Fisheries and Aquaculture
March 30, 2016
Seeking Fairness in Northern Shrimp Allocations
All-Party Committee is Encouraged by Federal Announcement on Suspending LIFO Policy
Newfoundland and Labrador’s All-Party Committee on Northern Shrimp Allocations is encouraged by the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) notice to the Northern Shrimp Advisory Committee yesterday. DFO announced it is suspending its “last in, first out” (LIFO) policy while the LIFO review is ongoing.
“This announcement indicates that the Honourable Hunter Tootoo, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, along with our regional minister, the Honourable Judy Foote, Minister of Public Services and Procurement, and our Newfoundland and Labrador MPs are giving the future of our shrimp industry the careful consideration it deserves. While this is a step in the right direction, we continue to ask for an allocation policy which is fair to both the inshore and offshore sectors and based on adjacency and historical attachment. The completion of this review by DFO is essential as is a timely decision on Northern shrimp allocations.”
- The Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture
DFO has indicated that there will be no fishing in Shrimp Fishing Area (SFA) 6 until the review is complete. In addition, the Federal Government announced 50 per cent of last year’s allocation for SFAs 4 and 5. This will allow the offshore fishery to continue while the review is ongoing.
The all-party committee remains united in its view that LIFO should be eliminated and that the review should provide alternatives which are fair for inshore and offshore sectors and that management decisions are made based on the best available scientific information.
“This review is long overdue but is an essential first step in assessing the future sustainability of the Northern shrimp industry in Newfoundland and Labrador. There has still been no commitment by the Federal Government to commit to fishery science at a level which would allow informed fishery policy taking into account all species in the ecosystem. This review needs to be completed quickly by individuals truly representative of the industry and our communities.”
- Kevin Parsons, Member All-Party Committee and MHA for Cape St. Francis
The review should be undertaken as quickly as possible to minimize the impacts to the people living in Newfoundland and Labrador who depend upon the shrimp fishery for their livelihoods. A number of stakeholder consultations will be conducted throughout the province as part of the review.
"The inshore shrimp fishery is critical to the socio-economic fabric of coastal communities. That's why the all-party committee has asked DFO for an opportunity for input into the Terms of Reference for the LIFO review before it is finalized."
- Lorraine Michael, Parliamentary Leader of the New Democratic Party and MHA for St. John's East - Quidi Vidi
The all-party committee has asked DFO for a copy of the Terms of Reference for the LIFO review prior to it being finalized.
QUICK FACTS
- DFO has provided notice to the Northern Shrimp Advisory Committee that it is suspending its LIFO policy and fishing in SFA 6 while a review of the policy is ongoing. In addition, it is providing 50 per cent of the previous year’s allocation in SFAs 4 and 5.
- Newfoundland and Labrador’s All-Party Committee on Northern Shrimp Allocations is encouraged by the Federal Government’s decision to suspend LIFO but continues to advocate that LIFO should be eliminated.
- The all-party committee has asked DFO for a copy of the Terms of Reference for the LIFO review prior to it being finalized.
- The all-party committee supports the timely completion of the review.
- The resulting allocation policy should be fair to both the inshore and offshore sectors and based on adjacency (i.e. Labrador) and historical attachment.
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Media contacts:
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Vanessa Colman-Sadd Director of Communications Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture 709-729-3733, 682-6593 vanessacolmansadd@gov.nl.ca |
Heather MacLean Director of Communications Office of the Official Opposition 709-729-6105, 725-5204 heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca |
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Jean Graham Director of Communications New Democratic Party Caucus Office 709-729-2137, 709-693-9172 jeangraham@gov.nl.ca |
2016 03 30 2:25 p.m.