Opposition supports Fish Price-Setting Panel as legitimate process  

Marshall Dean, MHA for The District of the Straits-White Bay North and Opposition Critic for Fisheries, says while there may be options to address any deficiencies in the Fisheries Price-Setting Panel, the process needs to be honoured at this time to mitigate a full-scale shut down of the industry.

Dean was reacting to news the Association of Seafood Producers (ASP) is withdrawing from the Panel and has asked government to replace it with a one person arbitrator. The Fisheries Union (FFAW) has reacted charging ASP with using unfair pressure tactics to undermine the Union.

“What we have here is a disagreement with a mechanism that sets fish prices and  it has escalated to a point where it threatens not only this year’s already fragile fishery, but may derail a process of long-term reform that is meant to strengthen the industry,” says Dean. “Surely, a simple issue should not stand in the way of these two important goals.

“I think it is essential that the provincial government step in the middle of this dispute and state that the present process will be honoured and instigate a dialogue that would address any perceived shortfalls of the Panel.”

- 30 -