|
TWO of Canada's most important fishing states, Newfoundland and Labrador have reported a worrying decline in the value of the province's seafood industry.
The total value of the province’s seafood industry declined by nearly 22 per cent in 2009 down to a total value of $827-million.
The annual Seafood Industry Year in Review publication was released recently by the Fisheries Minister Clyde Jackman, who said the recession was to blame for much of the decline. He also said that a strong Canadian dollars relative to the US dollar was another factor in producing lower returns for both fishermen and processors.
“Clearly, 2009 was a difficult year in the province’s fishing industry,” Mr Jackman said. “Seafood prices were very much impacted by the global economic conditions, which contributed to lower demand for seafood products.
“There were depressed prices for key species such as snow crab, shrimp and lobster. Yet we are very encouraged by the performance in the aquaculture industry. Notwithstanding exchange rates, there are low inventories for crab and shrimp going into the 2010 season and light ice conditions. Therefore, we are hopeful of a better performance in 2010.”
Mr Jackman noted that aquaculture production rose 18 per cent and market value for aquaculture products increased by 45.9 per cent to $92 million in 2009, due primarily to strong prices for Atlantic salmon and trout. Mr Jackman reported that aquaculture production rose 18 per cent and market value for aquaculture products increased by 45.9 per cent to $92 million in 2009, due primarily to strong prices for Atlantic salmon and trout.
The decline has also had a major impact on employment in the province's employment in the fishing industry which has fallen by 14 per cent.
Should fisheries be closed during breeding time to allow stocks to reach more sustainable levels?
