Qalipu, Barry Group moving forward with feds on redfish processing

A partnership between Barry Group Inc. and the Qalipu First Nation could bring a new fishing opportunity to the province's west coast.

The two groups are in talks with the federal government to start processing redfishalso known as ocean perch in Benoit's Cove, they announced on Monday.

"Every detail is not worked out and every 'i'is not crossed," said Bill Barry, "but there is a big deal here. A gigantic deal from a resource perspective."

Redfish are considered an "at-risk" species by the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

But Barry said the species has made a comeback in recent years, with a possibility for a catch of 5 million tonnesby 2020.

"We have fisherman, plant workers and communities that depend on all these things for our future," Barry said of the hopeful deal."And the future of this resource,just on this stock alone, is a 30-35 year deal.

"I've never been as pumped about the recovery of a particular stock in all my entire life."

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In his speech Monday, Barry committed to spending $20 million over the next "two, three yearsto rebuild" two ocean perch plants.

Thesecond plant could be located in Port aux Basques, according to a joint press release by Barry Group Inc. and the Qalipuband.

According to the same release, the "scale of this resource is unprecedented in Canadian history."

Thespecies has been fished in the Gulf of St. Lawrence for decades, and has seen an increase in stock since 2000.

According to the Qalipu and Barry Group Inc.,there is now a "fully recovered ocean perch resource adjacent to our shores."

The band will administer licences and quotas,while Barry Group Inc. will operatethe processing plants.

"Fishing has long been an important part of our culture in this province, a mainstay of our traditional way of life," said ChiefBrendan Mitchell.

"We look forward to the promise of economic benefits to our region as well as employment opportunities for indigenous people and communities."