Investment in fisheries science positive and long overdue says Opposition

Liberal Opposition Leader and MHA for the District of Cartwright-L’Anse au Clair, Yvonne Jones, together with fisheries critic Marshall Dean, MHA for The District of The Straits - White Bay North, says funding allocation by the provincial government for fisheries science research is welcome news that should boost the industry’s chances to survive in the  long-term.  

MHAs Jones and Dean were reacting to news the province would inject $14 million to enhance fisheries science capacity by creating a centre of fishery science and fund a fisheries research vessel.  

“This is a step in the right direction to enable our fishing industry to be guided by independent science research from within our own province,” says Jones.  “As an Opposition, we have been pushing government to place more emphasis on the rebuilding of our fisheries resource.  Clearly, one of the building blocks in this process has to be sound research that we can trust and use to make strategic management decisions in this industry.  Perhaps if this investment had been made at the beginning of the Williams’ administration, the industry would be in better shape than it is now.”

Jones says while she questions the lack of involvement of federal government in this process, it was critically important that the province kick-start the move towards bolstering fisheries research. ”I encourage the province to now initiate a partnership approach on this matter with the federal government to ensure they start to reinvest in this sector after many years of cut-backs. It is the federal government, after all, that allocates quotas and regulates this industry.”

In the meantime, both Jones and Dean agree that today’s announcement is but one piece of the fishery rebuilding puzzle; and that much more work remains to be done. “This government needs to recognize they have to invest in communities and plant workers that are currently facing challenges from a transforming fishery.   It is critically important that those people and communities who have carried our industry through these difficult times now be accorded the substantive support they need to build a better quality of life.

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