Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the commercial fishing industry, along with the hunting and trapping industries, only occupies about one percent of the NWT's export, but more than half of our population routinely hunts and fishes at least on a part-time basis. These activities generate an estimated $30 million annually in food. Fishing is very important to the well-being of the residents of the Northwest Territories. Wild game can be difficult to access at certain times of the year, but, Mr. Speaker, with about 48 species of freshwater fish, there is always some kind of fish to eat in the winter, spring, summer or fall. Fishing for domestic or commercial purposes is a very important cultural, social and economic activity to many northerners.
I would like to specifically focus on the issue of commercial fishing today. This very important industry is in jeopardy. Besides all the obstacles and hard work associated with being a fisherman, most of the many years of experience and expertise rests with people who are now getting close to retiring. Youth have more options from which to choose today in the NWT and there is little or no incentive to choose the difficult life of a fisherperson.
Commercial fishing is very labour intensive. Fish prices are relatively low. Options for marketing outside the NWT are limited by our federally-legislated marketing corporation. In order to realize a profit and be commercially viable, boats need to be outfitted with modern equipment. Fish processing and handling plants need to be efficient and well managed to support the activities of the fisherman.
Commercial fishing is subsidized by the GNWT, but the subsidies aren't fully accessible because established quotas are not being harvested. Mr. Speaker, this government needs to do everything within its power to support a diversified economy that isn't limited to non-renewable resource development. I know that commercial fishing can be a bigger part of that economy. We need some fresh ideas, some innovative support and a renewed commitment to this industry. Mr. Speaker, later today I will have questions for Minister Bell in this regard. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause