Minister announces major fisheries forum

John Efford, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, said today that his department will host a major fisheries forum next month to address ways to achieve a sustainable fishery for the future and ensure stability in coastal communities.

Fisheries Forum 2000: A Forum on Sustainability and Viability will bring together industry and community stakeholders to discuss issues such as fisheries management challenges, industry viability, community stability and the health and long term potential of our marine resources.

"My department is committed to working with industry and other stakeholders to ensure we have a sustainable and viable fishery in the future. This two-day forum will enable key stakeholders to come together and identify ways to achieve this goal and ensure economic stability in rural Newfoundland and Labrador," said Mr. Efford.

The forum, which will be held March 14 and 15 at Hotel Newfoundland, will feature a number of speakers who will address a variety of issues facing the future of our fishery.

Mr. Efford said although our fishing industry reached a billion dollar production value in 1999, there are still many challenges in its ongoing revitalization, especially in the small boat sector.

"A major challenge is ensuring that we do not repeat the mistakes we made with our traditional groundfishery and that our fishery is managed in a prudent and sustainable manner," he added. "We must all work together and make wise decisions that will allow our revitalized fishery to move forward in a diversified manner that will benefit our future generations."

Mr. Efford said Fisheries Forum 2000 is part of government�s pro-active efforts to achieve a sustainable, well-managed and diversified fishery in the future.

Media contact: Sonia Glover-Sullivan, Communications, (709) 729-3733.

More information can also be obtained from theFisheries Forum 2000 website: www.gov.nl.ca/fishaq/forum2000

2000 02 24                                                                 10:00 a.m.