities.

Mr. Speaker, in 2015 our seafood industry was valued at over $1.2 billion. The United States remains the province’s largest export market representing approximately 40 per cent of our total exports, further highlighting the importance of participation in this premiere seafood trade event.

Through the creation of a fisheries advisory council, our government will work to increase the overall viability and competitiveness of the Newfoundland and Labrador seafood sector, particularly as we prepare for opportunities arising from the return of groundfish.

2016 03 15                              1:50 p.m.