Legislative_Assembly ..

Thursday, March 14, 1968

Leo F..Rossiter: Mr. Speaker, when we adjourned the Debate last evening we were discussing some of the items in the Draft Address, I would like to continue.

. With regard to paragraph fifteen in this document. “My Government had re- cognized the need for expanded and continued operation of navigational schools and fisheries schools.”

Mr. Speaker, I am all for it, for this type of courses but I understand that there are very few fishermen taking these courses, that the course has mostly been filled by people on carferries and other types of work. Of course they should have an opportunity to do this. I think fishermen should be encouraged to take these courses and upgrade as much as possible their education in the field of navigation. Yester- day the Minister of Fisheries spoke and saw fit to set forth a tirade of abuse on the former government, and me in particular. He didn’t seem to get around to dis- cussing any particular phases of his Department or any policies which he expects to implement in the forthcoming year. I submit, Mr. Speaker, that this Minister should have outlined in detail the policies of his government for the incoming year.

In the election promises made in 1966, “Fisheries must be improved and ex- panded” he said. Now has the existing been improved and expanded? He has done nothing to improve or expand them—all he did was close down the few plants we did have—and has no policy whatsoever with regard to the fisheries program in this province.

We have a very vital fishery, the oyster fishery that this government has done absolutely nothing to assist or encourage oyster fishermen to go into the business or give them any assistance in buying of spat to replant their leases. The oyster fishery in this Province is depleting at a very rapid rate, and as a matter of fact at a rate which is becoming very alarming to those in the business for various reasons. One of course is pollution, and I understand that the Department of Muni- cipal Affairs are working with the, in conjunction with ADB to overcome some of the pollution problems. I think this should be given top priority. We do not have any great pollution problem here in Prince Edward Island, and other provinces cer- tainly envy us in this regard, and any steps that could be taken by the government to hinder pollution would be all to the good, the best advantage of the fishing in- dustry. It is easier to prevent it then to cure it after it occurs. It takes thousands, hundreds of thousands of dollars, up in the millions of dollars to cure pollution once it has a foothold in any great body of water. Other provinces, Ontario and Quebec, are very alarmed about the pollution problem and some of the fisheries are being obliterated because the pollution has not been looked at a number of years ago and steps taken then to curb it.

Another fishery we have is the herring fishery. The Gulf is full of herring and there doesn't seem to be anything done to encourage anyone to catch and pro- cess this type of fish. Last year there was money voted for experimental purposes for the crab industry.

Hon. Robert E. Campbell: What about shrimp? Leo Rossiter: No shrimps here that I know of anyway.

I understand that there has been quite an experiment taking place in regard to the crab fishery with some success and I trust that they will follow along ano- ther year to exploit further this industry and pass the information along and assist packers and fishermen to be able to participate in this fishery if we can develop markets for it.

Paragraph 33. I notice that the increase in the 1966-67 season Prince Edward Island landings, “the tonnage increase more than 8%, bringing in a total of 91.9 million pounds of products. The landed value for this sea product has also increased more than 25% reaching a landed value of $8.17 millions.”

I was wondering if this included the Irish Moss industry? This is a very im- portant industry and has become a real money maker for those who participate in

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