Lobster dispute settled a day after fishermen defy order to remove traps
CBC
A brewing battle between the federal government and lobster fishermen in northern New Brunswick appears to have come to an end.
A federal closure of lobster fishing zones in the Gulf of St. Lawrence off New Brunswick's Acadian Peninsula was being defied by hundreds of fishermen refusing to remove their traps.
But on Thursday afternoon, Serge Cormier, the Liberal MP for Acadie-Bathurst, told CBC News the dispute was over.
"The lobster situation is settled," Cormier said on Facebook. "Thanks to the fishermen's associations who have done an extraordinary job on this issue.
A news release from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans sent Thursday evening says that lobster boats will be able to fish closer to shore.
"I am pleased to see DFO has adjusted the closure requirements and harvesters can now set their traps up to the 10 fathom shallow water protocol management line for the remainder of the 15-day period," said federal Fisheries and Oceans Minister Diane Lebouthillier, in the release.
The closure of several lobster fishing zones off the Acadian Peninsula, set to go into effect Wednesday, would have fully closed several areas for the rest of the season, while forcing others to restrict fishing to shallower depths only.
But Thursday evening's announcement from DFO means that fishermen will not be fully kept out of the previously closed zones.
Lebouthillier also said in the release her meeting with members of the Maritime Fishermen's Union was productive, and that she is convening a meeting of the technical advisory committee on North Atlantic right whales to review existing closure protocols.
Martin Mallet, the executive director of the Maritime Fishermen's Union, said all along the union wanted the depth of the observed right whale to be used to determine where the fishing ban would be implemented.
"It's been resolved," said Mallet. "It's unfortunate [DFO wouldn't] listen to us earlier. All of this would have been avoided."
Deeper areas of the gulf remain closed to lobster fishing.
Several fishing zones in the area were officially shut down early by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans at 5 p.m. Wednesday because of a North Atlantic right whale sighting.
Certain federal restrictions go into effect when there is a danger of whales becoming entangled in gear or being hit by vessels.
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