The following statement was issued today by the Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources.

‘I wish to extend my sincere condolences to the families of the fishermen from St. Lawrence lost at sea this week while aboard the fishing vessel Sarah Anne.

This latest tragedy in the fishery’s storied history is a stark reminder that the men and women who engage in a life on the water, in support of their families and communities, do so by putting their lives at risk. Their work requires courage and resolve every time they leave the safety of the harbour and embark to make a difficult living from an unforgiving sea.

In this most trying of times, the entire province is watching the profound suffering of a community and its families struggling with the sudden loss of loved ones.  St. Lawrence is regarded for its ability to rebound from adversity and I am confident the residents of this tight-knit community will rally to support the impacted families and each other.  Rest assured our thoughts and prayers are with you as you embark to recover from this senseless tragedy.

I also wish to thank the Canadian Coast Guard and all those that have been supporting ongoing search efforts during this difficult time.’

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Craig Renouf
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