Liberals Call on Federal Government to Stop Neglecting Lobster Fishers

May 30, 2013

OTTAWA– Liberal Fisheries and Oceans critic Lawrence MacAulay sent the following letter to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans regarding the crisis in Atlantic Canada’s lobster fishery:

The Hon. Keith Ashfield, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway
Room 107, Confederation Building
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0A6

Dear Minister:

I am writing with regard to the current crisis in the lobster fishery and the extremely low prices being offered to Prince Edward Island lobster fishers, as well as fishers across the Atlantic region.

The prices being offered for catches are obviously far too low for fishers to accept and still make any kind of profit to live and support their families. The industry is presently in a state of crisis with boats having been tied up across Atlantic Canada for several days. I respectfully ask that you, as the federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, take a proactive role in helping to rectify this most serious situation, as opposed to the government’s current hands-off approach.

As you know, the P.E.I. provincial government has asked former Auditor General Colin Younker to look into this matter, and the Maritime provincial fisheries ministers have convened an independent interprovincial panel to examine factors affecting lobster prices. Noticeably absent in this crisis situation, however, is the federal government.

As you are aware, it is the federal government which is responsible for the management of our fisheries and opening up new international markets for our seafood products. As well, it is the federal government which has brought in the Atlantic Lobster Sustainability Measures, in order to support economic prosperity by helping set the conditions for commercial success in the lobster fishery, and marketing programs through the Community Adjustment Fund.

To that end, no possible argument can be given that your responsibility ends when lobster hits the wharf. Your government has quite obviously taken measures over the past few years with regard to lobster, so I fail to see why you neglect to take any action now, when our industry and our lobster fishers are in crisis.

Mr. Minister, your absence is duly noted by every single person involved in the lobster industry. I ask that you provide leadership on this file and take any necessary measures within your power to help fix this crisis. I also request that you encourage Conservative MPs, who hold the majority on the House of Commons Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans, to permit a thorough study of the situation.

Thank you for your attention to this matter and I look forward to your timely response.

Sincerely,

The Hon. Lawrence MacAulay, P.C., M.P.
Cardigan
Liberal Fisheries and Oceans critic