Fisheries and Aquaculture
April 2, 2009Federal Shrimp
and Seal Quotas Create Uncertainty
and Undermine Existing Participants
The recently announced decisions of the federal
Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) on shrimp and seal quotas are
serving to create uncertainty in the industry and undermine existing
participants, says the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Fisheries
and Aquaculture.
"The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has
serious concerns regarding the increases in the shrimp quota allocations
that were announced for Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.) and Nova Scotia in
the federal 2009 Gulf of St. Lawrence Shrimp Management Plan," said
Minister Hedderson. "As well, our government was very upset to learn
that the increase in the harp seal total allowable catch (TAC) of 5,000
was allocated entirely to sealers from Quebec. Both of these allocations
were contrary to advice from the federal department�s own industry
advisory committees".
"This is a disconcerting pattern that is emerging in
federal allocations," said the minister. "It seems that quota decisions
are being made on the basis of political considerations related to the
federal minister�s own province, rather than the long-term interest of
the industry. These decisions on shrimp and seals set dangerous
precedents for the Atlantic fishery at a time when we are experiencing
unprecedented volatility."
Neither P.E.I. nor Nova Scotia has had a shrimp fleet
operating in the gulf shrimp fishery, yet those provinces have received
a shrimp quota increase. Newfoundland and Labrador will also see a
slight increase in quota. However, this province will actually
experience a decrease in the overall share of the quota. This is despite
the fact that PEI and Nova Scotia have no historic dependence on this
resource. The P.E.I. and Nova Scotia allocation will each increase from
263 tonnes to 426 tonnes.
"In the context of the global economic crisis, there
are difficulties facing the existing fleet," said Minister Hedderson.
"It is problematic to increase the quota and then allocate it to
constituent industry groups that have never had a fleet before, at a
time when the existing industry is facing so much uncertainty."
There was a meeting of the Federal Government�s gulf
shrimp advisory committee on February 12 of this year. There was general
agreement of the committee to maintain the status quo on the TAC in the
gulf shrimp fishery. The committee is made up representatives from the
Atlantic Provinces, Quebec and DFO.
"The decision to ignore the recommendation of the
industry advisory committee lacks transparency and threatens the
stability of the industry at a time when stability is critical, in light
of the global economic crisis," said Minister Hedderson. "It is
difficult to understand why the quota would be changed after
understandings were reached with industry stakeholders."
As well, a total of 3,500 seals have been added to the
Magdalen Island quota and 1,500 have been added to the Quebec north
shore quota, along the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Sealers in Newfoundland and
Labrador have not received an increase. This increase in the total
harvest was not requested by industry and its allocation to one
jurisdiction is without any justification. The gulf seal harvest always
takes place weeks prior to the sealing harvest on the Front in
Newfoundland and Labrador, giving Quebec sealers the best opportunity to
sell their seal products. These increases in Quebec mean that additional
seals harvested by Quebec sealers will further reduce the potential for
sales for sealers in Newfoundland and Labrador.
"Unfortunately, the federal minister was unavailable
to meet with me while I was in Ottawa this week, despite my request for
a meeting," said Minister Hedderson. "I have written to Minister Shea
and requested that no further allocation decisions or announcements be
made until there is an emergency meeting of the Eastern Canadian
fisheries ministers. I continue to await her response."
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Media contact:
Lori Lee Oates
Director of Communications
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
709-729-3733, 690-8403
oatesll@gov.nl.ca
2009 04 02
3:25 p.m.