News Release Archive
PREMIER/FISHERIES--CALL FOR EMERGENCY MEETING
------------------------------------------------------------
Premier John Savage and Fisheries Minister Jim Barkhouse
want an emergency meeting with federal Fisheries Minister
Fred Mifflin to discuss more fully the current dispute over
fisheries policies and licence fees.
The request came following a meeting this afternoon between
the premier, Mr. Barkhouse and fisher representatives with
the Alliance of Inshore Fishermen's Groups.
"The situation in Nova Scotia has reached a critical point.
We have been thoroughly frustrated in our attempts to
resolve the issues and are insisting upon a meeting with
federal Fisheries Minister Mifflin to break the impasse and
get our industry back on track," said Premier Savage.
Echoing the premier's statement, Mr. Barkhouse noted that
the situation is very tense. "The federal Fisheries
department is shaking the basic foundation of a way of life
in this province without possessing all the necessary
information to make sound decisions. Recent comments from
the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) demonstrate
that it does not understand the unique nature of our
industry," said Mr. Barkhouse.
The minister added that the people and coastal communities
which are affected by DFO changes have been completely left
out of the equation. "Contrary to what the federal
government is saying, new licence fees were developed
entirely within DFO without the benefit of constructive and
detailed consultation with industry and provincial
governments," he said.
"DFO has put the cart before the horse. If proper and
meaningful consultation had taken place before the
development of policies, the department would have made
better-informed decisions and Nova Scotia would have been
treated more fairly. As it is, they have completely misread
our industry and are undermining the future of thousands of
Nova Scotians."
Barkhouse disputed DFO's assertion that the majority of Nova
Scotia fishermen are paying $100 or less for licences. "This
is not true. In fact, the great majority of our fishermen
are paying well above $100 for their licences."
The premier said the new fees, together with other changes
will have a devastating effect on coastal communities. He is
urging that a task force be established to examine the
cumulative impacts of all this and other financial
obligations being placed on fishermen.
"This task force would differ from what DFO is proposing
with the Canadian Council of Professional Fish Harvesters,
which will focus on a review of licence fees on an
Atlantic-wide basis," he explained.
Premier Savage noted that the province shares the concerns
of the Alliance of Inshore Fishermen's Groups with regard to
criteria for those who eventually will become full-time
(core) fishermen. "We urged the federal government to
consider handline, traps and weirs as key licences and hence
core."
The province has a responsibility to maintain and protect
the social and economic stability of its coastal
communities, said Mr. Savage. "We must play a key role in
the development of policies affecting the fabric of our
economy."
-30-
Contact: David Harrigan 902-424-3750
Diane Kenny 902-424-0308
trp Feb. 15, 1996 - 4:15 p.m.
