GREENE ACTION NO. 1 SHOULD BE TO REBUILD FISH RESOURCE

One of the most effective ways to rebuild our province is to rebuild our fish resource.

Any leader without that at the forefront of an economic and social recovery plan needs to step away from public office.

There has been tragic damage to our province since we transferred fishery management to the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) more than 70 years ago; and we must press Ottawa to acknowledge that and restore the great treasure we once had.

Even the Greene Report, “The Big Reset,” states, ”Leadership is required to manage the province’s adjacent marine resources effectively.”

Dame Moya Greene also emphasized: “Rebuilding the province’s fisheries for the benefit of this and future generations.”

But, in all due respect for Greene and her team, it was obvious since 1992 that our once huge fishery had to be restored and just as obvious to make recommendations. But what is needed is a scientifically based plan of action, one that will succeed.

Some of the first, essential steps to rebuild the stocks, the industry and the province: restore the DFO science department to the level of former times; provide modern fisheries research vessels to determine the state of the resource and monitor the rebuilding process; stop the shipment of unprocessed fish to other countries by Canadian fish companies; stop sending unprocessed aquaculture salmon outside the province — why are we providing jobs elsewhere — and get with the world trend and move aquaculture out of our precious inshore fishing waters to landbased operations; stop countries like Denmark from gaining control of the province’s fisheries and companies.

The Greene Report certainly has awakened people to the enormous provincial debt and its consequences; but it failed to awaken people to the great need for a real action plan to solve the fishery problems. The future employment of thousands of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians is at stake.

In fact, the statements are just a repeat of what has been stated over and over for decades.

The premier has an opportunity in the weeks ahead to confront the federal government and demand Ottawa begin immediately to ensure the rebuilding of our fishery to the level we transferred to Canada in 1949 managed on a sustainable basis.

Decisive action must be taken and under no circumstances should our premier accept anything other than an iron-clad agreement for the federal government to rebuild the fishery.

Rebuild or contribute to further destruction of our province — it’s that simple.

Gus Etchegary Fishery Community Alliance