New markets, infrastructure needed to bolster Nunavut fisheries: Minister

Federal Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson speaks Friday at a news conference in Iqaluit. (Photo by Jeff Pelletier)

Hindered by a lack of ports and the impact of tariffs, Community Services Minister David Akeegok says new infrastructure and export markets are needed to bolster Nunavut’s fisheries industry.

Akeeagok made the comments Friday during a news conference at the Aqsarniit hotel in Iqaluit alongside federal Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson.

The two ministers had just concluded chairing the annual meeting of the Canadian Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers, a collective representing all 13 territories and provinces.

The long list of meeting topics included trade. A “majority” of Nunavut’s fishing products go to countries in Asia, Akeeagok said.

“China has put a 25 per cent tariff on our fisheries,” he said, emphasizing the need to think domestically.

“Those were very informative discussions together in terms of how can we help the fishing industry.”

On the topic on infrastructure, Akeeagok noted that Nunavut’s fisheries lack ports where anglers can offload their catch. Fisheries in Nunavut often have to rely on ports in eastern Canada and Greenland to land and offload.

The Qikiqtarjuaq deepsea port, one of four nation-building projects being touted by both the Government of Nunavut and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., could benefit the fishing industry, Akeeagok said.

However, the $200-million proposed project needs federal funding.

“There are some federal dollars that are available to help advance this thing,” Akeeagok said.

“Qikiqtarjuaq port is a fine example, because right now our fishing industry are fishing out there but they’re not landing in Nunavut and it’s something that we desperately need here.”

Thompson didn’t make any concrete commitments to providing that funding. But she did say her government, under Prime Minister Mark Carney, is prioritizing support for major projects.

“We live in historic times,” Thompson said.

“Part of growing this country, which is expanding our own productivity, is having the points of entry and exit, and this is part of that. But again, I want to stress that things happen with the co-operation of the people in the region.”

Overall, both ministers described the discussions as being positive and informative.

“By sharing best practices, upholding environmental standards, and investing in innovative technologies, I believe Canada can become a global leader in the next generation of aquaculture production,” Thompson said.