Government to issue call for proposals

The Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture will be issuing a public call for proposals from processors interested in operating in the Englee/Canada Bay area processing crab and other species.

The call is being made as a result of the failure of Daley Brothers to confirm in writing whether they intend to operate their plant in Englee in 2006. Fish processing licensing policy states that licenses expire after two years of inactivity. The Englee plant has not operated since May 2004 due to structural deficiencies.

Minister Taylor had given the company until 5:00 p.m. Friday, September 30 to indicate whether they would be undertaking the necessary repairs to ensure the facility is operational for the 2006 season.

�Given the uncertainty and frustration in the community over whether a plant will be operating in the area next year, we are issuing a call for proposals,� Minister Taylor said. �Given the extent of the repairs required on the Englee facility owned by Daley�s and their failure to start construction, we believe the license will remain inactive in 2006 and expire with no processing taking place at the plant. We are taking the appropriate steps to give anyone interested in operating a facility in the area to come forward with a proposal.�

A call for proposals will be issued over the next few days. Proposals will be assessed by the Fish Processing Licensing Board based on established policy. The board will recommend to the minister whether to approve the licenses and, if so, to whom.

Media contact: Tracy Barron, Communications, (709) 729-3733, 690-6157

2005 10 03                       2:40 p.m.