SENATORS’ STATEMENTS — Tribute to Acadian Lobster Fishers

Honourable senators, yesterday, May 4, at 6 a.m. Atlantic time, people in Acadian communities in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island gathered on wharves, in accordance with physical distancing rules, to pay tribute to the lobster fishers heading out on the water for their first day of fishing.

This annual ritual, which takes place at sunrise, shows what this fishery resource means for Acadians. It is a time of celebration, of course, but above all hope, hope that these fishers will come back with a catch big enough to support their families and contribute to the well-being of their communities.

Every year, as we watch the boats leave the harbour, we think about past generations of men and women who set out to sea, sometimes at the risk of their lives, to feed their families.

In Acadia and elsewhere, fishing is much more than a source of income. Commercial considerations aside, fishing is a way of life, a marker of identity and culture.

I would like to remind you that, before they were deported, Acadians mainly lived as farmers. After they were forcibly removed from their land, those who did not lose their lives in the Great Upheaval settled along the Atlantic coast and turned to the sea for their livelihood.

In his study entitled Pêche et identité en Acadie : nouveaux regards sur la culture et la ruralité en milieu maritime, sociologist P.D. Clarke stated, and I quote:

The Deportation turned Acadian society into a community of fishers out of necessity. Denied access to their previous means of production, the fertile land of the Baie Française, and dispersed in clusters along the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Atlantic coastlines, Acadians ended up working in the fisheries, which were part of a global staple trade long monopolized by companies from the British Isle of Jersey.

Acadians were exploited by big companies for a long time, and it took all their courage and determination to claim their place in an industry that now has a significant economic impact in Canada.

Thanks to fishers, plant workers and exporters, Acadians, Indigenous peoples and all the communities involved in this industry are making a valuable contribution to Canada’s economic development.

Yesterday, as I watched the boats disappear over the horizon, many questions crossed my mind as a senator and lawmaker. How can we protect this tasty crustacean from the effects of climate change? How can we ensure that this precious resource is shared fairly? How can we bring new fishers on board to replace the men and women who will be retiring soon? In a global market, how can we make sure lobster stays available and affordable for our own people?

Most importantly, how can we get all Atlantic communities on the same page with respect to this industry, which is so important to our region?

Canada’s Parliament has a vital role to play here, and it must demonstrate leadership.

Let’s thank everyone who contributes to this industry, and let’s work together to make sure everyone’s rights are respected and the conversation is characterized by peace and solidarity.

Thank you.