ALBERTON
Prince Edward Island’s new minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Robert Henderson, assured members of the Western Gulf Fishermen’s Association during their annual meeting on Monday that he understands the challenges and the importance of their fishing sectors.
He said he has more than a basic knowledge of the sector and a background in aquaculture.
Henderson told the approximately 50 fishermen in attendance that the Prince Edward Island economy “has been doing pretty good in recent years,” and said much of the credit for that is due to the success of farming, fishing and tourism operations.
Referring to his previous portfolio as Minister of Health, he said he sees the importance of wealth generation to help fund government services such as health care.
http://www.journalpioneer.com/news/henderson-hands-off-the-health-care-football-176141/
He reported on the recently signed Atlantic Fisheries Fund, which he says represents a $37 million investment into the fishery over the next seven years. He said he would be looking forward to unique ways to spend the investment to maximize the benefit of wealth creation and conservation.
Henderson, who received acknowledgement from Ian MacPherson, managing director of the P.E.I. Fishermen’s Association for referring to his portfolio during the meeting as Fisheries and Agriculture, said it is really important to make sure the seafood industry is as prominent as it can be.
