OTTAWA, ONTARIO–( EMWNews – April 2, 2008) – The Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today issued the following statement:

The tragic capsizing of L’Acadien II and the loss of life in the Gulf of St. Lawrence has touched us all.

I spoke earlier today with the family of Carl Aucoin, as well as Mayor Arseneau, and personally expressed my sympathies. I also let them know that we will be recommencing our efforts to find and bring home Mr. Aucoin.

At the request of the Transportation Safety Board, we will also attempt to recover L’Acadien II to assist the Board with its investigation.

Operational details are being finalized and the recovery efforts will get under way as early as possible.