In meetings with DFO officials fish harvesters have expressed their feelings to them that given their observations, a slight increase in the cod quota in 3Ps from 13,000 metric tons (MT) to 14,500 MT was justified. Kim Penney, a groundfish staff officer with DFO, told that while DFO officials listen to fish harvesters, they also have to consider information and advice provided by science as well.
According to Penny the DFO has taken the advice of fish harvesters into consideration but the latest science assessment indicated that there was no appreciable difference in recruitment in the cod stock from the previous year. She added that there should be cautious approach to conserve all groundfish stocks for the future.
Mildred Skinner, a fish harvester in Harbour Breton, informed the decision is frustrating as DFO will say they want a ‘shared stewardship’ with fish harvesters.” She said that DFO does not have enough science information to base their most recent decision on. She also informed that fish harvesters are losing crew members because they don’t have enough quotas to justify keeping them. Young people are leaving the fishery in droves, and this will be more of a problem in the future.
Jeff Roberts, a fish harvester in Hermitage, is an inshore council member of the FFAW/CAW and represents fish harvesters from Rencontre East to Burgeo. According to him with the ever-increasing price of fuel and other operating expenses it is harder to maintain a fishing operation each year. With no increase in cod to help offset the cost in rising expenses, well, it’s tough to keep going at this.
