The Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, just returned from meetings in Ottawa on this issue. The meetings were with the Atlantic Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers (ACFAM), which includes federal Minister Gail Shea, the other Atlantic Canadian fisheries ministers and the minister from Quebec.
“I brought forward the idea of implementing programs that are based on regional needs and the federal representatives were receptive to this,” said Minister Hedderson. “This is important because we are faced with unique circumstances in our lobster fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador. While we have only five per cent of the Atlantic Canadian lobster in terms of value, we have 30 per cent of the licences in this province. Incomes are extremely low in the lobster fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador. Rationalization will have to be an important component of addressing any issues in the provincial lobster fishery. We simply have to get the number of lobster licences down.”
The ACFAM met briefly with the leaders of three of the federal parties, Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Michael Ignatieff and Jack Layton. They also met with the Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of International Trade, the Atlantic Conservative Caucus and the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans. The ACFAM also participated in a launch event for an Atlantic lobster promotional program, which included 300 participants.
“There is still a lot of work to be done,” said Minister Hedderson. “While the Federal Government has pledged a total of $75 million there are still many questions that have to be answered. Criteria to qualify for aid still need to be set and our government encourages the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans to do this as quickly as possible.”
At present, the Federal Government has allocated $15 million to be administered through Services Canada for those in immediate need. Another $10 million will be administered by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency for marketing and promotion. Finally, $50 million will be administered by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to address issues in the lobster fishery over the long-term.
“My department will work with industry to develop proposals and submit them to the Federal Government in relation to the programs that will be needed to address the challenges of reducing the number of licences,” said Minister Hedderson. “I have directed my officials to meet with the industry regarding this matter in the near future.”
Representations were also made on Employment Insurance during the meetings. However, the Federal Government in no way seemed receptive to addressing the problems in the lobster fishery through this program, the minister noted.
“While it is recognized that the $75 million allocated is a small amount to address all of the challenges facing the Atlantic lobster fishery, my department will now be working with the Federal Government to achieve the best value we can for the funding that is available,” said Minister Hedderson. “Our government will also work with industry representatives to leverage maximum value for the programs that are available.”
