Qalipu, Barry Group moving forward with feds on redfish processing
'I've never been as pumped about the recovery of a particular stock in all my entire life.'
A partnership between Barry Group Inc. and the Qalipu First Nation could bring a new fishing opportunity to the province's west coast.
The two groups are in talks with the federal government to start processing redfish — also known as ocean perch — in Benoit's Cove, they announced on Monday.
"Every detail is not worked out and every 'i' is not crossed," said Bill Barry, "but there is a big deal here. A gigantic deal from a resource perspective."
Redfish are considered an "at-risk" species by the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
But Barry said the species has made a comeback in recent years, with a possibility for a catch of 5 million tonnes by 2020.
"We have fisherman, plant workers and communities that depend on all these things for our future," Barry said of the hopeful deal. "And the future of this resource, just on this stock alone, is a 30-35 year deal.
"I've never been as pumped about the recovery of a particular stock in all my entire life."
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In his speech Monday, Barry committed to spending $20 million over the next "two, three years to rebuild" two ocean perch plants.
The second plant could be located in Port aux Basques, according to a joint press release by Barry Group Inc. and the Qalipu band.
According to the same release, the "scale of this resource is unprecedented in Canadian history."
The species has been fished in the Gulf of St. Lawrence for decades, and has seen an increase in stock since 2000.
According to the Qalipu and Barry Group Inc., there is now a "fully recovered ocean perch resource adjacent to our shores."
The band will administer licences and quotas, while Barry Group Inc. will operate the processing plants.
"Fishing has long been an important part of our culture in this province, a mainstay of our traditional way of life," said Chief Brendan Mitchell.
"We look forward to the promise of economic benefits to our region as well as employment opportunities for indigenous people and communities."
With files from Colleen Connors