Newfoundland and Labrador to Enter New Era of Fisheries Science Research

New funding was announced today for the establishment of a Centre for Fisheries Ecosystems Research at the Marine Institute

Friday, July 2, 2010

Premier Danny Williams made the announcement at a news conference along with the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Dr. Gary Kachanoski, president and vice-chancellor of Memorial University, Glenn Blackwood, executive director of the Fisheries and Marine Institute, Glenn Janes, chief executive officer of the Research and Development Corporation.

Having relied for decades upon the research of the Federal Government and others, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador today announced substantial investments which will significantly expand long-term fisheries science capabilities for the province. Included in the $14 million announcement by the Honourable Danny Williams, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, is $5.25 million to charter an offshore fisheries research vessel. This marks the first time in Newfoundland and Labrador's history that the province will solely fund and deploy a fisheries science vessel.

In addition, the Provincial Government will invest in a suite of new fisheries science research programs, including the establishment of a new Centre for Fisheries Ecosystems Research. The province will work with Memorial University and its Fisheries and Marine Institute to develop and implement these programs.

Premier Williams made the announcement today at the Fisheries and Marine Institute, and was joined by the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Dr. Gary Kachanoski, president and vice-chancellor of Memorial University, Glenn Blackwood, executive director of the Fisheries and Marine Institute, Glenn Janes, chief executive officer of the Research & Development Corporation (RDC), Robert Verge, managing director of the Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation (CCFI), and Dr. George Rose, well-known fisheries research scientist from the Marine Institute.

"Eighteen years ago today, our province was forever changed by the implementation of the moratorium on Northern cod," said Premier Williams. "On this anniversary, our government is announcing investments that will serve to once again change the face of the fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador, but this time in a much more positive and forward thinking direction. No longer will we exclusively rely upon the research of others to guide the fishery into the future. Today, we once again take control of our destiny by investing in our own fisheries research and development. Our government recognized the importance of R&D when we established the Research & Development Corporation, and today we take it to the next level by investing in the industry that has sustained us as a people for more than 500 years. These investments will help provide the knowledge, capacity and expertise necessary to ensure a vibrant, sustainable fishery well into the future."

Arrangements have already been made to secure the RV Celtic Explorer from the Marine Institute in Ireland for a Northern cod winter acoustic survey in early 2011. The RV Celtic Explorer is a 65-metre state-of-the-art fisheries research vessel, capable of conducting offshore acoustic surveys and other oceanographic work throughout the year in the waters off Newfoundland and Labrador. This is the type of vessel that is required in order to enhance the understanding of the status of commercial fish stocks and the marine environment they live in. Such information will better enable the province's fishing industry to ensure sustainability of fish stocks, which is an increasingly important component of seafood marketing.

The Provincial Government, in consultation with the Marine Institute, is pursuing further charter arrangements. As well, a more permanent vessel arrangement for the centre will be established after the initial charter arrangements are completed.

"The fishing industry is at the heart of the livelihood of the people of rural Newfoundland and Labrador," said Minister Jackman. "Our commitment to the fishing industry has been unwavering with investments such as the Fishing Industry Renewal Strategy, the Memorandum of Understanding with industry and a new oceans strategy. The fishery is a one billion dollar industry that has been in decline in the midst of the current global economic crisis. It is a very important industry to the future of the province and it is critically important to coastal communities. Better fisheries management through better fisheries science is an opportunity to improve and sustain this industry."

From the funding allocated, the Provincial Government will provide $11.75 million to establish the Centre for Fisheries Ecosystem Research, at Memorial University's Fisheries and Marine Institute. This funding will provide $6.5 million toward the human resources and operating costs of the centre, over the next five years. Also, $5.25 million will be used to charter large vessels, such as the RV Celtic Explorer, for offshore research.

Premier Williams announced today that Dr. George Rose will head this new organization. "I am extremely pleased to announce that Dr. George Rose, a Newfoundlander and renowned fisheries scientist, will be the new director of the Centre for Fisheries Ecosystem Research," said Premier Williams. "I have always had the greatest respect for this individual; not only for his knowledge and expertise, but for his passion for this province and I look forward to his continued contributions."

The Provincial Government also announced $2 million to fund CCFI and another $200,000 has been committed for a highly sophisticated inshore fisheries research vessel, the RV Gecho II. This vessel will enable research in coastal bays with unique habitats, inshore spawning and nursery habitats. It will also enable the province to better monitor inshore and offshore species migration.

"This announcement represents a significant stride forward for Memorial University's research effort," said Dr. Kachanoski. "With this support, the university can now direct serious attention to the challenges of understanding the dynamics of the fish stocks off our province's coasts. This is truly a significant milestone for Memorial, the Marine Institute and the province. I am thankful for this support and am confident it will bolster the work of the Marine Institute's School of Fisheries and increase Memorial's presence in these areas of research so vital to the economy of this province."

This new funding will dramatically improve the fisheries science research capabilities in the province and open up opportunities to collaborate with Canadian fisheries scientists, as well as other fisheries research bodies across the globe. This will include fisheries research organizations in Ireland, Iceland, Norway, New Zealand and the United States. As well, this investment will fund a total of 14 positions for research, technology and support staff. In addition, up to 20 fisheries science graduate students will be engaged in this research on an annual basis. This represents a significant increase in research capacity.

"For almost 50 years, the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University has been an unwavering supporter of the fishing industry in Newfoundland and Labrador," said Mr. Blackwood. "The fishery was the driving force behind our creation as a College of Fisheries in 1964 and it will continue to play a major role in the long-term future of this institution and our province. The funding announced here today will allow us to continue to collaborate with industry and governments to build on the capacity that already exists here in the province and ensure that the fishing industry remains a key pillar of sustainable economic development in the province."

One of the major factors in determining the success of the province's fishing industry is the ability to predict shifts in the province's marine ecosystem and the ability to respond to those changes. With the establishment of this new research centre, the province will now be better able to assess fish stocks and advise on how to manage them accordingly.

"This investment in building long-term fisheries science capacity within the province marks a significant milestone," said Mr. Janes. "The RDC is pleased to assist in establishing the Centre for Fisheries Ecosystem Research and housing it at the Marine Institute gives the research undertaken a level of independence that will only enhance its credibility." While the major focus of this research will be on fisheries, to the extent that resources permit, it may also be possible to explore other areas of oceans research and development. For example, it may be possible to engage in seabed mapping for the purposes of developing the province's oil and gas industry.

"The Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation is very pleased to be part of this announcement today," said Mr. Verge. "With the new funding the province is making available to CCFI, we will continue to draw on the capabilities of Memorial University and the Marine Institute in order to help the fishing and aquaculture industries take advantage of opportunities and solve problems. The Provincial Government's investment in CCFI will go directly into leading-edge research and development that will help the industry strengthen its international competitiveness. We are also very pleased with the establishment of the Centre for Fisheries Ecosystem Research. We thank the Provincial Government for its continued forward thinking and investment in research and development. We look forward to working closely with the new centre on joint initiatives."

This new suite of fisheries science research programs will provide an opportunity for the province to better understand fish stocks and the health of the province's marine ecosystem. Changes in crab and shrimp stocks have been a concern for some time, as has the recovery of adjacent groundfish species. There have been serious issues with harp and grey seal populations, as harp seal populations have tripled since the 1970s. It is estimated that seals consume eight times the total harvest of all Canadian seafood. Improved fisheries science capabilities will enable the province to more effectively participate in federal and international fisheries management decision making, related to these issues.

"This initiative by the Williams Government supports a vision of a long-term future for the fisheries of Newfoundland and Labrador," said Dr. Rose. "It is an opportunity to permanently establish fisheries research at Memorial University and turns a whole new page in local research capacities. The initial focus will be on the most important fisheries research questions of the day, which cloud the essential rebuilding of groundfish stocks, in particular those of cod. This research will be locally based and vital to the future of the fisheries and of rural Newfoundland and Labrador. We hope to work closely with other researchers, particularly those at academic and other institutions, and government agencies."