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Opposition Leader Gerry Reid says he is very disappointed that the
provincial government has taken very little interest and initiative in
dealing with fishery issues in the province. Reid referenced the lack of a
lobbying effort by the provincial government to encourage the federal
government to develop a licence buyout program or early retirement package
to rationalize the fishing industry and stabilize the long-term future of
the sector. "On Friday, I met with fish harvesters and FFAW officials who
highlighted the problems that currently exist in the province’s fishery,"
said Mr. Reid. "While these individuals outlined the crisis that is
currently facing the fishing sector, they also expressed their
disappointment that the provincial government has not concentrated on any
significant lobbying effort to encourage the federal government to develop a
long-term future for the fishery in this province. This long-term plan
includes a licence buyout program and an early retirement package."
According to union officials, the landed value of fish in this province
is down approximately $200 million from last year. This translates into a
drop of approximately $400-500 million in export value. In the crab industry
alone, several negative factors were experienced that saw the market value
of crab being lowered; the high Canadian dollar; and the government imposed
Raw Material Sharing (RMS) system that caused a labour dispute which shut
down the industry for several weeks.
"While the provincial government continues to state that they believe a
rationalized and smaller fishery is the solution to the many problems that
currently face the industry, I am very disappointed they have done very
little to encourage the federal government to move forward with an early
retirement package or licence buyout program. This is another example of
this government’s disinterest in the fishing industry of this province. If
they had any interest in the livelihoods of fishing families, they would be
working much harder to find solutions.
"With the visible challenges that currently face our fishery, it is
imperative that there be some kind of change. The workers and their union
feel that the best long-term plan is to rationalize the industry by removing
and retiring licences. This would provide a stronger future for younger fish
harvesters who want to ensure that the fishery remains strong and vibrant.
Unless the provincial government takes a more active role and works with the
fishing industry, I fear this sector of our economy will continue to
struggle into the future."
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