Opposition urging immediate involvement of the Feds in fisheries MOU process

Marshall Dean, MHA for the District of the Straits & White Bay North and Opposition Fisheries Critic, says the immediate involvement of the federal government is critical to fast-tracking the Fisheries MOU implementation process and he is calling on the provincial government to bring them to the table as soon as possible.

Two key parties to the MOU, signed in July 2009, presented government with its proposals last month on how to sustain the troubling fisheries for the long-term.   Issues such as the financial state of the industry, a bold marketing strategy and restructuring frameworks for both the processing and harvesting are being considered to stabilize the industry.

“The Minister of Fisheries stresses how important it is that the federal government be involved in the restructuring, yet they have not been part of this very vital make-it or break-it course of action for the fishery”, says Dean.  “I encourage government to be more proactive on a solid game plan for our fisheries if they are at all serious about its short-term and long-term survival.”

Dean points to the meeting request to the fisheries minister by the Seafood Processors of Newfoundland and Labrador to outline their views on fisheries restructuring issues as yet another example whereby government could have been inclusive of the stakeholders in the fisheries.

The MHA says that it is not good enough for the Premier to acknowledge that Ottawa needs to be at the table following his meeting last week with Harper. ”It only makes sense that they should have been brought to the table when the process began last year, given they are a key stakeholder in this restructuring process.

- 30 -