February 12, 2009
OTTAWA – The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today issued the following statement:
Today, I am announcing adjustments for buddy-up arrangements in the greater than 40' fleet in Newfoundland and Labrador.
I have followed the debate on this issue closely and I believe that the fishery resources in Newfoundland and Labrador should benefit those with a direct investment in the industry. I remain committed to fleet rationalization and the owner-operator principle, as announced in the April 2007 statement on fisheries renewal.
In consideration of the current serious economic downturn, Buddy-up arrangements in the over 40' fleet will be continued in 2009 but only under strict conditions. For 2009, in the greater than 40' fleet, buddy-up arrangements will be permitted under the following criteria:
Buddy-up arrangements must be between the same two partners involved in arrangements approved in 2008; buddy-up arrangements must apply for the entire fishing season; and the license holder who is not the owner of the vessel being used for the buddy-up arrangement must be on-board the vessel during the period that the buddy-up species (crab and/or shrimp) is being fished.
Buddy-up arrangements with these conditions will create a level playing field with those enterprises that have combined. We will continue to explore options to develop longer term policy options that remove obstacles to permanent combining and facilitate fleet rationalization.
For 2009, in the less than 40' fleet, the vessel registration flexibility will be continued for those limited arrangements approved in 2008. Buddy-up arrangements in the less than 40' fleet do not generate the same concerns and it is widely accepted that two quotas can be harvested on one vessel provided that both licence holders are on board.
License conditions for the 2009 fishing season will be available at
licensing offices in the coming weeks.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION
Bob Fagan
A/Regional Director, Communications
Newfoundland and Labrador
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
709-772-7622
Ann Matejicka
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa, 613-992-3474
