QUESTION PERIOD — Fisheries and Oceans
Closure of Fisheries
May 23, 2024
Senator Gold, my region, the Acadian Peninsula in northeastern New Brunswick, is currently facing a “major crisis” due to the closure of an important lobster fishing area. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans made that decision in accordance with the North Atlantic right whale protection measures, but without consultation. Given that the fishery is one of the key economic drivers of the Acadian Peninsula, this decision is having a devastating impact on that region.
Senator Gold, how does the federal government intend to strike a reasonable balance between protecting the endangered right whale, respecting its obligations under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and protecting the interests of the workers and commercial fishers in my region who contribute to the development of our communities?
Thank you for the question. The Government of Canada understands very well the difficulties fishers experience when the presence of endangered whales triggers demanding protocols, such as the removal or relocation of fishing gear. This is a serious problem, and the government is well aware of it. Colleague, the minister responsible will probably appear before the Senate for a ministerial Question Period in the coming weeks. I’ll be sure to draw the minister’s attention to this point, so that she can answer the question in full.
Thank you, Senator Gold. The fishers themselves opted to move their gear. We learned that the minister decided to call an emergency meeting with industry representatives today to help manage the situation. But fishers have been criticizing her for not reaching out to them since the closure was announced.
To avoid the kind of tensions that arose in my region in 1996 and 2003, what will the federal government and the minister do to improve dialogue in the future and improve consultation with the fishers affected by these kinds of decisions?
The minister’s officials are in contact with local leaders and fishing industry representatives, and they are discussing how to proceed. The government will keep looking for a way to strike the right balance between protecting right whales and pursuing fishing activities that are crucial to the economy and coastal communities.
