DFO Communiqué
Jume 10, 2009
Federal Government Support to Fishers and Families in the Atlantic Lobster Industry
Note: Click on the left menu for the Communiqué and read the Media articles on the fishermen and the industry's reactions.
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Atlantic Canadian Fisheries Organizations
Issue Joint Call For Government Intervention
in Face of Lobster Market Collapse
Shediac (NB), May 7, 2009 — Fisheries Organizations throughout Atlantic Canada have issued a joint call for provincial and federal fisheries ministers to convene an emergency meeting to deal with the devastating lobster market collapse, which is threatening the survival thousands of small fishing enterprises throughout the Atlantic region. Members of the FFAW/CAW in Newfoundland and Labrador; the Maritime Fishermen’s Union (MFU) in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia; the PEI Fishermen’s Association; the Regroupement des Pêcheurs professionnels du Nord de la Gaspésie in Québec; are urgently calling for the government to intervene in the wake of reports that lobster prices in the days ahead could fall as low as $2.75-$3.50 per pound.
“We are looking at prices that we haven’t seen in 20 to 30 years — this has the potential to destroy the Atlantic lobster fishery, along with the harvesters and communities that depend on it to survive,” said FFAW Secretary Treasurer David Decker. “People don’t seem to realize that lobster is the most important fishery for small enterprises in the less-than-45-foot fleet in rural communities throughout Atlantic Canada. We need to have our governments step in and take immediate steps to help address problems both for now and in the future.”
Christian Brun of the Maritime Fishermen’s Union (MFU) also comments that: “These are historic times… never in recent history have we seen the lobster industry in such an alarming state. And desperate times have also called for historic measures. This is one of the few attempts to join Atlantic Canadian fish harvester organizations for concerted action. We have already discussed unity on many issues… and we all agree on the basic fact that governments have too long ignored the crucial Atlantic Canadian industry and the economic benefits it generates for Canada. This is a sad reality because some great ideas for fundamental structural adjustments of our fisheries have been on the table long before this crisis began and were set aside… We believe this industry has enormous potential in the not-so distant future. Many countries in the world have perceived this great opportunity and have acted: why would our governments not want to participate so the Canadian fishing industry remains competitive on a worldwide scale?” Kay Wallace representing the Gulf Nova Scotia Bonafide Fishermen’s Association says: “The fishing industry in Atlantic Canada is facing an immediate crisis with this season’s severe drop in prices. Lobster fishers spend any profits made in their local communities. With prices so low, they will have no profits; only losses. This will have a direct effect the economies of local communities. This will likely also see recent new entrants forced out of the fishery. Dave Crawford, of the same organization, adds that: “I really don’t know what some fishers will do.”
The Atlantic fisheries organizations want the provincial and federal ministers to work with them to find solutions to help harvesters survive this year, but also to develop a longer term plan to ensure the future viability of the Atlantic lobster industry through improved marketing and rationalization.
Ed Frenette of the PEIFA relays some strong feelings of abandonment as he affirms that: “Three million people in Atlantic Canada are being abused by Steven Harper’s government. It’s time to stand up! It might start with fishermen, but in my view, it could go far beyond that…”
Upcoming meetings of Atlantic fish harvester organizations will concentrate on various options in regards to what action will be taken. In total, approximately 10,000 harvesters are affected by the market collapse, including 3,000 in Nova Scotia, 2,500 in Newfoundland and Labrador; 1,800 in New Brunswick, 1,500 in PEI and 1,000 in Quebec.
For more information:
Bill Broderick
NFFAW
Newfoundland
Tel. : (709) 576-7276
Email: bbroderick@ffaw.nfld.net
Christian Brun
Maritimes Fishermen’s Union (MFU)
New Brunswick and Nova Scotia
Tel. : (506) 532-2485
Email: shediac@mfu-upm.com
Ed Frenette
PEIFA
Prince Edward Island
Tel. : (902) 566-4050
Email: managerpeifa@pei.eastlink.ca
Onil Cloutier
Regroupement des pêcheurs professionnels
du Sud de la Gaspésie
Québec
Tel. : (418) 689-5055
Email: rppsg@globetrotter.net
Kay Wallace
Gulf Nova Scotia Bonafide Fishermen’s Association
Nova Scotia
Tel. : (902) 870-1627
Email: kwallace.gulfnsbfa@ns.aliantzinc.ca
Ron Heighton
Northumberland Fishermen’s Coalition
Nova Scotia
Tel. : (902) 351-2741
Email: ronald.heighton@ns.sympatico.ca
Leonard LeBlanc
Gulf Nova Scotia Fishermen’s Coalition
Nova Scotia
Email: leonard.leblanc2@ns.sympatico.ca
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March 20th, 2009
32nd ANNUAL CONVENTION OF
THE MARITIME FISHERMEN'S UNION (MFU)
The Maritime Fishermen’s Union (MFU) held its 32nd Annual Convention in Moncton at the Ramada Inn (Crystal Palace). The Convention started on Sunday March 22nd at 1:00 pm, and ended on Monday March 23rd in the afternoon.
The theme of this year’s Convention was:
“The lobster industry in crisis:
What is the recipe for survival?”
This theme highlights the seriousness of the situation that is gaining grounds in the lobster industry and how its markets are tormented by the global economic crisis. The lobster harvested by MFU inshore fish harvesters, a luxury product exported for US restaurants and casinos for a large part, is facing the hard hits of a much lowered American consumer demand. The fishing organization will continue its discussions on possible methods to reduce the overall impact for the upcoming fisheries in 2009.
The theme of the Convention has also highlighted the lassitude demonstrated by governments in relation to this crisis. Already by Winter 2008, the MFU had launched a call for urgent action and was seeking government support to avoid a potential catastrophe in 2009. The flagrant lack of effort demonstrated by our governments in order to come up with some form of practical solutions in light of the current crisis, by both Federal and Provincial levels, has generated a growing degree of frustration by lobster fish harvesters.
According to the MFU President, André Martin, : “The absence of concrete measures in support of lobster fishers have left them very worried for the 2009 fisheries. In reality, there was no lack of opportunity to act on the part of both levels of Provincial and Federal government. Stephen Harper’s 2009 Federal budget provoked a feeling abandonment in that it included no support for fish harvesters. The feeling of abandonment continues locally in New Brunswick as the Shawn Graham provincial government demonstrates to what point lobster fish harvesters are excluded from discussion in Fredericton. As a matter of example, Premier Graham has decided to activate a Processing Act in order to rationalise the processing sector, an Act that was launched in the last session of the Lord government without much debate or consultations with fish harvesters. This Act responds in no way to the lobster crisis and has a short-term negative effect for the harvesting sector. It is to be noted that more than 70% of lobster processed in New Brunswick are sourced from outside the Province, which renders the Act almost completely inefficient…
Furthermore, I want to add that the Provincial Fisheries Minister was quite clear in that there would be no help coming from his Department for lobster fish harvesters in crisis.
The « laissez faire » approach of governments show to what extent the lobster fishery, and the fisheries in general, are important in their view and how this industry is not on the agenda of politicians – either locally or nationally. They will affirm having invested in wharves and for marketing – these are not bad things at all for the longer term – but how will this support lobster fishers in their quest to harvest lobster in 2009 in as much as to have them at least cover their operation costs? All of this, quite frankly, I find disturbing… and I encourage lobster fish harvesters to hold their heads up high and say how this is completely unacceptable. »
The 120 delegates of the Maritime Fishermen's Union (MFU) from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia have discussed several issues, the most important of which included discussions, information sessions and workshops on the current crisis in the lobster industry. Other subjects explored touched upon the rationalization of the lobster fleet, herring management issues, eco-labelling, etc.
The MFU was happy to announce that the Federal Fisheries Minister Ms. Gail Shea was the invited Guest Speaker for the event.
For more information:
Christian Brun
Executive Secretary of the MFU
Tel: (506) 532-2485
E-mail: christian@mfu-upm.com
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Renewal of Atlantic Fisheries
An Action Plan for Fleet Rationalization
Atlantic Alliance for Fisheries Renewal
February 10th 2009
The Atlantic Alliance for Fisheries Renewal (AAFR) is comprised of the Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union (FFAW/CAW), the Maritime Fishermen’s Union (MFU), the Alliance des pêcheurs professionnels du Québec (APPQ), the Gulf Nova Scotia Bonafide Fishermen’s Association, the Gulf Nova Scotia Fishermen’s Coalition and the Northumberland Fishermen’s Association.
In the 1990s the Northern Cod Adjustment and Rehabilitation Program (NCARP) and The Atlantic Groundfish Strategy (TAGS) provided income and transition support to help tens of thousands of fish harvesters and plant workers impacted by the groundfish collapse. While they accomplished much, these programs were not successful in “right-sizing” fleets relative to available fish resources.
In recent years the industry -- now centred on lobster, snow crab and shrimp -- has generated record high landed values and export earnings. But overcapacity, rising fuel costs and other factors mean that in some fleets there are many enterprises that are not viable. This situation limits the ability of the industry as a whole to weather the current recessionary pressures, to address emerging market challenges and to achieve conservation objectives.
The AAFR is proposing a comprehensive strategy to rationalize the inshore fishing fleets they represent. The core elements of the strategy are:
• The overall objective is to remove up to one-third of current enterprises from inshore fleets in the three regions to address both enterprise viability and stock rebuilding and sustainability objectives.
• It is proposed that the federal government will invest approximately $233 million over a five-year period in a fund, administered by existing federal agencies, to provide capital, credit and loan guarantees to support fleet rationalization.
• It is proposed that harvester organizations play a central role in designing and implementing restructuring programs at the fleet level to ensure effective pursuit of both viability and resource conservation objectives.
• Fleet organizations would access funds and credit support based on detailed proposals and business plans that meet strict criteria for accountability and effectiveness.
• Industry applicants will be responsible for marshalling one third or more of the investment costs for rationalization plans for particular fleets. They may engage provincial governments and other interests as partners in developing these plans and investment resources.
This proposal presents an historic opportunity to fix longstanding structural problems in the Atlantic fishery. Unlike the NCARP and TAGS approaches, industry organizations want to take the lead in designing programs that will work on the water, and to carry a substantial portion of the investment costs. But industry cannot accomplish this change by itself.
If government does nothing, many enterprises will fail but overcapacity will be perpetuated because their licenses will remain in the industry. If government imposes individual transferable quota (ITQ) regimes, there will be fewer enterprises but viability problems will remain because of the heavy debt loads harvesters take on to buy each other out. In either case the conservation objective will not be served because too many harvesters will continue to operate under severe financial stress.
The AAFR proposal promises major gains for government in terms of conservation, orderly change, future savings to the EI system and stabilization of a key economic sector in Atlantic coastal regions. We are convinced that these potential gains more than justify the anticipated investment levels.
The AAFR members call on the Minister of Fisheries to begin formal consultations with fish harvester organizations and with provincial government partners to develop a detailed implementation plan and to achieve agreement on program objectives and operational mechanisms.
(Click on the left menu for more details or see the 'Special Projects' section)
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2009 Federal Budget:
MFU Fish Harvesters Indignant Over Abandoned Fisheries Industry
Shediac (NB), January 30, 2009 — The Maritime Fishermen’s Union’s (MFU) inshore fish harvesters were anxious, paying attention and were optimistic while Federal officials were unveiling the well awaited Federal budget.
The next morning, things had changed. The optimism was gone and the strident voice of fishers was heard in the MFU office with more vigor than the norm: the frustration is throughout and profound a clear consensus claims that the 2009 Federal budget is an affirmation of systematic abandonment of the fishing industry by Federal decision makers.
Christian Brun, Executive Secretary of the MFU, adds: “It is very clear that those behind the construction of this budget have strategically and deliberately chosen to give just about no importance at all to the fishing industry and to the contribution it makes for the population of hundreds of Atlantic Canadian communities that are dependant on the industry. The fishery generates nearly 50,000 jobs in Atlantic Canada and amounts to assets worth close to $5.5 Billion! ”
For many years, the MFU has participated in good faith and actively in various consultations, fisheries summits, renewal workshops at the Federal and Provincial levels with the hope of achieving practical results, commitments and generating action.
These types of exchanges and processes have for much time now identified the required tools to establish the basic fundamentals in order to ensure the fragile balance of both the viability of inshore fishery participants and the sustainability of the resource for the long term period.
Long term recommendations made by the MFU to the Federal government aimed for structural adjustments to enable inshore fish harvesters, their employees and communities to fully benefit from the enormous growing potential in the future of the fishery.
More specifically, the organization believes that the number of fish harvesters is much too high and this entails a division in too many pieces of the resource pie, each piece of this pie not generating sufficient revenues to maintain a minimum family livelihood. It should be noted that average net revenues for New Brunswick lobster fish harvester fishing operations has remained steady at approximately $10,000 in the last few years according to DFO figures. Since 2002, inshore fish harvesters of the MFU have persisted in their request for commitment from governments for a contribution to the MFU fleet rationalization plan. This latest Federal budget has therefore missed a great opportunity to favourably position the fishing industry before it is too late… In this regard, it might be later that we think… The MFU is preparing its members for what it believes to be nothing less than a worst case scenario for the 2009 lobster fishing season coming up this Spring because of the recent economic instability. The current worldwide recession has the possibility of toppling over the already fragile situation of the lobster fish harvesters of the Gulf of Saint-Lawrence.
The organization thinks that a three way combination of: 1- a fishery highly dependant on consumer of processed products – that have preferred purchasing lower priced fresh lobster, 2- high processed inventories in storage since 2008 and, 3- an international credit crunch that has a direct impact on fishery corporations could all be bound together in one big mess on wharves by May 2009. On this point, M. Brun explains: « Chances are that too much volume of lobster for the market to tolerate will be landed by lobster fleets from other provinces in the Spring of 2009, which will drive the price down and will jeopardize lobster fishers that have been undergoing difficult economic times, such as those in New Brunswick.
Furthermore, stocked processed products are already very high and this combination could drive prices all the way to $2.50 and $3.00 per pound in 2009… Choices that would remain for inshore fishers of the Gulf if this was to happen would be to fish for an important loss, which would result in massive bankruptcies, or, choose to not fish at all, which would render them jobless without access to employment insurance.
I must advise governments to think twice about the realization of this scenario and to imagine the consequences this could have to the rural economies of Atlantic Canada. If this worst case scenario does take place, I’ll be the first to remind all that it could have been avoided with some well chosen investments…”
On this subject, the MFU was at the point of proposing a few options on how to diminish the negative effects of a potential crisis in 2009. These options could have been possible with the introduction of some latitude within existing government programmes – latitude that was not granted in the budget…
In conclusion, M. Brun persists: « Inshore fish harvesters feel cheated by the Federal government and by those elected officials that will remain silent over the abandonment of the fishery. Fishermen sure use the “word of mouth” system very well… and they have a very keen political memory… and they are indignant with their exclusion in this budget that was so crucial for the future of rural coastal Canadians.”
For more information:
Christian Brun
Executive Secretary of the MFU
Tel: (506) 532-2485
E-mail: christian@mfu-upm.com
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Concept Note
NORTHUMBERLAND STRAIT AND SURROUNDING
AREA INSHORE FISHERY
- Renewal And Development Program
Prepared for:
Northumberland Strait Working Group
Alternative Management Models
(Click on the left menu for the document or visit:
http://www.mfu-upm.com/english/index.cfm?id=229)
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Election 2008
Making a commitment to the future of
Canada’s Fishing Communities
1. Fishing’s importance to rural Canada
• Commercial fishing in Canada is a huge industry. Year over year it generates more than $2 billion in landed value and $4 billion in export earnings for the Canadian economy.
• In the Atlantic Provinces in 2006 lobster exports alone surpassed the $1 billion mark, shrimp generated $456 million and crab $426 million.
• British Columbia is often the largest exporting province in value terms because of its salmon (farmed and wild), hake and herring fisheries.
• Manitoba, not usually thought of as a fishing province, generates more than $23 million in annual landed value from its commercial fresh water fisheries
• Commercial fishing is also a huge employer. Our fleets of independently owned and operated boats generate more than 50,000 jobs just in harvesting.
• The lobster fleet’s 9,770 vessels alone support 35,000 harvesting and processing jobs and help make fishing by far the single largest private sector employer in the Atlantic region.
• Nationally our industry’s 22,000 registered commercial fishing vessels also create important employment linkages to other industries (shipbuilding, repair, supply industries, gear manufacturers) that have valuable spin-off effects, create and sustain jobs.
• The most significant thing about our fishing industry, especially in Atlantic Canada, is that it is rurally based providing a source of sustainable jobs and livelihoods in small, often isolated communities where jobs are hard to come by.
• The fishery is especially important for First Nations communities particularly in BC where they have long participated in commercial harvesting and increasingly in the Atlantic.
• The owner-operator fishing industry is important because it is community-based and invests money back into the communities where it was earned. The return to communities of money earned from fishing outstrips any other industry because of its small business, owner-operator foundation.
2. The pressures on our fishing industry
Despite these overall impressive numbers these are tough times for the fishing industry. Like Canada’s other export oriented industries (manufacturing, the auto industry, and forestry) our industry is under pressure.
• The spiralling costs of fuel (50% in the last year) have increased overall operating costs and squeezed already tight margins.
• The strengthening of the Canadian dollar against the US (our principal market and main currency for most of our exports) means that we are earning less and less for our products and becoming more vulnerable to substitutes from lower cost competitors.
• Because of our commitment to sustainable management, we face a host of management, licencing and regulatory costs (dockside monitoring, on-board observers, safety equipment and training) that many of our competitors do not.
• A major shift in some of our main export markets particularly in Europe requiring suppliers to substantiate claims of sustainability is adding new costs and burdens to our industry in the form of eco-labelling, certification and traceability schemes.
• Under these kinds of economic pressures more and more fishing enterprises and some fleets are become less economically viable. In some areas the situation has reached the crisis point. In eastern New Brunswick, for example, the average net income before taxes for the 1,200 inshore harvesters is $8,776.
• Under conditions like this young people are not entering the fishery. Already many fleets face a labour shortage and boats are tying up because of the shortage of qualified crew members. Moreover the traditional form of on-the-job training and mentoring is breaking down as young people are not looking to the fishing industry as a career.
• With the majority of our captains nearing retirement age our industry is facing a crisis in terms of inter-generational renewal. Harvesters seeking to retire are finding few takers to purchase their enterprises which they were counting on to finance their retirement.
• Moreover some government policies are making this situation worse. By promoting market based solutions the government is encouraging individual harvesters to increase their debt load by buying out their neighbours making fishing more expensive and less promising to get into for the next generation.
• In British Columbia these policies have led to a loss of fishing licences and fishing opportunities in coastal communities and aboriginal communities have been particularly hard hit. The irony here is that despite the government’s commitment to help First Nations own and operate commercial fishing enterprises the government’s other fisheries policies are reducing aboriginal participation in the commercial fishery.
3. Working with the fishing industry to restructure, transition and innovate
• Recently the Federal government has stepped in to assist both the auto and forest industries adjust to the new realities of the global economy.
• In the 2008 budget the Federal government created a $250-million Automotive Innovation Fund and in September the Prime Minister announced he would give the Ford Motor Co. up to $80 million in assistance to produce more fuel-efficient engines at a once-mothballed Windsor plant.
• Prior to that the Government of Canada announced a $1.5 billion program to assist the forest-dependent communities in diversifying their economies, by enhancing the skills of forestry-workers, investigating new markets for wood products and developing innovative technologies to support the domestic industry.
• The fishing industry does not have a Ford or a GM or a forest industry giant that dominates production in some communities and can pressure government to assist it through tough times.
• Our industry is mostly made up of small, independently owned and operated businesses. But when our industry gets in trouble the communities that depend on them are also in trouble and the cumulative impact is just as great as job losses are on Oshawa or Windsor.
• Our fishing industry needs a similar commitment from the Federal government.
• What is required is a major Federal government investment program to support innovative, industry-driven ways restructure of our fisheries.
• This program should address three things:
• Special funds and measures to assist the industry in regaining economic viability by restructuring harvesting capacity in areas and communities that are particularly hard it by resource declines and market conditions.
• Measures to assist young people to enter the industry and support retiring harvesters.
• Measures to assist the industry to innovate and adjust to the new demands of the international market place.
For more information:
Christian Brun
Executive Secretary of the MFU
Tel: (506) 532-2485
E-mail: christian@mfu-upm.com
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Survey With Election Candidates:
TOWARDS A VIABLE FISHING INDUSTRY
I- The economic and social importance of the fishery in Atlantic Canada
The Atlantic Canadian fisheries have the following characteristics (2005 data):
• The seafood products industry in Atlantic Canada is worth more than $3 billion in terms of exports;
• The most common species (lobster, Snow crab and shrimp) from the Atlantic fisheries generate landing revenues of more than $1.6 billion;
• The export value associated with lobster in Atlantic Canada only equates to $1,000 million, generated by more than 9,770 boats and results in more than 35,000 jobs in the harvesting and the processing sectors.
II- Current status
In light of recent events in the last few years, the harvesting sector of the fishing industry recognizes the following :
• The Oceans-to-Plate concept is an approach, promoted by Fisheries and Oceans Canada and discussed with industry, that will create challenges to existing fishing exports and have a negative impact on the viability of fish harvesters. This approach may also include some opportunities, but not before industry can overcome the major changes it will bring (eco-labelling, certification, traceability, more powers to retailers, marketing a sustainable fishery, Transport Canada regulations, etc.).
• If industry fails to adapt to Oceans-to-Plate concept, this could have serious negative impacts on fish exports and, therefore, grave consequences on industry viability and on the economy in general.
• While the Atlantic fisheries appears to be healthy in terms of exports and landings, many fishing areas in Atlantic Canada are actually undergoing extremely difficult times, whereas fishing enterprises in these areas are on survival mode and have become vulnerable because of poor landings combined with increased operational costs. More particularly, net profits aimed to support basic family needs have been melting away (e.g. the 1200 multi-species fish harvesters of NB generate approximately $8,776 in net profits before taxes for all of their fishing activities (DFO-2006) and costs have considerably increased since 2006 with stable landings. Other fleets from PEI, NS and Quebec fishing in the adjacent waters of the Northumberland Strait and in the Bay de Chaleur, as well as some regions of Newfoundland, are undergoing similar difficulties).
• The serious economic situation felt by these areas in difficulty are impeding industry participants to progress towards changes linked to Oceans-to-Plate, and also, towards more insurances for sustainability and towards a more responsible fishery;
• Governments have recently proposed regulatory flexibility and industry self-adjustment schemes as a response for the benefit of all areas that are either prosperous or undergoing difficulties. Although the options self-adjustment (enterprise combining etc.) could have some value as an option in more prosperous areas, it is difficult to understand how more debt will be a solution for fish harvesters already on economical survival mode. This type of solution can in some cases become a “rich get richer” approach and is feared to potentially have an impact on the instrumental owner operator and fleet separation policies. Without necessarily eliminating this as an option, other solutions must therefore be proposed for areas undergoing difficulties in the fishery.
• The industry, in its current state, attracts few youth as new entrants. This demographic is unable to afford the considerable investment for participation in the fishery, especially when combined with the perceived pessimism associated with the present level of viability of fishing operations. Lack of interest by potential new entrants is creating a serious problem for a great number of fish harvesters soon approaching retirement. These have banked on the selling of their enterprise as their primary form of retirement revenue.
• For these reasons, the Canadian fishing industry, in its current state, risks substantial paralysis if these tendencies continue.
• Governments have in the last few years invested immeasurable time in consultations and in creating flexibility for industry, without actually investing in fishery-specific measures aimed at ensuring the viability of fishing enterprises. The federal government must uphold the responsibility of its Department of Fisheries and Oceans and make available the appropriate and necessary tools for the adaptation of the industry and also for the viability of areas undergoing serious difficulties.
• Organizations of the harvesting sector of the fishing industry have already demonstrated their commitment to uphold industry responsibility for solutions. These organizations have insisted that additional investments are needed for an industry driven fishery restructuring program in order to create a climate of adaptability for the changes that are yet to come. This program could include such options as self-adjustment mechanisms, but must integrate the crucial option of a rationalization plan for fish harvesters in serious difficulty. Such a program must be supported by Federal government contributions, based on the ultimate goals of viability and resource sustainability. More than anything, well grounded fishing organizations that have done much work representing fish harvesters are requiring a commitment from the new Federal Government to work with them around their proposed plans and to make available the necessary tools to achieve goals.
III- Recommendations
We therefore wish to survey our electoral candidates and their respective parties in order to understand their point of view on the following recommendations :
• The implementation of an important industry driven restructuring program for the Atlantic fishing industry, more specifically, aiming towards the following three development components:
• First, to take actions that would involve important additional investment, amongst others, specifically aimed at the improvement of the viability of fishing enterprises, and more particularly, with the option of a rationalization program for fishing areas in serious difficulty, a program supported by substantive Federal government contributions;
• To take immediate action to ensure a new generation of fish harvesters is able to enter the industry;
• To take immediate action in order to facilitate adaptation to change for the transition towards an Oceans-to-Plate approach.
For more information:
Christian Brun
Executive Secretary of the MFU
Tel: (506) 532-2485
E-mail: christian@mfu-upm.com
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1. Please supply your party’s written policy on the fishing industry to the below indicated address.
2. If your party does not have one, please indicate what your position will be below in the comments section.
3. Please indicate • which statement is most appropriate in your view:
• I commit to take the necessary, immediate and practical actions in order to see the proposed recommendations be implemented, amongst the other enumerated means, in regards to a rationalization program for areas in serious difficulty, in the case of my election in the upcoming federal elections;
• I support the proposed recommendations, but I’m not certain to what extent I will be able to make it happen in practical terms;
• These recommendations are not of great interest to me, because other issues are more important to my region.
Additional comments :
Name of respondent:
Candidate in the following riding:
Please note that a press conference will be organized in order to communicate results to the public in the course of the pre-election period.
The contents of this document have been supported by:
• Maritimes Fishermen’s Union (MFU)
408 Main Street Shediac NB, E4P 2G1 - (NB and NS)
• Gulf NS Bonafide Fishermen’s Association - (NS)
• PEI Fishermen’s Association (PEIFA) - (PEI)
• Le Regroupement des Pêcheurs Professionnels du Sud de la Gaspésie Inc. (Quebec)
For more information:
Christian Brun
Executive Secretary of the MFU
Tel: (506) 532-2485
E-mail: christian@mfu-upm.com
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• The Maritime Fishermen’s Union (MFU) will require consultations following a 2nd reading of the proposed Federal Fisheries Act C-32
Shediac (NB), March 20, 2008 — The Maritime Fishermen’s Union (MFU), an organization that represents over approximately 1500 inshore fish harvesters in New Brunswick and in Nova Scotia, has supported the overall principles of the proposed Federal Fisheries Act
C-32 in the course of its 31st Annual Convention over the weekend, with a condition that the organization be able to express its positions during consultations.
In regards to the consultations desired, the MFU requires that it be able to express its positions at the level of a Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans following a potential 2nd reading of the proposed Act.
In this regard, the organization has supported the overall text and main objectives while reserving the option to comment on specific aspects of the very thick proposed Act at the next step of the process.
For more information:
Christian Brun
Executive Secretary of the MFU
Tel: (506) 532-2485
E-mail: christian@mfu-upm.com
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• The Maritime Fishermen’s Union (MFU) offers its general support to the proposed Federal Fisheries Act C-32 during its 31st General Annual Convention.
Shediac (NB), March 17, 2008 – It’s under the theme of « The Viability of the Inshore Fishery as an Essential Pillar for the Oceans to Plate Approach » that close to 140 delegates of the Maritime Fishermen’s Union (MFU) from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia met on March 16 and 17 for their 31st Annual Convention.
The Président of the MFU, André Martin, was very satisfied with Convention results. « We debatted many files that were of concern for our fishery. Many had to do with the future of the inshore fishery while others were related to our organization. In general, the event was an indication on how fish harvesters want to progress in a united fashion on both of these fronts in coming years. My colleagues also want to find ways to eventually face and benefit from opportunities linked to an Oceans to plate approach, by initially find a solution to improve the viability of out fleets». All in all, delegates discussed nearly twenty resolutions on a variety of topics and many of them generated animated debate.
A presentation by Deputy Minister Michelle d’Auray of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada and from Kevin Stringer, of the same Department, launched the 2008 Convention. Follow-up presentations by M. John Sackton, Editor of Seafood.com and of the New Brunswick Minister of Fisheries, Rick Doucet, offered some insight and point of view on Oceans to plate.
In the course of Convention, delegates decided to support the overall proposed Federal Fisheries Act C-32, nonetheless without offering an approval of all sections of the Act as long as a final consultation with industry be held. Delegates have also adopted a resolution that underlines the crucial importance of the MFU health plan for New Brunswick fish harvesters and their fear of losing this program. For many, the plan remains a remarkable asset in these difficult times. A resolution from the floor supported fish harvesters from South Eastern N.-B. in order to require that a development project in the Cap-Bimet area respect environmental standards and that it abandons its marina project because it is believed this would have a negative impact on the environment and on the lobster and herring fisheries of that region.
Another important resolution made reference to a requirement by inshore fish harvesters for governments to invest in their industry by means of a solution to rationalization the inshore fishery in order to respond to existing difficulties of the fishery and to set a necessary foundation for the Oceans to plate approach. While representatives of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada reiterated that rationalization would have to be done without a further financial participation of the federal government, the MFU Président, André Martin, affirmed that « the MFU will not drop this cause. We have just approved the proposed Fisheries Act, in essence, under some conditions. Minister Hearn has often repeated that he needed a legal base to respond to industry needs. According to this new position, we are now going to study acceptable options for rationalization with our membership, and later, will meet the Minister to advocate for what we believe is right in the circumstances. »
Christian Brun, the MFU Executive Secretary, explains the following: « The meeting went well and fish harvesters expressed themselves on a variety of subjects that they felt were important. Delegates had the opportunity to have a look at what the Oceans to plate approach could mean and to better understand what might happen in terms of these new powers heading towards consumers and retailers through eco-labelling and certification. Discussions in my opinion were successful in having inshore fisher leadership leave with a better comprehension of a new dynamic around lobster markets and how this could impact them, the way they fish and their own communities. A good example of some definitive actions MFU fish harvesters are already involved with, consists of the Clean Oceans Initiative which aims to create awareness for the fishing industry and for the general public on the negative impact waste causes to the marine environment. Though these types of projects, we hope to create momentum with practical applications… »
Ron Cormier and Haas Lindblad were elected for the respective MFU positions of Vice-Président for N.B. and for N.S. Paul-Aimé Mallet was reelected Secretary-Treasurer of the MFU.
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For more information:
Christian Brun
Executive Secretary of the MFU
Tel: (506) 532-2485
E-mail: christian@mfu-upm.com
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• The Maritime Fishermen’s Union (MFU) is satisfied that a new attempt at Fisheries Act was proposed in Parliament
Shédiac (NB), January 7, 2008 – The Maritime Fishermen’s Union (MFU) is happy to witness the persistence of Minister Loyola Hearn in his quest to modernize the Federal Fisheries Act, a legislative tool that is now going on nearly 140 years old.
Christian Brun, Executive Secretary of the MFU admits to the fact that : « Many fish harvesters have expressed their agreement for the modernization of the Act overlooking the Fisheries, especially following the previous C-45 attempt of 2007 that fell through.
Nonetheless, our members are looking to take a precautionary approach in line with a new Act that could generate immense changes to the fishery they depend on.
Without wanting to unduly delay the process, the MFU require that governments immediately organize a venue and request positions from the industry in form of a workshop or by means of the Standing Committee on Fisheries.
The MFU had not approved the previous C-45 attempt at its last Convention in February 2007 for the lack of time membership had to absorb the new content of over 250 sections of the proposed Act. Notwithstanding the support of the MFU on many sections of the Act, delegates of the 2007 MFU Annual Convention rejected a resolution of support for the C-45 proposed Act judging it necessary to carry out further analysis before an official position could be taken.
Since then, the MFU has met with the Federal Fisheries Minister to explain what elements of the 2007 version were not acceptable for inshore fish harvesters and to propose specific changes. André Martin, President of the MFU, adds that: “The Fisheries Minister has affirmed himself that some concerns of ours have been met in this latest C-32 proposed Act. Now we have to look into the details and give a last chance to the fishing industry to present their positions before the process goes any further.”
In conclusion, the MFU has taken the position in that, because of the nature of the Fisheries Act and the enormous consequences it could have on the inshore fishery, it should be faced with the positions of the industry before it proceeds to a second reading in Parliament. In this regard, the MFU proposes an urgent special meeting of the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans (FOPO) to hear the positions of fishing industry stakeholders.
For more information:
Christian Brun
Executive Secretary of the MFU
Tel: (506) 532-2485
E-mail: christian@mfu-upm.com
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• Lack of transparency at the department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, according to the Maritime Fishermen’s Union (MFU)
Shediac (NB), December 12, 2007 — It’s with consternation that the Maritime Fishermen’s Union (MFU) and the participants at the Southern Gulf Small Pelagics Advisory Committee (SGPAC) event, that took place on December 5 and 6, 2007, have learned that certain data provided by the department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) were wrong – and worst – that the justifications offered to the Committee by DFO, following participants questions, leave doubts amongst the group as per the department’s intentions and at the transparency of its actions.
Doubts surfaced when the Advisory Committee realized that the data supplied by the Department was stating that large seiners have captured 13,000 tons of herring in the ‘Baie des Chaleurs’ and on the Miscou bancs, but the landings of this fleet only show 5,000 tons. Many participants on the Committee have suspected that DFO wanted to inflate the large seiners' catch data by means of a complex conversion system that would hide the catch of small herrings heading for the fishmeal markets – a market that is currently very lucrative for large seiners. DFO, by its behaviour under the approval eye of the province of New Brunswick, seemingly wanted to catch off guard the coastal fishermen and the population in general. They let us believe that the Fall herring stock was in good health while saying that large seiners had captured their quota. On the other side, users of stationnary fishing gears (coastal fishermen) were questionning how they were not able to catch their own and why they had observed that Fall Herrings were more scarce this year than others. If coastal fishermen had known the catch data from large seiners, they would have favoured a more precautionary approach, aimed at the resource availability and, would have appreciated knowing if that biomass calculation was closer to reality.
It is remarquable to think that the herring harvesting industrial approach used by large seiners from the Acadian Peninsula would be brought back to its introductory time in the ‘Baie des Chaleurs’ in the mid-sixties: an industry that fed the fishmeal processing plants at the benefit of commercial interests, instead of an industry that was aimed at fish market sales and reserved for human consumption.
This is a very sad finding according to the MFU, especially in these days and age of increased awareness on the conservation and protection of fish species throughout the World.
« How can we trust the Government », indicated the MFU President, « where 5,000 tons of small herrings are transformed into 13,000 tons of herrings in order to hide the slaugther that is going-on in juveniles herring fish stocks on the ‘Baie des Chaleurs’ and the Miscou bancs. »
Furthermore, according to the President, « this phenomena takes place because DFO institutes improvised policies in Moncton and in Ottawa. »
He adds that: « The question that is at stake is: Will we, a second time, witness the disapearance of Fall herring stocks, as it is presently the case for the Spring herring fisheries? Has the government forgotten past fish stocks failures such as the cod stocks failures of the ’90s, the herring stocks failures in the ‘Baie des Chaleurs’ in the mid-seventies and currently, the Spring herring stocks failures? »
Most of the large seiners in the Gulf region are operated by Newfoundland interests and these people, because of the good price they get for their fishmeal, are interested in the ‘Baie des Chaleurs’ and Miscou bancs, even if the herring from the area is smaller than the regulated size instituted by DFO.
Reports generated by on-vessel DFO observers at the December 5 and 6 meeting demontrate that there had been days when the small herring catches by large seiners were fluctuating between 45 and 50%. Seiners are however repeating to the MFU that they can practice a selective fisherie and can release their catch when there are too many small herrings.
« It has become obvious that great speeches from large seiners on the selective capacity of their fishing gears have taken a big blow. », concludes the MFU President, « without saying a word on the DFO on-vessel observers efficiency at sea and the DFO responsibility towards resources conservation. ».
On another issue, DFO must revise its incoherent large seiners policies in the Southern Gulf to avoid unwanted consequences. Large seiners must not be fishing the small herring stocks in the ‘Baie des Chaleurs’ and on the Miscou bancs, but should instead, practice a balanced approach to the fisheries, in the ‘Baie des Chaleurs’ and as well on the coasts of PEI.
The MFU reminds therefore its position, formulated at the Advisory Council meeting in 2006, that «the lobster fishing grounds be protected all along the NB coast and that the demarcation line imposed on large seiners be the same all around the Gulf, at the 15 brass limit and not at 25 brass such as it is the case around Prince-Édouard Island».
In conclusion, the MFU President indicated that «the decision of the previous liberal government in Ottawa that had forced large seiners to stay out of the 25 brass line around PEI makes it impossible for large seiners around the island and brings the senners closer to our coasts. Federal Fisheries Minister Loyola Hearn has prefered to keep the previous government decision and this policy forces large seiners to fish the major part of the TAC in the ‘Baie des Chaleurs’ and on the Miscou bancs - while these locations are known as sites where juvenile herrings are.
After all, Minister Loyola Hearn should change this policy in order to ensure that all parties are benifitting on the long term from the precious herring industry.
For more information:
Christian Brun
Executive Secretary of the MFU
Tel: (506) 532-2485
E-mail: christian@mfu-upm.com
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• Environment and the MFU Clean Oceans Initiave
The Maritime Fishermen’s Union (MFU) is taking a proactive approach to the health of the environment that feeds their livelihood – the sea. The organization has recently established a Clean Oceans Committee. This sets the stage for future actions and discussions within its own organization, other industry groups as well as the public, on the subject of environmentally responsible fishing.
In keeping with the environmental theme of our 30th annual convention in February of 2007, the MFU unanimously passed a resolution to undertake a new campaign to raise fishermen’s awareness of the importance of a clean environment in collaboration with the different levels of government.
This is not the first MFU initiative on the problem of marine debris and the benefits of a clean ocean. In 1989 the MFU’s Ship to Shore campaign created posters which were placed on wharves, and ran TV and radio ads in an effort to make those using the ocean think about bringing their waste back to shore. The campaign encouraged fishermen to become part of the solution and protect the health of the eco-system on which they depend. This past initiative succeeded in both reducing marine debris, and conveying a clear and lasting message.
The issue of the health of our oceans continues to grow in importance, and in this region, many fish harvesters, Harbour Authorities (HA’s), Government representatives and Non Governmental Organizations (NGO’s) have been meeting to deal with the growing problem of the disposal of frozen bait packaging. The MFU has been actively involved in these discussions and has been instrumental in rekindling interest in this and other environmental issues relating to our oceans. While bait packaging is a significant problem for the local marine environment, our committee sees a need to broaden that focus to one that views clean oceans and responsible fishing practices as basic to a sustainable future for our fisheries.
Clean Oceans Committee
Maritime Fishermen’s Union
(506) 532-2485
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• MFU and First Nations collaborate in lobster seeding efforts in upper Chaleur area
Shediac (NB), August 28th, 2007 — This week, the Maritime Fishermen’s Union (MFU) and three First Nations from the Chaleur area will collaborate together in order to seed approximately 15 000 lobster larvae in the Upper Bay of Chaleur. This initiative aims at helping to maintain lobster stocks in the area.
The lobster larvae are raised in an experimental hatchery by Homarus
Inc., a non-profit company created by the MFU. Its main activities are research and development of lobster hatchery and seeding techniques as well as development of artificial reefs as tools for the restoration and stabilization of lobster stocks.
According to Martin Mallet, Director of Homarus Inc., the seeding project “is not only promising as a tool for the conservation and durability of the resource, but it also serves as a powerful unifying project within the lobster fishing community of New-Brunswick.”
M. Mallet adds that presently, several fishing communities within the MFU are already participating in the project via the seeding of lobsters in their water, but the initiative in the Chaleur region is special in the fact that First Nations and local traditional non-native fishermen are joining together in order to take care of their common lobster resource.
The First Nations participating in the project are Eel River Bar, Listuguj, and Pabineau. They are a part of a consortium, the Gespe’gewaq Mi’gmaq Resource Council (GMRC), which seeks to work with First Nations, landowners, resource associations, and agencies within the region to promote the responsible stewardship of our natural resources through maintaining and creating healthy ecosystems.
The GMRC’s central focus is on aquatic and resource oceans management within the traditional Mi’gmaq district of Gespe’gewa’gi. According to Mark Joseph Sark, CEO of the GMRC “I believe it’s important for all of us to recognize that responsible stewardship is the responsibility of each and everyone”.
Mr. Sark adds that “As a First Nation organization, we are working with various stakeholders in the Bay of Chaleur region in promoting conservation and enhancement related activities. Our work with Homarus Inc., is an excellent example of what groups can do for the resources in the region should they decide to work together.”
Christian Brun, Executive Secretary of the MFU, indicates that “enthusiasm for the project is constantly growing.” However, he adds that “in order to meet the increasing demand from fishing communities for lobster seeding, Homarus will have to step out of a research environment and move up to a, greater capacity, commercial scale hatchery.” To this end, Homarus Inc. is presently undertaking steps with its partners for the development of such a project in New-Brunswick.
Homarus Inc. counts amongst its principal partners the Maritime Fisherman’s Union (MFU), the Department of Fisheries NB; Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO); the Coastal Zones Research Institute (CZRI); Group Blanchard Ready Mix; Orion Seafood and Eel River Bar First Nation.
For more information:
Martin Mallet ou Christian Brun
Tel.: (506) 532-2485
Courriel: shediac@mfu-upm.com
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• Red Lobster's CEO visits Homarus Project
Shediac (NB), August 17, 2007 — The CEO of Red Lobster met with the Maritime Fishermen’s Union (MFU)’s Homarus project on Wednesday August 15th at the Coastal Zone Research Institute in Shippagan for a visit to better understand its background.
Homarus is a project that was initiated by the inshore fish harvesters of East Coast New Brunswick to provide for a new dimension for a sustainable lobster fishery. The project has developed innovative technologies since 2001-02 in the areas of:
• lobster larvae production in a hatchery setting; • transport and seeding in the natural habitat; • research related to artificial habitat;
Homarus activities ultimately aim to improve the natural survival rate of lobster larvae by introducing them into the ocean when they reach the size of a dime, better known as a stage IV level. Since the project’s beginning, 320,000 of these stage IV lobsters were released in their natural habitat in the provinces of New Brunswick and in Nova Scotia.
On a practical note, many inshore fisher communities have themselves gotten involved and invested community funds for the seeding of over 200,000 small lobsters since 2005.
Michel Comeau, biologist of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), also a partner of the project, has affirmed the following when speaking to the survival rate of past Homarus seeding initiatives held in 2004 at the Caraquet test site area:
“We wanted to see if it worked, and to be honest, results have surpassed our expectations”.
As a matter of fact, it was determined by M. Comeau that the small lobster population found on Caraquet seeding grounds are believed to have increased by 400% due to this exercise.
In the light of these new technological advances, growing interest in the work done by Homarus has recently attracted international audiences of the likes of Darden Restaurants (Red Lobster) and others that are considered to be major stakeholders in the North American and international fishing industry.
In sum, the Province of New Brunswick will most certainly have an opportunity to build a closer relationship with Darden Restaurants and possibly with others as a result of the attractiveness of the Homarus project - relationships that could benefit the whole of the New Brunswick fishing industry.
Homarus main partners are: Coastal Zones Research Institute (CZRI), the New Brunswick Department of Fisheries (DoF), the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Blanchard Ready Mix, Orion Seafood and Eel River Bar.
For more information:
Martin Mallet or Christian Brun
Tel: (506) 532-2485
Email: shediac@mfu-upm.com
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