"Custodial management is an initiative that is supported by everyone in this province, and was always supported by Minister Taylor before he became part of government," said Mr. Reid. "He is now advocating that we look at using other tools before pushing for custodial management, tools that have been used since 1977 without any success. This is the second flip-flop we have witnessed from this minister in one day. Why has he changed his stance on this issue?

"This province needs to support MP Loyola Hearn’s private member’s motion that seeks custodial management on the nose and tail of the Grand Banks. After listening to Minister Taylor’s statement yesterday, I fear he has adopted the same philosophy as the Paul Martin Government, an approach that has not worked for this province.

"We have been using these ‘other tools’ far too long. If the minister is committed to improving the management of our fishery resources, I suggest he support MP Hearn and have his motion become law. It seems that Mr. Taylor has lost his voice after becoming a cabinet minister and is now willing to allow Ottawa to dictate how our fishery will be run without any objection. We do not need a yes man bowing to the federal government on these important fishery issues, we need a representative to fight for our rights. To date, this minister has been very disappointing and I encourage him to regain the spirit he once held in Opposition to benefit Newfoundlanders and Labradorians."