Fisheries and Aquaculture
May 25, 2016

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

Recreational Cod Fishery Develops Marine Tourism Opportunities

Mr. Speaker, on Friday I was in Heart’s Delight-Islington with Federal Minister Judy Foote where I had the pleasure of participating in the announcement of the 2016 recreational cod fishery.

I am very pleased with the Federal Government’s decision to extend the recreational fishery by 14 days, which includes all weekends in July and August, as well as the Canada Day and Labour Day long weekends.

The recreational fishery presents exciting opportunities for growth, including marine tourism. With the recreational fishery now extending into weekends, provincially-licenced tour boat operators will have the opportunity to provide tourists with a truly unique experience.

This was a priority area for the Premier when he appointed me as Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture – to work with my federal counterparts to expand the recreational fishery and to look at opportunities to develop marine fisheries tourism.

Planning for the revitalization of groundfish is something that was also outlined in my mandate letter. We have already taken steps toward achieving this through funding for the establishment of a Fisheries Advisory Council and the new Seafood Innovation and Transition Program in Budget 2016.

Mr. Speaker, the recreational fishery is something that many people look forward to every year. As stocks rebound we will continue to support expansion of both the recreational and commercial cod fisheries.

2016 05 25                              2:20 p.m.