Ronnie Caissie, president of P.E.I. Fishermen’s Association, has stepped down this Friday October 17 after being charged with having illegal undersized lobsters aboard his vessel. Addressing a meeting of the association’s board of directors on Friday the Egmont Bay fisherman voluntarily resigned his post and will be replaced by first vice-president Kenny Drake of Morell.
It is informed that Drake will remain president until the annual general meeting of the association next March. Ed Frenette, executive director of the PEIFA, told that Caissie was charged by Federal Fisheries officers under section 57 of the Canadian Fisheries Act, and will appear in court on Nov. 12. He also said that this is a difficult situation for everybody.
According to Ed Frenette there is no doubt that the association is fully opposed to the landing of undersized lobsters regardless of who does it. He added that at this juncture the charges are only allegations and the association is unable to take any position until guilt or innocence is proven. The local news source revealed that the case of Caissie is not the only ones to have been laid during the fall fishing season. The officials with DFO have confirmed that they have dealt with 10 to 12 alleged violations related to fishing in closed areas and possession of undersized lobsters.
