People from across the province are being encouraged to take a few moments today to reflect on the true value and benefits derived from our fishery as World Fisheries Day is celebrated around the world.

Since 1998 World Fisheries Day has been marked annually on November 21 and presents an opportunity to highlight the impact of wild fisheries and aquaculture to coastal communities throughout the world.

Here in Newfoundland and Labrador the fishery has been an integral part of the provinces history, culture and economy for generations. This strong attachment to the fishery continues today as the seafood industry here employs almost 16,000 people from over 400 communities in harvesting, processing, and aquaculture operations.

In 2018, the value of total fish and seafood production was $1.3 billion, marking the fourth consecutive year the value of seafood production in Newfoundland and Labrador has exceeded one billion dollars.

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“World Fisheries Day is an important designation that serves to remind us about the important role global fisheries play in providing the world with a healthy and sustainable source of protein. Seafood producers here in Newfoundland and Labrador are continuing to make a meaningful contribution to the global supply of safe, high quality seafood. Today marks the appropriate occasion to acknowledge these efforts and the role the fishery plays in supporting hundreds of the coastal communities around our province.”
Honourable Gerry Byrne
Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources

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Media contact
Craig Renouf
Fisheries and Land Resources
709-637-2923, 640-6922
craigrenouf@gov.nl.ca