September 30, 2009
Atlantic Lobster Sustainability Measures
About the Program
• Objective: To assist industry in improving prosperity and long-term resource sustainability through the implementation of sustainability
plans.
• Sustainability plans will include conservation measures as well as restructuring measures which will promote greater viability of the
industry to allow for implementation of conservation measures.
• The Atlantic Lobster Sustainability Measures is an enabling program which will provide seed money to help lever other investments from
harvesters, provincial governments, other.
• The program is intended for all commercial harvesters – both aboriginal and non-aboriginal.
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“The Gate”: Conservation Measures
Industry-developed LFA-wide conservation measures
• May vary LFA by LFA, but would apply to all harvesters in LFA.
• Conservation measures must advance the LFA towards being able to meet sustainability standards, including those of eco-certification processes.
• Sustainability standards are those set out in the FRCC report, DFO Sustainable Fisheries Framework, international agreements (FAO code of conduct) and ecocertification
standards
• Three areas that measures must address: Improved Prospects for Biological Productivity, Reliable Reporting, Reduced Ecosystem Impacts
• Will be reviewed by an Application Review Board, and must be approved by DFO
(DM has signing authority).
• All plans will be evaluated based on the degree to which these measures are implemented within the five years of the program.
• Impact of sustainability measures and degree of implementation within funding proposal timeframes would be considered in determining funding level.
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Program Funding
May be submitted by sub-groups within the LFA (must be a legal entity to receive funding) and would be dependant on implementation of sustainability plan conservation measures
• Potential categories for Funding:
• Conservation / Stewardship (e.g. Innovative approaches to increase compliance)
• Restructuring (e.g. rationalization, trap transfers, etc.)
• Governance (e.g. business planning, attending organizational meetings, etc.)
• Non-eligible for Funding:
• Lobster and seeding hatcheries;
• Expenditures for third party dockside monitoring services;
• Expenditures directly associated with eco-certification process; and,
• Economic loss resulting from implementation of conservation measures.
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Restructuring Measures
• Restructuring measures may be submitted by sub-groups within the LFA (must be a legal entity to receive funding) and would be dependant on implementation of sustainability plan conservation measures.
• Funding could be provided as seed money for retiring licences by leveraging other sources of funding (provincial governments, loans).
• In addition, other innovative restructuring measures would be considered and seed money could be provided (e.g. transferable trap systems, phased trap reductions).
• Funding will be based on fair market-based compensation for licence retirements.
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Program Funding
– Level of funding could depend on:
• Average level of lobster-dependency of LFA
• Economic situation of harvesters in LFA
• Ecosystem health (measured by decreased landings)
• Number of harvesters participating in proposal
• Level of sustainability measures proposed and timing of implementation
– Seed Money
• The program is intended to provide seed money
– For low income LFAs: 25% or 50%
– For other LFAs: 15% or 30%
– Based on eligible costs (up to a notional max for first 2 CFPs)
• In addition, licencing policy flexibilities may also be proposed to further assist harvesters in implementing proposals.
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Program Funding
– Funding Mechanism:
• Funding will be provided through contribution agreements which require that funding flow to a
legally incorporated organization.
• Reporting requirements to ensure implementation of plans will be included in contribution agreements and final payment will only be made once implementation has been
demonstrated
• Documentation will be required for certain eligible expenses (travel, rent, etc)
• In the event of overpayment, or failure to implement the plan, a recovery of funding may occur
– All expenditures under the program must be made during its five-year timeframe.
• Program will be managed to ensure maximum use of available resources.
• A series of calls for proposal will be used to ensure fairness in funding and allow LFAs time to prepare their plans.
• Funding in each proposal period will be dependent on available funds. A notional allotment will ensure available funds for all LFAs during the first 2 CFPs.
• In addition, an LFA could make a second application during the competitive call for proposals
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