NLIS 5
May 23, 2001
(Fisheries and Aquaculture)

Minister responds to shrimp allocations for 2001 season

Gerry Reid, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, today responded to the 2001 Northern shrimp fishery allocation which was announced by federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Herb Dhaliwal. Minister Dhaliwal stated that he was adopting a cautious approach by maintaining the same Total Allowable Catch (TAC) as 2000, meaning the TAC will remain at 110,052 tonnes this season.

"While I agree that conservation should be the most important principle in the fishery, we must also permit increases when warranted if we are to grow the industry," said Reid. "I am disappointed that Minister Dhaliwal choose to ignore the advise of the Shrimp Advisory Committee, which recommended an increase of 20 per cent, for Shrimp Fishing Area 6, to this year's TAC. The exploitation rate on Northern shrimp is very conservative and given the positive scientific advice on the state of the stock, I believe the minister should have increased the quota for the benefit of Newfoundland and Labrador stakeholders.

"I spoke with the Minister and reiterated the province's position that an increase in the TAC should be announced for this year, especially in light of the fact that many of the province's fishers have little or no shrimp to harvest." 

Media contact: Elizabeth Matthews, Communications, (709) 729-3733.

2001 05 23                                                3:00 p.m.