May 6, 2020
For Immediate Release:
May 6, 2020
The Prince Edward Island Fishermen's Association (PEIFA) is disappointed in Federal Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan' s decision· to have a number of Gulf Area LFAs set their lobster traps on May 15th 2020.
In March 2020, the Minister stated all fisheries would be opening on their scheduled season start dates unless a formal request was received from an LFA requesting a change of date. In addition, any date change requests would be assessed on an LFA by LFA basis and would require a documented show of support.
Several weeks later the parameters for assessing a season start date changed to include the input of other sectors of industry including buyers and processors.
As season dates have direct impact on a harvester' s earnings and after careful consideration, the PEIFA Board of Directors decided a formal LFA vote was the best way to achieve clarity on season start preferences. A formal vote was conducted between April 17th and 20th
The support for a May 6th start date in LFA 24 was 60.9% and 48.8% in LFA 26A. Historically fishing in these early weeks of May is the most productive lobster fishing time in LFA 24. It is also important to note that LFA 24 also had the support of most but not all of the processing and buying sector to start their season on May 6th.
Over the past several months we know that the landscape in the fishing sector has and continues to change rapidly on a daily basis.
Based on the vote results the Minister should have supported the start date of May 6th for LFA 24.
For more information please contact Ian MacPherson at (902) 394-0457
Telephone: (902) 566-4050
Fax: 902-368-3748
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