(November 18, 2021) – Craig Pardy, PC Official Opposition Shadow Minister for Fisheries and MHA for Bonavista, says that Minister Derrick Bragg should commit today to ensuring that the Federal Liberal Government doesn’t strip away our ocean-based aquaculture industry.

“The people of the province who rely on the aquaculture industry deserve answers. The Federal Minister visited this province yesterday and shared no details of her plan for aquaculture in this province,” said Pardy.

“We know that the Federal Liberals are on the record promoting the transition from the ocean-based salmon farming in coastal waters to closed land-based containment systems by 2025. The Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance have previously stated that this is a reckless policy and will threaten good middle-class jobs across Canada, including right here in Newfoundland and Labrador.”

Pardy says that Premier Furey and Minister Bragg must stand up to Ottawa to ensure that our aquaculture industry isn’t stripped away. A strong, sustainable aquaculture industry and blue economy relies on a strong ocean-based aquaculture industry on the South Coast of this province. An ocean-based, closed-containment aquaculture industry has proven successful in Norway and the technology should be explored in this province, says Pardy.

“The aquaculture industry is key to the economic revival of rural Newfoundland and Labrador. Our province needs to champion an environmentally sustainable industry that provides long-term opportunities for our rural areas that are not to the detriment of our existing wild stocks,” says Pardy

“Where does the Minister and Premier stand on this very important issue? We know that initiatives to build land-based salmon farms in British Columbia, have not been successful. Minister Bragg, will you allow the Federal Minister to attempt a similar transition in this province?”

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Contacts:

David Maher

Director of Strategic Communications

(cell) 709-725-0984

DavidMaher@gov.nl.ca