This season’s shrimp fishery continues to be in jeopardy and something must be done to protect the thousands of people directly and indirectly tied to this sector of our economy other than make work programs,  says Opposition Leader Yvonne Jones.

Jones is challenging government to bring forward an inventory financing cap subsidy that would allow both processors and harvesters to continue fishing for a reasonable price. Any shrimp that cannot be sold in the marketplace for the agreed upon industry price, government would subsidize the processing sector for the loss associated with being forced to sell it for less.

“I want to extend my support to the thousands of fishery workers who are struggling this year,” said Ms. Jones. “Government has already suggested that they would be willing to establish income support projects to help displaced workers if the shrimp season is lost. Instead of throwing millions of dollars in a pot to help displaced workers, why not direct this money into an industry subsidy that ensures that the fishery takes place and everyone can continue to work. This industry is worth hundreds of millions of dollars and government cannot just roll over and allow the fishery to be idled without every solution being explored.”

There are 13 shrimp plants and licenses in the province being controlled by five processors. While government continues to invest money into such things are equity positions in the oil and gas sector, fishery workers continue to watch their livelihoods become negatively impacted. A short-term subsidy by government could help save the industry and avoid make work projects.