The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture:

Lobster Industry Pursues Sustainability Certification with Provincial Government Support

Mr. Speaker, I rise in this Honourable House to highlight another example of how this government is partnering with the fishing industry to help maintain a competitive edge in the global marketplace. Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased to announce approximately $65,000 of funding for the Fish, Food, and Allied Workers so they can pursue Marine Stewardship Council Certification of our provincial lobster fishery.

The Marine Stewardship Council, or MSC, offers a certification process that is the most widely recognized wild fishery sustainability standard in the world. When a fishery gains this certification, it tells consumers that the fishery is carried out in a way that protects the resource for current and future generations. Consumers in key international markets such as Europe and the United States are more eco-aware than ever, and are placing a premium on fisheries that can demonstrate a responsible and sustainable approach to providing seafood products. MSC certification will be vital to maintaining access to these markets in the future, protecting the reputation of our lobster products, and assuring the industry can attract the best possible price.

Mr. Speaker, this government has a tremendous track record for helping industry players enhance and promote the sustainability of their practices, having contributed over $310,000 since 2008 to assist with the eco-certification of various fisheries. I am proud to say that this investment has resulted in 82 per cent of the landed value of our provincial fisheries being certified or in assessment for certification. I am also pleased to note that our efforts to promote sustainability do not end there. Mr. Speaker, Newfoundland and Labrador is the only province in Canada that is solely funding its own offshore fisheries research through the Centre for Fisheries Ecosystem Research and other partnerships. Since 2010, the Provincial Government has committed more than $12 million to enhance our understanding of our changing ecosystem and protect the sustainability of the industry.

Our billion dollar fishing and aquaculture industries remain key contributors to the success of our provincial economy, and this government will continue to work with the industry to protect the sustainability and reputation of these industries for years to come.

2013 05 14                                 1:50 p.m.