Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the fishery in the Baffin region both offshore and the commercial char fishery has been growing considerably over the past ten years. We now have several commercial fishermen and a modern fish plant in Pangnirtung. The Kikitalik Corporation has successfully prosecuted the offshore turbot and shrimp fishery for some time now. This has helped create new jobs and provided extra income to many residents of the Baffin.

Mr. Speaker, the Baffin fishery is a good news story and something that we should continue to develop and support. On October 7th through 9th, the Baffin Regional Chamber of Commerce coordinated a conference on the fishery sponsored by Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development and held in Iqaluit. There were over 31 participants from ten Baffin communities able to attend. The conference's aim was to help develop a framework for a Baffin fishing strategy and create a Baffin fishing industry organization. The need for more community infrastructure particularly freezers, the need for air connections that will facilitate the shipping of fish, the issue of the percentage of fish allocated to the Nunavut region by federal authorities and cooperation between communities was stressed. An interim board for the new Baffin Fishery Council was appointed. This board was mandated with getting the organization registered and up and running before the first official board is elected which should occur around March, 1998. The conference was a major accomplishment in this important industry and for the economy of the Baffin region especially in some of the smaller communities where fishing is the major income source available.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the Baffin Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development office, the coordinators of the Baffin Regional Chamber of Commerce and the participants for being proactive in helping foster the development of this important renewable resource. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.