May 17, 2017

For Immediate Release

PC Opposition Resolution Calls for Action Immediately On Joint Fisheries Management

In the House of Assembly on Wednesday, the PC Opposition Caucus brought forward a Private Member’s Resolution urging “the Government of Canada and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to take immediate action to establish joint fisheries management."

The resolution – brought forward by Opposition Fisheries Critic Kevin Parsons, and supported with speeches from Ferryland MHA Keith Hutchings and Fortune Bay – Cape La Hune MHA Tracey Perry – received unanimous support from Members of the House of Assembly.

The Opposition is calling for a committee to be put in place immediately to take the lead on developing a detailed framework for joint fisheries management and report back within a year.

Parsons said, “The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board is an excellent model to use as we make our case to Ottawa for a new approach to fisheries management that gives Newfoundland and Labrador a seat at the table in our most important resource industry.”

Hutchings said, “We need to take the politics out of this critical issue – and the best way to do that is to establish a committee, led by Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University, with the participation of industry stakeholders, to develop a detailed framework on joint fisheries management for presentation to the Government of Canada and report back within a year.”

Perry said, “The time for letting others determine our future is past. This is Canada’s 150th anniversary. So Canada – here’s how to celebrate your birthday – by granting to Newfoundland and Labrador the say we require to turn the fishing industry we brought to this country into a truly sustainable 21st-century enterprise. We have proven, through the unprecedented successes of the aquaculture industry in my district, that our fishery offers our people a bright and sustainable future, if we are directly involved in managing the industry in the best interests of the people.”

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Media Contact: Heather MacLean, Director of Operations and Communications, Office of the Official Opposition (709) 729 6105, heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca