Minister comments on bluefin tuna announcement

Trevor Taylor, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, today commented on the federal announcement of a 2004 fleet sector bluefin tuna quota of approximately 75 tonnes for Newfoundland and Labrador-based boats. This translates into 13.05 per cent of the Canadian quota available to Atlantic Canada based tuna fleets.

"I am pleased with the 13.05 per cent allocation for Newfoundland and Labrador," said Minister Taylor. "We have worked closely with industry representatives and our federal counterparts to ensure we have equitable sharing among the various fleets throughout Atlantic Canada. Former management systems did not permit individual fleets to develop harvesting strategies to maximize the value of the fishery."

In 2002, Fisheries and Oceans Canada undertook a review of the allocation process for the Atlantic bluefin tuna fishery. The goals of the review were to simplify the allocation process for tuna and provide industry with a more stable means of managing their participation in the fishery. In 2003, a discussion paper was prepared for consultation with stakeholders in the industry regarding fleet quotas, with the intention of establishing fleet quotas for the 2004 season.

"Canadian bluefin tuna landings in 2002 represented approximately $15 million," said the minister. "The decision by Minister Thibault to establish fleet quotas is a fair compromise that permits all of the Atlantic bluefin tuna fleets, particularly those who hold the 55 allocated licences in Newfoundland and Labrador, to participate in a meaningful way in this lucrative fishery."

Prior to 2001, the Atlantic bluefin tuna industry had been managed on a competitive basis using an allocation system known as the Inshore Tuna Allocation System (ITAS). Changes were made to the process in 2001 in an effort to improve the management of the fishery. A new system was adopted at that time based on catch history and an established harvest "cap" for each of the fleets. Fleet quotas will now be used in place of these "caps" and permit for a more precise allocation of the total quota.

Bluefin tuna quotas for the various fleets will be announced annually and will be based on the total allocation set by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT).

Media contact: Melony O�Neill, Communications, (709) 729-0557

2003 11 25                                        12:05 p.m.