News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – A three-member independent panel has been named to examine the factors affecting lobster prices in Atlantic Canada.

Fisheries ministers from the Maritime provinces made this announcement today at their latest meeting to discuss the lobster industry.

"The panel has been given a clear mandate to look at the common factors affecting the East Coast fisheries while acknowledging the differences among the provinces and within each province," said Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries Minister Michael Olscamp.

The panel is made up of a representative from each province:
 
●    New Brunswick: Gilles Thériault, a long-time fishing consultant;
●    Nova Scotia: John Hanlon, a retired area manager with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans in the Gulf region of Nova Scotia; and
●    Prince Edward Island: Lewie Creed, a former provincial deputy minister of fisheries and aquaculture.
 
The ministers made a commitment to create the panel earlier this month during an initial meeting to discuss lobster prices. They also agreed to working collectively on marketing initiatives as well as reaching out to their counterparts in Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, Maine and the federal government. The ministers are looking forward to receiving the panel’s report, expected in September.

"The Maritime provinces have been working collaboratively to develop new markets for our seafood exports, and we are starting to see the results with increasing demand for our lobster and seafood products overseas," said Sterling Belliveau, minister of fisheries and aquaculture, Nova Scotia. "However, there are challenges facing the industry that must be addressed by everyone involved to protect this more-than-$1 billion-industry and its independent fish harvesters."

“The naming of this panel is a positive step forward in addressing the challenges facing the lobster industry,” said Ron MacKinely, minister of fisheries, aquaculture and rural development, Prince Edward Island. “As provincial governments, we are committed to supporting industry development.”