Prince Edward Island fisheries minister Kevin MacAdam is accusing the province’s Members of Parliament with blackmail by trying to convince fishermen not to support legal actions against the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans. He said the suggestion that court action could bring fisheries negotiations to a halt is absolute nonsense.
“I am extremely disappointed with the actions and attitudes of Shawn Murphy and the other Island MPs who have suggested that the provincial government is using the lawsuit against DFO for political reasons rather than as a legitimate means of resolving outstanding fisheries issues,” said Mr. MacAdam. “Encouraging fishermen not to support the provincial government’s efforts on their behalf is tantamount to intimidation at best and blackmail at worst.”
Mr. MacAdam said he is disturbed that Murphy and the other MPs are suggesting that continued negotiations are the best way to resolve the issues.
“The provincial government dealt with five different fisheries ministers over the past eight years and not one of the issues has been resolved,” said Mr. MacAdam. “We are no closer to achieving a more fair and equitable allocation of a number of resources than we ever were, and in the case of the herring fishery, the federal government continues to ignore the rights and interests of Island fishermen.”
Mr. MacAdam said that in addition to the legal action being taken by the Prince Edward Island government, four other jurisdictions have also mounted legal challenges on many of the same issues. He said there is growing frustration with DFO on many of its management decisions.
The minister said he questions the motives of the Island’s MPs.
“During the last federal election Island Liberal candidates promised if elected they would get these issues resolved and, to date, no progress whatsoever has been made,” said Mr. MacAdam. “I can only hope that they would devote even one half the efforts they are using to convince fishermen and the provincial government what to do and what not to do and instead, apply those efforts to work with us to help resolve these issues.”
Mr. MacAdam said he will leave it to fishermen themselves to decide who is playing politics with the issue.