I was pleased to have the opportunity to meet with the All-Party Committee on Northern Shrimp while in St. John's.
I reiterated that the decision to reduce shrimp quotas was not an easy one, but one based on clear science and long-standing policies that have been clearly communicated to everyone in the industry for nearly two decades.
In-shore fleet members have received 90% of all increases to the shrimp quota since 1998, in exchange for the understanding that they would receive the majority of reductions if the stock decreased. This is exactly what has happened.
Challenges in the fishing industry have been well-known for some time. As part of our collaborative approach to working with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, our government introduced policy changes in 2007 to allow fish harvesters to operate in a more cost-efficient manner.
There was a commitment at that time from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to rationalize the processing sector. This would help limit the impact any quota reductions would have on outport communities overall. Seven years and three Premiers later, this still has not happened.
We will continue to work collaboratively with industry and our provincial counterparts on science and other potential changes to strengthen the viability of the fishery.
However, the Last In, First Out policy will not be changed midstream.
