Stephan Burnett
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Sep 08/03) - Further developing Nunavut's fishery and establishing fair fishing quotas within Nunavut's adjacent waters are issues which are coming to the fore once again.

This fall, the federal Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans will conduct a special study on quota allocations and benefits to Northern fishers.

Receiving parity to the other ocean-bearing provinces for adjacent-water fishing quotas will go a long way to creating the right climate for investment, says Olayuk Akesuk, Nunavut minister of Sustainable Development.

"I think what we want to do is to let them know, in the fishing industry, the government of Nunavut is serious," said Akesuk.

The Baffin Fisheries Coalition was formed a few years ago and they are looking at the possibility of acquiring fishing vessels.

"Our role is to assist industry in being successful, said Akesuk.

Industrial fishing vessels doesn't come cheap, pricing in at $15-20 million, said Akesuk. Akesuk says the government of Nunavut is looking for 85 to 90 per cent of the fishing quota in their adjacent waters -- on par with other ocean-bearing provinces.

"We want them to give us the maximum quota and let them know this is what we'd do and it's up to us to send the message," said Akesuk.

Senator Gerald Comeau, chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans, said the more attention that is placed on Nunavut's desire for fishing quota parity, the more likely it may become a reality.

"We want to look at this again to ask what would be the numbers needed to get investment in the vessels," said Comeau.

"The government of Nunavut is very anxious to get moving and create some jobs, especially for their younger people. This is one of the ways for doing it and we're going to help them in any way we can," said Comeau.