Canadian fishing industry has delivered a message to Fisheries Minister Gail Shea saying that more than 80 percent of what they produce is exported; and most of their exports go to the US. So the health of the Canadian fishing industry depends on a healthy American and larger world economy. It is mentioned that as the US is largely affected by this recession there is a risk demand and prices for Canada’s high quality fisheries products will drop to unsustainable levels.
According to Earle McCurdy, spokesperson for the industry groups, the price for lobster, Canada’s most valuable fishery export, is now 35 percent lower than at this time last year; well below even minimal returns on investment for fishermen. He means that the US and global recessions is a crisis for coastal Canada.
McCurdy said that most coastal communities are one-industry towns where the fishery is the main employer just like towns where the automobile or forestry industries dominate. The ad-hoc group of Canada’s main fishing fleets is calling on the government to immediately launch a series of pre-budget consultations to get input on the priorities for government action for the fisheries.
