News Release

AMHERST, N.S. (GNB) – The fisheries ministers in the Maritime provinces agreed today to create an independent panel to examine the factors affecting lobster prices in Atlantic Canada and to work collectively on marketing initiatives.

Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries Minister Michael Olscamp and his counterparts in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island agreed on this course of action during a meeting in Amherst, N.S.

"It was a productive meeting," said Olscamp. "We agreed it is neither a New Brunswick issue nor a Nova Scotia issue nor a Prince Edward Island issue. It is an eastern Canadian issue. It is only by working together that we can move forward."
        
The panel will consider ways to ensure the best return for all stakeholders and communities involved, recognizing the uniqueness of the various fishing areas in the region and of the products produced, whether live or processed. Senior officials will report back to the ministers in two weeks about the terms of reference and membership of the panel.

The ministers will reach out to other jurisdictions, including Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec and Maine. They agreed that the federal government has a key role to play in the management of the fishery and the development of international markets.

"This was an important and productive meeting which was crucial to the future of our coastal communities," said Nova Scotia Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Sterling Belliveau. "Working together, we can find solutions to an important issue facing families in our region."

"While we are moving forward to address this issue on Prince Edward Island, I am pleased we will be co-operating with others in Atlantic Canada facing similar challenges," said Ron MacKinley, minister of fisheries, aquaculture and rural development from that province.