Kevin J. MacAdam, Minister of Fisheries and Tourism, announced today that his Department will be providing funding to the PEI Fishermen's Association to carry out a communications project and further assist with core funding of the Association.
"I am announcing immediate funding to the PEI Fishermen's Association in the amount of $85,000 for the current fiscal year and indicating that we plan to enter into a longer term funding arrangement for the next 2 - 3 years," said Mr. MacAdam. The Minister stated that the agreement followed months of discussions with the Association dating back to this past spring.
The Minister indicated that part of the funding, approximately $40,000, will be for the Association to undertake an ongoing communication project to provide all PEI fishers with up to date information on a wide range of fisheries issues. "It is important that fishers have information on industry performance, notices and minutes of management meetings, current management plans and many general issues of the day if they are to be in a position to make the best decisions relating to their fishing business," said the Minister.
The Minister pointed out that, in the Scotia-Fundy Region, industry groups have formed a Communications Secretariat which has been extremely well received by fishers and some discussions have taken place in the Gulf Region looking at a similar approach. "In my view, the PEI Fishermen's Association is the proper vehicle to promote communication among fishers in this Province and they can develop a partnership with the larger Gulf group if it is eventually formed but, in the meantime, our industry will be the beneficiaries," said Mr. MacAdam.
The PEI Fishermen's Association, for their part, will add a communications officer to their staff, and it will be that person's responsibility to develop the communication tools to provide information to all PEI fishers.
Mr. MacAdam announced that the remainder of the funding would be to support the ongoing operation of the Association and allow it to provide service to PEI fishers. "The Association has approached us to provide bridge funding until their investment from snow crab funds reaches the level that they can fund a major portion of their operation from interest payments," said the Minister.
"The Association also has other potential sources of revenue in the future, in addition to dues and other ongoing revenue sources, so we have made the commitment to bridge some of their expenses until these things come on stream," said Mr. MacAdam.
The Minister made it abundantly clear that, while his Department is prepared to provide some financing, the Association must ensure proper financial management and perform the services to the fishing industry which will be outlined in a contract. "The accounts of the Association will be subject to audit by the Auditor General of the Province or another independent auditor and full disclosure and monitoring of their investment portfolio by Provincial Treasury officials is part of the deal," said Mr. MacAdam.
The Minister stated that he feels with support in place, the Association can concentrate its efforts upon providing service to and representing the interests of PEI fishers. "I am really excited about the communications initiative because good reliable information is what all fishers require. I also feel strongly that fishers must work together and support a single organization if they are to have their voices heard in dealing with today's fisheries management issues," concluded Mr. MacAdam.