The Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, today announced the members of the steering committee for the Agreement on Fishing Industry Restructuring. The members will direct and oversee the process of implementing the agreement that was reached by stakeholders to the province’s fishing industry in July and build on the established groundwork of the Fishing Industry Renewal Strategy. The committee will include representatives from the Fish Food and Allied Workers (FFAW) and Association of Seafood Producers (ASP). It is estimated that the total cost of implementing the agreement for the Provincial Government will be up to $800,000.
“The newly appointed members have significant knowledge and expertise in either the harvesting or seafood processing sectors, as well as general business and seafood marketing,” said Minister Hedderson. “I am confident that the new members of the steering committee will be able to contribute to meaningful dialogue on important issues impacting the province’s fishing industry.”
Thomas Clift, Associate Dean (Academic) at the Faculty of Business Administration, Memorial University, has been selected as the independent chair of the steering committee. As chair, he will manage and facilitate the working group process and bring forward recommendations for consideration by the Provincial Government. Professor Clift was selected in consultation with the parties to the agreement.
“Tom Clift certainly brings a wealth of experience in marine sectors, industrial organization and international marketing,” said Minister Hedderson. “We are all very pleased that he has agreed to accept the challenge of working with the fishing industry to address the issues related to industry restructuring.”
The other members of the steering committee are Earle McCurdy and David Decker from the FFAW; and, Greg Viscount, Karl Sullivan and Derek Butler from ASP. The steering committee and working groups will also receive support from senior officials within the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture.
The parties to the agreement have also been appointing working groups to conduct a financial analysis of the industry, and address issues of seafood marketing and industry restructuring. As well, the parties have been working together to develop terms of reference for the process.
“This agreement builds significantly on the work that we started with Fishing Industry Renewal Strategy,” said Minister Hedderson. “A great deal of work has already been done, a lot of investment has been made and a number of fishing industry policy initiatives have been put in place by the Williams Government. This agreement will complement the strategy while helping to reshape the industry and meet the challenges of the modern global economy.”
