Minister announces advisory committee for insular Newfoundland caribou initiative

Clyde Jackman, Minister of Environment and Conservation, announced today that a committee has been established to advise government on various aspects of the enhanced caribou management strategy which was approved in the 2006 Budget.

In April the minister announced that a two-year, $3 million strategy was being implemented in this fiscal year to examine 10 of the major caribou populations of insular Newfoundland. The minister also advised that an advisory committee would be established to guide the development of the caribou strategy. The committee will advise the ministers of the three government departments that deal with various aspects of caribou conservation, including Ed Byrne, Minister of Natural Resources, Tom Hedderson, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, as well as Minister Jackman.

"Officials of my department have been in contact with the advisory committee previously identified. It gives me great pleasure to announce today the individuals selected," said Minister Jackman. The minister noted that Dr. Dan Stewart, associate professor, Sir Wilfred Grenfell College will represent the academic community and serve as committee chair. Other members include Ms. Gudrid Hutchings, president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Outfitters Association; Mr. Stuart Weldon, representing resident hunters; Mr. Darrell Harris, Department of Natural Resources; Ms. Mary Taylor-Ash, Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation; and Ms. Christine Doucet, Department of Environment and Conservation. Minister Jackman added that senior officials from the Natural Heritage Branch of his department will provide committee members with the necessary information required to assist them in their deliberations.

The minister acknowledged that these individuals have agreed to participate in this committee and stated that the advice he and his colleagues receive from the advisory committee will be extremely important as his department proceeds with various monitoring and research activities to be conducted in support of developing an enhanced caribou management strategy. "The caribou are an important resource to the people of this province, with a wide range of economic, recreational and heritage values," said the minister. "It is imperative that we receive the best advice available to assist our government with programs that will be necessary to protect and conserve our caribou populations."

Media contact: Diane Hart, Communications, (709) 729-2575, 685-4401

2006 06 16                             9:35 a.m.