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Gerry Reid, Opposition Fisheries Critic and MHA for the
District of Twillingate-Fogo, says he was disappointed to hear the comments
of a senior official from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans who stated
last week that custodial management was not a priority of the federal
government. Reid is disappointed that the provincial government remains
silent on this issue. "In their election blue
book, the PC party promised to launch an extensive campaign to secure
custodial management on the nose and tail of the Grand Banks," said Mr.
Reid. "However, since taking office, there has been no campaign and we have
actually heard very little from the Premier or Minister of Fisheries and
Aquaculture regarding this issue. If the provincial government was truly
pressing this issue, why would senior federal bureaucrats be saying that
custodial management is not on their radar screen?
"I also wonder whether Bill Rowe is making this
province’s case to the federal government. We have yet to see any results
whatsoever from Mr. Rowe’s presence in Ottawa and I am truly beginning to
question the value of his position. Mr. Rowe was supposed to consult and
educate these same federal officials who are now snubbing their noses at
issues of importance to this province. If this continues to be the case, why
are we wasting hundreds of thousands of dollars in salaries, travel and
administrative expenses for a position that is having no impact.
"Custodial management appears to have little support
in Ottawa. It also appears to have few champions in the provincial
government of our province. For a government who stated they would fight for
this initiative, their silence continues to be deafening."
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